Do Heifers Produce Milk?

Like humans, cows only produce milk after they have given birth, and dairy cows must give birth to one calf per year in order to continue producing milk. Typically they are artificially inseminated within three months of giving birth.

Do heifer cows produce milk?

It varies from farm-to-farm, but on our farm, a heifer—young female that has not yet given birth—will calve around 24 months of age. During her pregnancy she will be on her first “lactation,” which simply means time producing milk between each calf.

Why do heifers produce milk?

- It is important for the calf to receive the mother's first milk (known as colostrum) which gives nutrition and contains immunoglobulins to give the calf protection its immune system is still maturing.