Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cow Longevity and Welfare

Improving dairy cow longevity reduces the welfare costs of early culling through lameness and disease.

Key Facts

Average UK dairy cow lifespan is only 2-3 lactations - far below biological potential
Lameness and mastitis account for the majority of premature culling decisions
Longer-lived cows deliver better returns after recovering the costs of rearing
Breed selection for health traits including fertility and longevity improves outcomes
Hoof health programs and transition cow management are the most impactful longevity interventions

Welfare Considerations

Short dairy cow productive lives reflect welfare failures that cause premature death from preventable conditions. Investing in management practices and genetic selection that extend productive lives improves welfare while aligning with long-term farm economics.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with demonstrably higher herd longevity indicators
Advocate for longevity as a welfare metric in dairy certification schemes
Choose dairy from farms with genetics and management programs promoting cow health