Many routine cattle management procedures cause pain that is frequently inadequately managed. Evidence-based analgesia protocols improve welfare for millions of cattle.
Routine cattle management procedures — castration, dehorning, ear tagging, and nose ring placement — cause real and measurable pain. Research using cortisol measurement, pain behaviour scales, and analgesic testing has demonstrated conclusively that these procedures cause significant pain that can last hours to days. The welfare case for analgesia — local anaesthesia before, and NSAIDs for post-procedural pain — is unambiguous and supported by law. The practical barrier is veterinary availability, cost, and the time required for local anaesthesia to take effect. Investment in farm-level competency for routine analgesic use and simplified protocols would significantly improve welfare outcomes.