Routine livestock procedures including castration, dehorning, and tail docking cause significant pain that is often managed inadequately; evidence-based pain protocols represent a key welfare improvement opportunity.
The gap between available pain management tools and their uptake on farm represents an unnecessary burden of suffering for hundreds of millions of animals. Barriers include habit, cost perception (often overstated), and the mistaken belief that animals don't feel pain as acutely as humans. Education, legislative requirements, and veterinary leadership can close this gap.