How frequently do cows need to be impregnated to keep up milk supply?

Dairy cows will typically calve every 12 months.

Cows need to have calved (given birth), for milk production to occur. Generally, a dairy cow will calve every 12 months and on average experience four gestations (pregnancies) in their lives.

Australian dairy farms use different calving systems. Some farms have cows calving throughout the year, while others use seasonal calving, with most calves born in spring when pasture is growing well. On seasonal-calving farms, milk production naturally varies across the year, with some periods producing less milk than others. Because farms use different calving systems, these seasonal variations balance out across the industry, helping ensure a consistent supply of fresh Australian milk year-round.