Modern dairy farms increasingly rely on technology to detect cow estrus, but the underlying reproductive management system raises important welfare questions about the stresses of repeated pregnancy cycles.
The reproductive management of dairy cows is inseparable from their overall welfare. The cycle of continuous pregnancy, calving, calf separation, and milking places enormous physiological demands on cows. High-yielding genetics create cows whose milk production diverts resources from reproductive function, making conception harder and requiring more interventions. Welfare-positive systems allow longer calving intervals, minimize hormonal interventions, allow calf-cow contact, and consider retirement rather than culling for cows with reproductive problems. The welfare of the reproductive cycle must be considered holistically alongside milk yield metrics.