Modern dairy cows are culled at an average of 2-3 lactations despite being capable of 10+ years of productive life, with longevity linked directly to welfare quality.
The short productive life of modern dairy cows reflects chronic welfare failure rather than biological limitation. Lameness causes pain; mastitis causes pain and systemic illness; metabolic diseases cause suffering and weakness. Cows experiencing these conditions are culled not as a welfare decision but as an economic one - treatment cost exceeds replacement cost. This economic calculus reflects a system that externalizes welfare costs. Improving cow longevity requires addressing the root causes of premature culling, which are all welfare-related.