The productive lifespan of modern dairy cows has shortened dramatically as genetic selection for milk yield has outpaced adaptation to the metabolic demands of high production, compromising welfare.
The metabolic demands placed on modern high-yield dairy cows create a welfare burden carried throughout the productive life of millions of animals. Frequent metabolic illness in early lactation, lameness from compromised immune function, and premature culling all reflect the welfare costs of maximizing milk at the expense of cow health. Breeding for longevity and robustness alongside production represents a meaningful path toward welfare improvement at scale.