Dehorning and disbudding of cattle are among the most common painful procedures in livestock production, and pain management practices vary enormously despite clear evidence that analgesia is effective.
Dehorning and disbudding cause significant acute pain that is largely preventable with available analgesics. The pain response during hot iron disbudding without anesthetic is dramatic — calves vocalize, struggle, and show physiological stress responses. The nerve block effectively prevents the acute pain but requires skill and adds cost. Post-procedural pain lasting hours to days is inadequately addressed by nerve block alone; NSAID administration significantly reduces this component. The welfare case for routine analgesia is clear: it is effective, relatively low-cost, and causes no detectable negative effects. The adoption gap between what is scientifically recommended and what is practiced on farms reflects cost pressure, lack of veterinary engagement, and absent regulatory requirements. Polled genetics offer a long-term solution that eliminates the need for the procedure entirely.