Lifetime production of Dutch dairy cows rises to 38,327 kg of milk

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 38,327 kg of milk and 3,048 kg of fat and protein. That is 926 kg of milk and 77 kg 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.

Record high lifetime production 

The dairy cows in the Netherlands 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 Dutch dairy farms had produced an average of 38,327 kg of milk with 4.38% fat and 3.57% protein (3,048 kg of fat and protein), 926 kg of milk and 77 kg of fat and protein more than in the previous financial year.

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 100,000 kg 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 10,000 kg 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 29.4 kg of milk per milking day. Last financial year, this was 29.3 kg 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 9,346 kg of milk with 4.45% fat and 3.61% protein, which is equivalent to 753 kg of fat and protein and an economic annual result (EAR) of 2,166. Milk yield was therefore 260 kg higher than it was last year and the fat and protein production was 32 kg 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 average lifetime production of dairy cows in Flanders rose again in the financial year 2022-2023 from 744 kg to 30,910 kg of milk. The lifespan of the cows rose by 9 days. 

Record high lifetime production 

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 30,910 kg of milk with 4.22% fat and 3.48% protein (2,379 kg of fat and protein). This is 744 kg of milk and 58 kg of fat and protein more than in the previous financial year.

The rising lifetime production can also be seen in the increasing number of cows with a lifetime production of more than 100,000 kg 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 10,000 kg 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 30.9 kg per milking day, last year 30.5 kg. 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 9,606 kg of milk with 4.27% fat and 3.51% protein, which is equivalent to 747 kg of fat and protein and an annual economic result of 2,149. Milk yield was 162 kg higher, the fat percentage rose from 4.22% to 4.27% and the protein percentage from 3.47% to 3.51%. The gain in kg of fat and protein therefore amounts to 21 kg.