Livestock Welfare

Cattle Mobility Scoring for Welfare Assessment

Mobility scoring systems enable systematic assessment of lameness prevalence in cattle herds, supporting welfare improvement.

Key Facts

Lameness affects 20-40% of dairy cattle in the UK at any one time
Mobility scoring uses a 0-3 or 0-4 scale based on gait, weight-bearing, and posture
Cows with mobility scores of 2 or above are in pain and require prompt treatment
Routine mobility scoring at least every 2-3 months enables early intervention
Herd lameness targets of less than 10% are recommended by leading welfare organisations

Welfare Considerations

Lameness is among the most significant and prevalent welfare problems in dairy farming, causing chronic pain that affects every aspect of a cow's life. Systematic mobility scoring provides objective data to identify high-prevalence herds, track progress over time, and trigger treatment protocols. Without regular scoring, lameness is frequently normalised and undertreated. Mobility scoring should be mandatory as a basic welfare outcome measure.

What You Can Do

Ask dairy suppliers about their herd mobility scoring protocols and lameness targets
Support mandatory mobility scoring requirements in dairy farm assurance schemes
Advocate for veterinary-led lameness control plans on all dairy farms
Choose dairy products from producers with transparent welfare outcome data