Longevity as a Path to Sustainable Herds and Better Cow Welfare

A cow’s natural lifespan can reach 18 to 20 years, yet in modern dairy production the average cow is kept for only about 5 years. This gap reflects not only lost potential but also the health challenges that cows face throughout their lives.

At Vilofoss we believe longevity is not about simply keeping cows longer. It is about keeping them healthier for longer. When a cow thrives through multiple lactations, it experiences fewer diseases, less stress and a better quality of life. At the same time it contributes to a stronger and more sustainable herd.

Our approach to cow longevity is centered around three areas: transition management, hoof care and udder health.

Transition Management: Securing the Start of Every Lactation

The weeks around calving are the most demanding in a cow’s life. This is when most metabolic and infectious diseases occur. Hypocalcemia, ketosis, retained placenta and metritis can all set off a chain of problems that weaken cows and shorten their productive life.

Ref: Friggens et al., 2004

Ref: Rodriguez et.al, 2017

By stabilizing calcium balance, X-Zelit helps cows face this critical stage in better condition. Farmers using X-Zelit see fewer cases of milk fever, both clinical and subclinical. The benefits extend further: improved colostrum quality, stronger calves, fewer transition diseases and better fertility.

Learn more about the Tramsen family’s farm experience with X-Zelit

Hoof Care: Mobility and Comfort for Longer Life

Lameness is one of the most painful conditions for cows and one of the leading reasons for early culling. Digital dermatitis is a particular challenge, reducing mobility, feed intake and reproduction.Supporting Longevity Every Day

On a German test farm led by Andrea Fiedler, one rear leg of each cow was treated twice a week with HooFoss, while the other was left untreated as a control. After a full year, results showed a clear difference: the untreated control legs continued to show around 25 to 35 percent prevalence of painful lesions, while the HooFoss-treated legs dropped to only 5 to 7 percent. The study confirmed that consistent application can almost eliminate new painful DD cases.

Ref.: Fiedler et al.,2023

In Denmark, a herd of 326 high-yielding cows tested different ways of applying HooFoss over several months. When farmers used manual sprayers, the prevalence of digital dermatitis stayed high at around 25 to 35 percent. From May 2025, the farm introduced an automated KVK Hoof Stepper, which sprayed HooFoss daily. Within just three months, the share of cows with DD dropped below 20 percent. Of those cases, only a few were acute and painful, while most were in a healing phase without inflammation.

Together, these results show that HooFoss is highly effective both under controlled conditions and in large commercial herds. With regular use, especially with automated systems, cows remain more mobile and comfortable, which directly contributes to a longer productive life.

Udder Health: Keeping Mastitis and Somatic Cell Counts Under Control

Mastitis and high somatic cell count are among the main reasons cows leave the herd too soon. Each case of mastitis, whether clinical or subclinical, leaves permanent damage in the udder that reduces milk yield for future lactations.

On dairy farms in Turkey, Professor Dr. Akan investigated the effect of Stalosan F on udder health. Cows were divided into two groups: one treated weekly with Stalosan at the standard rate of 50 g/m² and one left untreated. The treated group showed significantly lower somatic cell counts and fewer mastitis cases. Farmers also noticed healthier udders and more stable milk yield, confirming the practical benefits of regular use.

Study by Prof. Dr. Erkan Gönülol, Turkey.

Longevity also begins in the calf pen. Young calves that suffer from diarrhoea often grow more slowly, reach breeding age later and may produce less milk in their first lactation. Professor Akan also tested Stalosan in calf housing on the same farms. In the control pens, 10 out of 10 calves developed diarrhoea with pathogens such as E. coli, cryptosporidium, and rotavirus. In the pens treated with Stalosan, there were no cases of cryptosporidium or rotavirus and only 4 out of 10 calves developed diarrhoea.

These findings show that Stalosan F supports longevity both by protecting udders in milking cows and by giving calves a healthier start.