Dehorning and disbudding of cattle are routine procedures with significant welfare costs that can be reduced through better pain management and genetic alternatives.
Dehorning and disbudding welfare represents a solvable problem: genetic elimination through polled breeding, earlier intervention age with appropriate analgesia, and mandatory pain relief for necessary procedures all reduce welfare harm substantially. The commercial availability of polled genetics across major breeds means that systematic transition to hornless cattle is achievable and would eliminate the need for these procedures over time.