Lameness is the most economically significant and welfare-compromising health problem in dairy farming, affecting up to 30% of cows in intensive systems.
Chronic lameness causes daily pain that affects every aspect of a cow's existence — how far she can walk, whether she can access food and water, and her ability to participate in social interactions. Cows prioritize access to pain-relief medication over food when both are available, confirming the genuine suffering that lameness causes. Prevention through flooring, foot bathing, and regular trimming is more effective and more humane than treatment.