Lameness is one of the most common and painful welfare problems in dairy cattle, yet detection and treatment rates remain inadequate on many farms.
Lameness causes chronic pain that reduces welfare and productivity. The gap between actual and farmer-perceived prevalence means many cows go untreated for extended periods. Locomotion scoring programmes, regular professional foot trimming, appropriate cubicle design, and transition cow nutrition management are the evidence-based interventions that reduce lameness burden across herds.