The management of dairy cows during the transition period is critical for cow health, welfare, and subsequent productivity. The Vital 90™ Days, spanning approximately 60 days before calving and the first 30 days of lactation, represents a key window influencing the success of the upcoming lactation. This study aimed to evaluate transition cow management practices related to housing facilities, feeding philosophy, and cow handling using the dRisk™ screening tool. In addition, a targeted analysis of trace elements in bulk tank  milk (Zn, Cu, and Se) was conducted to assess mineral-related nutritional risks. A structured screening tool comprising 65 assessment points was applied on 124 dairy farms, covering 57,211 cows. Risk factors in transition cow management were evaluated, and principal components analysis was used for data exploration. The most frequent nutrition- and feeding-related risks during the far-off and close-up periods included limited access to drinking water, high body condition score, and housing cows and heifers together. Mean concentrations of trace elements in bulk tank milk from a targeted subset of farms (n = 9) were 1.68 ± 0.55 µg ml^-1 for Zn, 0.12 ± 0.05 µg ml^-1 for Cu, and 0.39 ± 0.08 µg ml^-1 for Se, indicating generally adequate mineral supply, although considerable inter-farm variability was observed. In maternity and fresh pens, the most common feeding-related issues were limited access to drinking water, shared housing of cows and heifers, and insufficient bedding space. Ensuring adequate access to water, consistent body condition scoring, and separating heifers from adult cows were identified as the main opportunities for improving transition cow management on Polish dairy farms.