Cows naturally live about 15 to 20 years, with some individuals reaching 25 years or more under good care and conditions. The oldest recorded cow lived up to 48 years, though this is extremely rare

. However, in commercial farming, cows rarely reach their natural lifespan. Dairy cows are typically culled and sent to slaughter around 4 to 6 years old, soon after their milk production declines. Beef cattle are usually slaughtered even younger, often between 1 to 2 years old

. Factors affecting a cow's lifespan include breed, genetics, nutrition, living conditions, health care, and environment. Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger ones. For example, Jersey cows live around 15-20 years, while larger breeds like Holstein Friesians may live 12-15 years

. In summary:

• Natural lifespan: 15-20 years on average, sometimes up to 25 or more
• Commercial dairy cows: typically culled at 4-6 years
• Commercial beef cows: usually slaughtered at 1-2 years
• Factors influencing lifespan: breed, genetics, care, nutrition, environment

Thus, while cows can live two decades or more naturally, farming practices usually shorten their lives significantly