In the financial year 2022-2023, the average lifespan and lifetime production of dairy cows in the Netherlands has continued to rise. Last financial year, the culled cows produced an average of 84,319 pounds (38,327 kilograms) of milk and 6,706 pounds (3,048 kilograms) of fat and protein. That is 2,037 pounds (926 kilograms) of milk and 169 pounds (77 kilograms) of fat and protein more than in the previous financial year. The lifespan of the culled herd book cows rose by almost three weeks, to 2,255 days. This emerged from the annual milk recording statistics of the CRV cooperative (Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023). 

Many more '100-tonners' and '10-tonners' 

The rising average lifetime production can also be seen in the increasing number of cows with a lifetime production of more than 220,000 pounds (100,000 kilograms) of milk. Last financial year, 4,707 dairy cows in the Netherlands passed this milestone, there were almost 750 fewer in the previous financial year. The number of cows with a lifetime production of more than 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms) of fat and protein also rose significantly: from 297 to 406. 

Almost a month longer extra productive lifespan

The higher lifetime production is partly due to a 22-day longer lifespan. The productive lifespan – the number of days between the first calving date and the last sampling date – increased by 27 days, a little more, mainly due to a four-day shorter date of first calving. This year, the production of the culled Dutch cows was an average of 65 pounds (29.4 kilograms) of milk per milking day. Last financial year, this was 64 pounds (29.3 kilograms) of milk. The calving interval remained stable at 408 days. The average Dutch MPR farm had 113 dairy cows in the past financial year, four more than in the previous financial year. 

More milk with higher components

Following a fall during the past financial year, the average milk production per lactation in the past financial year had risen again. The rolling annual average for the 11,870 Dutch MPR farms that are eligible for ranking (394 fewer farms than in the previous financial year), came out at 20,561 pounds (9,346 kilograms) of milk with 4.45% fat and 3.61% protein, which is equivalent to 1,657 pounds (753 kilograms) of fat and protein and an economic annual result (EAR) of 2,166. Milk yield was therefore 572 pounds (260 kilograms) higher than it was last year and the fat and protein production was 70 pounds (32 kilograms) higher. This latter increase was also due to higher components. The fat percentage rose by 0.07%, and the protein percentage by 0.06%. 

Lifetime production of Flemish dairy cows continues to rise 

The dairy cows in Flanders have never previously achieved a higher lifetime production than over the past financial year, from September 2022 to September 2023. Over their lifetime, the cows culled from Flemish dairy farms had produced an average of 68,002 pounds (30,910 kilograms) of milk with 4.22% fat and 3.48% protein (5,234 pounds [2,379 kilograms] of fat and protein). This is 1,637 pounds (744 kilograms) of milk and 128 pounds (58 kilograms) of fat and protein more than in the previous financial year.

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MPR, melkcontrole, milk recording. Photo provided by CRV.

The rising lifetime production can also be seen in the increasing number of cows with a lifetime production of more than 220,000 pounds (100,000 kilograms) of milk. Last year, 173 Flemish cows passed this milestone, there were 140 in the past financial year. In the past financial year, six Flemish cows achieved a lifetime production of more than 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms) of fat and protein. In the past financial year, there were four. 

Nine days longer lifespan

The higher lifetime production is partly due to a nine-day longer lifespan. The productive lifespan – the number of days between the first calving date and the last sampling date – increased by 13 days, mainly due to a four-day shorter date of first calving. The culled Flemish cows also produced more milk. This year, an average of 68 pounds (30.9 kilograms) per milking day, last year 67 pounds (30.5 kilograms). The average calving interval of the cows decreased by one day to 402 days. The average Flemish MPR farm had 109 dairy cows in the past financial year, four more than in the previous financial year.

More milk with higher components

The average milk production per lactation in the past financial year had also risen. The rolling annual average for the 1,588 Flemish MPR farms that are eligible for ranking (40 fewer farms than in the previous financial year), came out at 21,133 pounds (9,606 kilograms) of milk with 4.27% fat and 3.51% protein, which is equivalent to 1,643 pounds (747 kilograms) of fat and protein and an annual economic result of 2,149. Milk yield was 356 pounds (162 kilograms) higher, the fat percentage rose from 4.22% to 4.27% and the protein percentage from 3.47% to 3.51%. The gain in kilograms of fat and protein therefore amounts to 46 pounds (21 kilograms).