The aim of the article is to remind us of the biological basis (reason) for milk production, namely that a dairy cow is, first and foremost, a mammalian mother. It also offers the reflection that greater involvement of basic biology (i.e., more „zoo“ than „techniques“ from the zootechnical profession) can be functional and beneficial. It is necessary to seriously consider that the poor reproductive parameters and short lifespan of today’s high-yielding dairy cows are also due to overlooked and underestimated behaviors and evolutionarily formed biological laws and decision-making processes. What we tend to collectively label as „reproductive disorders“ may actually be responsible and self-preserving parenting planning by cows, which we subject to enormous stress that they cannot handle physically or mentally. Understanding these principles and incorporating them into breeding management and reproductive strategies has enormous potential to optimize (sustainably) milk production, dramatically extend the productive life of dairy cows, improve their reproduction, and generally enhance the welfare of dairy cattle. It can be assumed that a higher number of lactations will reduce the ecological burden of dairy farming, and the reduction in production in the first production years will be compensated by increasing production in healthy older animals, with meaningful farm economics and a more favorable public perception.