That is a question I read today. The answer will hopefully surprise you. 5 years. The average cow will live for 5 years.
She will be bred at 1-year-old, have her first calf born and stolen within 24 hours of birth at 2-years-old and be dead by age 5.
Dairy cows are not considered "quality meat" and will fill your hot dogs, your ground meat, your dog food.
Diary people will cry bias, that the number is used to make the industry look bad. The Farmer's Wife is one such blogger that will show you a picture of her 8-year-old cow that went to slaughter. 8 years! They aren't all 5!
No, lady, that's why it's called an average. For every 8-year-old cow there is a 2-year-old that died, that is how averages work.
But that isn't the number we should be asking for, is it? The question should be, how long can a dairy cow live.
The answer is, she can live for 25 years, if cared for. If she is not used, worn out, genetically impaired. If she weren't forced through artificial insemination (rape) to have calves before her body is even fully mature.
A cow will continue growing into their seventh year. Their average of death at 5-years-old means their bodies haven't finished maturation. They haven't finished growing.
And the farmers will claim to "love" these animals.
There are people all around the world, teaching cows and steers to be ridden. They can trail ride, jump and even manage Dressage like any horse.
They are incredibly intelligent, able to solve mazes and show deep emotional sensitivity. They respond to stressors both physical and emotional and science has proven that both taking them from their mother too early, and dehorning them without anestetics has life long effects.
They deserve better. If you hunt, go to the grocer to pay others to kill for you, exploit animals, are you able to admit it? You might say you love animals. The reality is, you love pets.
How long does a dairy cow live? 20 years too short a life. That, is the answer.