My neighbor has an older cow that can’t produce anymore and asked me how long cows live. He doesn’t want to sell it at auction because his kids are attached to it. But keeping a cow year after year can get expensive. Of course, most cows in the U.S. don’t live to a natural death because they are used for other purposes.
The average cow naturally lives for 15-20 years, although it can live longer! However, a cow’s actual lifespan will depend on its purpose. For example, beef and dairy cattle have very different life lengths.
How long do domesticated cows live? In the wild, cows generally live until 26 years, on average, and assuming no predators get them. Domesticated cows live between 18-22 years, but few cows die of old age. Beef cattle either live until 1-2 years, when many beef cattle are butchered for the market, or between 5-6 years, when cows and breeding bulls are culled. Most dairy cows live for around six. Cattle are generally culled or butchered when their productivity declines to maintain the profitability of the farm. Miniature cows are generally raised as both pets and for production and have an average lifespan of about 18 years.
It may sound simple, but within each industry, gender, and purpose, the time that cattle are kept depends on various factors. Let’s dive into those.
How Long Do Beef Cows Live?
Meat or beef cows live for 1.5-2 years. The natural life of beef cattle is between 15-20 years, but in the commercial beef industry, steers are usually slaughtered before they reach two years old. Heifers and cows (female cattle) often live for between 5-6 years as they breed to produce the next generation of beef cattle.
Beef cattle are weaned from their mother’s milk at 4-6 months of age. Male calves that will be raised for meat and not breeding will be castrated at 3-4 weeks old. Female calves, or heifers, will be bred at around 15 months old to produce the next generation of meat cows.
After weaning, beef cattle will be either grass or grain-fed until they weigh 1000-1200 pounds. When they reach their target weight at 18-24 months of age, the cows are considered “finished” and sent to the slaughterhouse. There all animals should be killed humanely under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Whilst the majority of their bodies are used for meat. Other parts are used for the production of leather as well.
Dairy Cow Lifespan
Dairy cows have an average lifespan of six years. The natural lifespan of dairy cattle breeds is between 15-20 years. However, milk production decreases after six years, and cows are usually sold off or slaughtered. The male dairy cattle are either used for breeding or disposed of. Breeding bulls live for 10-15 years. And the other bull calves are either slaughtered or sold to homesteaders.
Dairy cattle are weaned off their mother’s milk at 4-8 weeks of age. Then they are fed starter grain up until 6 months old. At that point, they are moved on to an adult diet of protein-rich feeds. Dairy farmers aim to have their cows gaining over one pound of weight per day. At this point, and they should have their first calf between 1 and 2 years of age. Like humans, female cows are pregnant for around nine months.
When mothers have their first calf, they will start producing milk. Mothers produce milk for 10 months after giving birth. In peak production they can produce 6 – 10 gallons of milk per day. From then on, they should be having one calf per year.
Female calves born on dairy farms will be the next generation of milking cattle. Some male calves will be sold into beef farms.
Female cows are generally fertile until 8-10 years of age. However, their milk production generally slows down after their third calf. Because of this, dairy cows are typically sold to families or sent to the slaughterhouse at around 6 years old. A “lower production” cow may give 3.5 gallons of milk a day, instead of 4, and can make a perfect dairy cow for a family.
Diseases that affect a cow’s ability to reproduce and/or produce good quality milk, such as the bovine viral diarrhea virus, can also cause dairy farmers to retire a cow early.
How Long Do Bulls Live?
Studs or bulls used for breeding typically remain in the herd for 5 years. They are usually the calves of beef cows and are used for breeding more cows for beef and dairy production. Bulls become fertile at 12 months old and can remain in action until they are 10-12 years old. That’s important because once a bull is infertile- he is usually either sold or slaughtered.
In beef farming, over 90% of studs mate and impregnate females naturally.
In dairy farming, most pregnancies occur through artificial insemination. Mating bulls and those used for artificial insemination both tend to suffer injuries and develop health conditions due to their lifestyle that stops them from being able to breed well. Hoof injuries and arthritis are common ailments for breeding cows.
On average, stud cows are retired aged 5. They are usually sent to the slaughterhouse for beef production. The general advice from farmers is to keep a stud active as long as they are fit to breed or until the herd is full of his daughters! Farmers should keep their studs in good conditions to prevent health and temperament problems.
Miniature Cow Lifespan
Miniature cows are about half the size of regular cows and have a similar natural lifespan of around 17-18 years. Unlike regular-sized cows, most mini cows tend to fulfill their natural lifespan. That’s because 80% of these cuties are kept as pets, and those that aren’t are farmed on a much smaller scale.
Miniature cows are found in various parts of the world and have a sweeter temperament than regular-sized cows. The smallest and original breed is the Australian Lowline, which stands between 100 – 110 cm tall and weighs between 323 – 400 kilograms, depending on the gender of the cow.
There are currently nine recognized active breeds of miniature cow, although American breeder Richard Gradwohl claims to have developed eighteen more. Some are traditional breeds, while others have been selectively bred more recently.
Miniature cows were originally the unexpected result of a scientific experiment. However, their size makes them a popular choice for small-scale farms. They are less expensive to keep as they require less feed and space to live.
All that said, they still produce a lot of goods! Mini cows used for dairy can produce 1-2 gallons of milk per day, depending on the breed. They also make good quality meat and are easier to handle and breed due to their temperament. They produce less methane gas, too, which is a plus for environmentally-minded farmers.
Miniature cows tend to live longer than regular-sized cows, and not just because most are kept as pets. Miniature meat and dairy cattle are farmed on a much smaller scale, with less demand, and the commercial approach is not always necessary. Whilst they don’t live to their full life expectancy, they tend to get a lot closer to it than regular-sized farm cows.
Do miniature cows have any health problems?
Miniature cows are generally very healthy and don’t face many issues that miniatures of other breeds face.
The one condition they are more likely to inherit is Chondrodysplasia, commonly referred to as the bulldog gene or dwarfism, which manifests as a physical malformation. It is typically passed on genetically but can be a result of environmental factors.
The recessive gene causes the nose to appear pushed inwards, much like a bulldog, increasing the likelihood of respiratory issues. It can also cause abortion and stillbirth in females.
The Dexter breed is the most common breed known to carry the condition. Both parents must carry the gene to produce a calf with the condition. However, there is still only a 25% chance of passing it on, and it is a relatively rare condition.
It’s also easy to test for the gene. Vets can perform a test via a blood sample, and tests can determine whether a cow or calf carries the gene. We strongly encourage any budding buyers of a miniature cow to test for the gene before purchasing.
Average Cattle Lifespan Table
| Type of Cattle | Average Years of Life |
| Beef Cattle (Steers) | 1.5 years |
| Beef Cows | 5-6 years |
| Beef Bulls | 5-6 years |
| Dairy Cattle | 6 years |
| Dairy Bulls | 6-7 years |
| Dairy Steers | 6 months – 1.5 years |
| Pet Cows | 15-20 years |
| Miniature Cows | 17-18 years |
How Long Cows Live FAQs
What diseases affect cattle? Diseases that can affect cows include bluetongue, botulism, bovine tuberculosis, bovine viral diarrhea, brucellosis, mad cow disease, foot and mouth disease, and Johne’s disease.
To minimize the chances of illness, all of the cows kept on a farm should be vaccinated against common diseases and kept clean. Cows that die naturally or have to be euthanized due to disease should not be used for beef production, as their meat could be contaminated and unsafe for human consumption.
How are farm cows killed? The most common way slaughterhouses kill cows is by throat-cutting. Under the Humane Slaughter Act of 1958, amended in 2002, all livestock animals sent to the slaughterhouse must be completely sedated and unable to feel pain before being killed. This is to minimize the suffering and pain felt by the animals. Electronarcosis or stunning is the most common method of sedation for cows.
What happens if a cow dies naturally? If a livestock cow dies from natural causes such as disease, old age, or injury, farmers should report it to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To dispose of the body, you can contact a local rendering service, a list of which can be found on the USDA’s website. Alternatively, you may be able to bury it in some states if you follow local requirements.
How long do cows live as pets? Pet cows generally live an average of 18-20 years, a full natural lifespan. As pets, they are well taken care of, health issues are addressed, and they have a purpose other than pure food production. Many small farms and homesteaders prefer to allow a family cow to live out its life naturally on a pasture, even after milk production or breeding abilities have dwindled.
How long do cows produce milk? Cows can produce milk for between 12-15 years, but their milk production decreases after six years. Milk production usually increases around years two and three, peaking at year five. For many homesteaders, an older cow is preferable because it will still produce more milk than the average family drinks.
How long do beef cows live before slaughter? Beef cows generally live for one to two years before they are slaughtered. An exception to that is grass-fed and finished beef cows live for as many as three or four years because it takes longer to finish cattle on grass instead of corn or other grains. That’s one of the reasons grass-finished cattle cost more in the store.
Recommended Cattle Supplies (And Dairy Supplies)
This list contains affiliate products. Affiliate products do not cost more but helps to support BestFarmAnimals and our goal to provide farm animal owners with accurate and helpful information.
This shelter is pretty easy to put together and it shelters a good number of cows. It’s sturdy and can withstand our high winds and heavy snows. And it’s cheaper than a barn and easier to build.
Colostrum is critical for calves. If you aren’t able to get some from your cows, this is a quality supplemental colostrum.
Probiotic for cattle with digestion issues in a oral tube. It works for other ruminants and is safe for goats, but is formulated especially for cattle.
A halter to lead Bessie around. This show halter also works for kids showing for 4H.
All Stock Feed is on Amazon, but you’ll pay less if you find it at your local feed store. It’s a great feed for cattle.
Electrical rope for your fencing. This keeps cattle in, but goats, alas- not so well.
Dairy Cow Recommended Supplies
Disposable towels or wet wipes are the first step in cleaning the udders.
Teat Dip and a dip cup are essential for keeping your milk clean. It lasts a while. Mine usually lasts a year to a year and a half.
I use a stainless steel bucket when I milk because it’s easy to clean and carry. These are my preferred milk filters and I use them for cow and goat milk.
This large jar funnel stays much more stable than regular funnels and can handle larger milk volumes.
I like this grain feeder while milking and use this size for the cows and goats being milked.
Balm ointment for sore udders. This cream is popular for people but formulated and created for cows’ udders.
Mastitis Test detects mastitis.
Conclusion
Back to my neighbor, after speaking with his kids, he decided that the joy they get out of their bull is worth the extra land it takes to raise it on a pasture. Because he has many acres, it doesn’t cost him much in feed- just effort to care for it.
To find learn more about when to cull and how long to keep older cattle in your herd, check out A Bulls Ability To Breed Cows: Ratio Timing and Strategy.