Every good cow earns her keep over the years, raising calf after calf and holding her spot in the herd. But time catches up with them all. Fertility slows, milk drops off, and those once-strong calves aren’t quite as sturdy. It’s never easy to see age take hold, but good herd management means knowing when to let them rest and make room for the next generation. Still, keeping a few older cows can be a smart move. They know the land, the water, and the routine, and they help lead younger cows back