Cow longevity has become intertwined with conversations around sustainability, profitability and animal welfare. Since every cow will eventually leave the herd, the real question is whether she has reached the point where replacement makes biological and economic sense. The article will support herd improvement discussions with producers.
Working to reduce transition diseases, improve fertility and prevent involuntary culling is critical to optimizing a cow’s productive lifespan rather than simply keeping her in the herd longer. A productive lifespan is influenced by genetics, replacement availability, market conditions and management decisions.
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 30, 2026. Link.
We want to optimize how long they stay in the herd. Optimize, not maximize. That’s a cow-by-cow decision. Some should leave sooner, some should be around for a very long time because they have earned that and they keep earning it.” – Stephen LeBlanc, BSc(Agr), DVM, DVSc
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