Common use of Production Cycle Clause in Contracts

Production Cycle. The primary function of a dairy is the production of milk, which requires a herd of mature dairy cows that are lactating. In order to produce milk, the cows must be bred and give birth. The gestation period is nine months, and dairy cows are bred again four months after calving. Thus, a mature dairy cow produces a calf every 12 to 14 months. Therefore, a dairy operation will have several types of animal groups present, including calves, heifers, mature cows (lactating and dry cows), veal calves, and bulls. The production cycle in the dairy industry begins with the birth of calves which causes the onset of lactation (milk production). A period of between 10 and 12 months of milk production is followed normally by a two-month dry period. The dry period allows for physiological preparation for the next calving. At the time milking normally is stopped, a cow normally will be in the seventh month of a nine month pregnancy. A high frequency of calf production is necessary to maintain a cost-effective level of milk production. The rate of milk production peaks shortly after calving and then slowly declines with time.