Lameness is one of the most prevalent and painful welfare problems in dairy cattle. Affecting up to 25% of cows in some herds, it represents a major source of chronic suffering that is largely preventable.
Lameness in dairy cows represents chronic, ongoing pain that significantly impairs quality of life. Lame cows lie down more to relieve weight on painful feet, but often cannot access adequate lying space in crowded housing. They are subordinated at feeders, reducing nutritional intake. Fertility drops, creating a cycle leading to early culling. Despite being highly prevalent, lameness is often normalized in farming culture as an unavoidable consequence of dairy production. Evidence shows that proactive management — rubber flooring, regular trimming, prompt treatment, and adequate lying space — can reduce lameness prevalence to under 5% in well-managed herds.