Lameness is the most significant welfare and productivity problem in dairy cattle, affecting up to 30% of cows in some herds.
Lameness represents chronic, often severe pain for dairy cows. Animals that struggle to walk cannot access feed and water normally, creating a cascade of welfare problems. Herd lameness rates above 15% are widely considered unacceptable yet persist on many farms. Solutions involve housing design, footing surfaces, nutrition, and early detection programs.