Modern dairy cows are typically culled at 3 to 4 lactations, well short of their natural lifespan, due to production decline and metabolic disease — a welfare and sustainability concern.
The short productive life of modern dairy cows reflects the welfare costs of extreme production demands. Cows that experience repeated metabolic crises, lameness, and mastitis are culled before they reach ages at which they might otherwise be productive and healthy. The welfare paradox is acute: breeding for higher yield creates the conditions that reduce lifespan. Dairy breeds selected for health, longevity, and moderate yield — including Normande, Brown Swiss, and some crossbreds — demonstrate that cows can remain productive into their teens when health rather than peak yield is the breeding priority. Consumer preference for milk from longer-lived herds can shift market incentives toward welfare-positive breeding goals.