What is the average age a dairy cow lives to?
Most dairy cows in a milking herd are between 4 to 7 years old, although cows can live up to 20 years in some cases, but this is less common.
Although dairy cattle can live up to 20 years, this is more the exception than the rule. Most dairy cows in a milking herd are between 4 and 7 years old, but it’s not uncommon for some to reach 8 years or older.
The Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Report 2017 shows the age structure of the Australian dairy herd (2016-2017) to be approximately: two to three years old 42%, four to five years old 30%, six to seven years old 18%, and eight years and older 10%.
Despite the efforts dairy farmers put into caring for their cattle, dairy cows of any age can develop health and physical issues which may shorten their time in the milking herd.
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