Systematic welfare monitoring programs including dag scoring, locomotion scoring, and body condition scoring enable evidence-based management improving sheep welfare.
Systematic welfare monitoring in sheep farming transforms welfare management from reactive response to proactive prevention. Farms using regular validated welfare scoring identify problems at subclinical stages when intervention is most effective and welfare harms are least severe. Body condition scoring identifies nutritional welfare issues before emaciation, locomotion scoring catches lameness before it becomes severe, and dag scoring guides flystrike prevention timing. Certifier-required welfare monitoring creates a consistent evidence base for continuous welfare improvement across participating farms.