Extending the productive lifespan of dairy cattle starts with excellent health. Cows that feel comfortable, experience low stress, and live in a hygienic environment stay healthy and productive longer. By investing in the right housing and management practices, you can reduce culling rates, improve animal welfare, and increase the return on investment per cow.
In this article, we explore the factors that play a role in improving dairy cow health and how this directly contributes to a longer lifespan.
One of the most important pillars of healthy and high milk production is proper lying behavior. Healthy cows lie down for an average of 12 to 14 hours per day. It is not just the total hours that matter, but also how easily a cow can lie down and stand up.
Better hoof health:
Sufficient rest relieves pressure on the hooves and prevents lameness. Read more about hoof health in dairy cattle.
Fewer hock lesions:
Comfortable cubicles reduce pressure on the hocks and prevent hairless patches. Read our article on preventing swollen hocks.
Higher milk yield:
Every additional hour a cow spends lying down can result in up to 1.59 kg of extra milk per day. Discover more about increasing milk production
For healthy lying behavior, it is essential that a cow wants to lie down and stands up frequently enough. A healthy cow lies down for only 30-45 minutes at a time and stands up about 12-15 times during those 12-14 hours of rest. This is achieved by:
By making cubicles wide and comfortable enough for the entire herd, you prevent older cows from losing precious lying hours.
Stress has a direct negative impact on the health and lifespan of dairy cattle. Chronic stress weakens the immune system, lowers feed intake, and increases the risk of conditions such as lameness and fertility issues.
Read all about optimal cow traffic and barn space!
A hygienic barn environment is indispensable for dairy cow health. Poor hygiene increases infection pressure and the risk of mastitis, hoof problems, and transition diseases.
A clean environment with good manure disposal reduces health risks and supports a longer productive life.
The period around calving (the transition period) is crucial for a cow's longevity. Problems in this phase often have long-term consequences for health and productivity.
Dry cows demonstrably need more space to exhibit healthy lying behavior. By addressing these needs, you not only extend their lifespan but also improve performance in the next lactation.
Improving the health of your dairy herd is not an expense; it is a direct investment in extending productive lifespan and increasing profitability.
Curious how our products can help improve your dairy cow health?
Contact our specialists today. We are happy to help you choose the right barn equipment!