Extending Lifespans and Length of Lactations

Dutch dairy farmers are increasingly interested in keeping cows productive for longer, as this may benefit farm economics, animal welfare, and environmental impact. The lifespan of dairy cows depends on cow health, management practices, and farm characteristics. In interviews, farmers with older cows emphasized cow robustness and cost efficiency, while farmers with lower cow lifespans focused on maximizing milk yield and a broad range of improvement factors. Moreover, the availability of replacement heifers influences culling decisions. The number of potential calves for replacement can be reduced by for example an increased use of beef breed inseminations, but also by fewer calvings through extended lactations. This presentation examines cow lifespan in Dutch dairy farms, and focuses on extended lactations and their effect on milk production, cow health, and economics.