High-producing dairy cows face severe metabolic stress around calving, leading to widespread disease, reduced productive life, and premature culling from herds.
Intensive dairy production creates a cycle where cows are bred and managed for maximum milk yield at the cost of their health and longevity. The metabolic demands of producing up to 50 liters of milk daily exceed what the body can sustain without significant disease risk. Lameness is often chronic and undertreated, representing one of the most significant welfare issues in dairy farming globally.