Hi everyone,

We’re all familiar with the one-calf-per-year routine on most farms, it’s been the standard for ages. But research out of Wageningen University is digging into whether there might be real benefits in not rushing to rebreed cows and instead extending the lactation period. And what's really interesting: this time, the focus is not just on the mother cow — it's on the calf too. 

 The Big Question:

What happens to the calf when you let the mother cow stay in milk longer before breeding again? In other words, does extending the Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP) after calving (from the standard ~50 days up to 125 or even 200 days) impact the health, growth, or future milk performance of her female calves?

What They Did:

Researchers looked at cows grouped by three different VWPs:

1. 50 days (standard)

2. 125 days

3. 200 days

They tracked the female calves from these groups from birth all the way into their first lactation, looking at:

- Birth weight and colostrum quality

- Growth and immunity in early life

- Metabolic health

- Fertility (estrus and insemination)

- First lactation milk performance

They took regular blood, milk, and colostrum samples, and used advanced metabolomics (a deep dive into the calves' metabolism) to see what was going on under the surface.

Why It Matters (For Farmers):

Healthier cows: Skipping the yearly calving cycle might reduce stress, health risks, and vet costs.

Longer productive life: Less wear-and-tear from calving means cows stay in the herd longer — which is good for welfare and economics.

Calves may benefit too: The study aims to see if calves born to cows on extended lactations are healthier, better grown, and more robust when they eventually start milking

What We Can Take Away:

Calving every year might not be the only or best option.

There’s real value in thinking of cow AND calf as a package, what helps the dam might shape the heifer's entire future.

It all ties into our goals: healthier cows, fewer problems, and more sustainable farming.

We know every farm is different, and this isn’t about replacing good management, but it’s exciting to think about what’s possible when we look at the whole life cycle of the animals in our care.

 Let’s Talk:

Have you tried extending your voluntary waiting period? Feel free to share thoughts, experiences, or questions below — let’s make this practical!

 Based on research by: Wang et al., Burgers et al., Ma et al. at Wageningen University & Research: Extending lactation length of dairy cows: effects of mother on baby - WUR