Extending the productive lifespan of dairy cows improves welfare by reducing the number of replacement heifers needed and allowing cows to reach optimal physical maturity before peak production.
Premature culling of dairy cows represents both a welfare and sustainability failure. Young cows that are culled after one or two lactations have not recovered the welfare costs of their first calving and have not reached their physiological prime. Extending cow longevity requires investing in hoof health, udder health, reproductive management and comfortable housing - all of which also directly improve welfare throughout the cow's productive life.