Does a cow need to calf in order to produce milk ?

Question

and do they need to continue to breed in order to continue to produce milk?

Answer 1

yes. and yes.  

Answer 2

Yes they do, just like all mammals, and a cow will if continually milked will produce milk for 6 months. But its best to breed back  as soon as possible so there is no let up in the milk production. That is if that's what you want to do.

Answer 3

I thnk they need a calf to start producng milk. If you milk them everyday she'll keep producng mlik until you stop milkng her.

Answer 4

It is the same as humans. Woman only produce milk after they have given birth for their babies. It is the same for cows, once a heifer has had her first calf she becomes a cow and she begins to produce milk, she is milked 2-3 times a day for many months a month or two into this she is bred again but remains milking throught much of the pregnancy then is dried off (meaning producing no more milk)  and given a 2 month break right before she is has her next calf where they start the cycle over again

Answer 5

Yes, just like every Mammal.  She must get pregnant to have milk.  The gestation period for a cow is 9 months and she will be bred back within a few months to maximize her milk production.  And theoretically she will continue to produce milk for a longer time if continually milked but the volume will drop off and the nutritional value will also decline until eventually the milk will be just a watery substance if she does not have a baby, or what is known as freshen.

A cow must freshen before it will begin to produce milk and averages 6 gallons of milk per day after the first freshening, working up to 8 to 10 gallons per day by the third freshening at age 6 and then leveling off. The cow gives milk 10 months out of the year with a 2 month break right before they freshen.