Average dairy cow lifespan in industrial systems is 4-5 years - far below natural lifespan of 20 years - with welfare implications for animals culled at peak productivity due to disease, injury, or economic inefficiency.
The short productive life of dairy cows reflects a welfare calculus in industrial systems that prioritizes throughput over individual animal wellbeing. Animals culled for mastitis, lameness, or reproductive failure may have been suffering for weeks or months before the economic decision to remove them is made. Welfare-positive dairy farming invests in transition cow management, preventive health programs, and genetic selection for health traits that extend productive life by reducing disease incidence. Extended longevity programs benefit both animal welfare and farm economics - a convergence that can drive adoption more effectively than welfare arguments alone. Consumer transparency about herd culling rates could drive market incentives for longevity.