Modern dairy cows are typically culled at 3-5 years of age despite a natural lifespan of 20 years, raising significant animal welfare and sustainability questions about current production practices.
The short productive lifespan of dairy cows reflects cumulative welfare costs of high-production systems. Metabolic diseases like ketosis and hypocalcemia are endemic because cows are pushed to produce milk far beyond what natural biology supports. Lameness affects 25-50% of cows in intensive systems. Mastitis is the most common reason for emergency culling. Each of these conditions represents significant pain and suffering experienced by millions of animals annually. Early culling might appear to end suffering but it also reflects systems in which suffering is normalized rather than prevented. Prioritizing cow longevity requires addressing the root causes of poor welfare.