Most dairy cows are culled after 2-3 lactations despite potentially living 20 years, and improving productive longevity is both a welfare priority and an environmental benefit.
The short productive lives of modern dairy cows reflect a system optimized for peak output rather than sustained health and welfare. Chronic lameness, repeated mastitis, and reproductive problems are both welfare burdens and reasons for early culling — creating a cruel feedback where welfare failures lead to premature death. Farms that prioritize cow comfort, preventive health, and longer productive lifespans achieve better welfare outcomes and often better economic performance over time. Retailers and certification bodies that track and reward herd longevity metrics incentivize the right management priorities.