Lameness affects 20-30% of dairy cows in many herds and represents the most widespread welfare problem in the dairy industry globally.
Dairy lameness is arguably the most serious welfare problem in terms of prevalence and individual suffering of any farmed animal condition. A lame cow is in chronic pain — her gait scoring reflects her physiological state, and lameness severity correlates directly with pain indicators and behavioral changes consistent with suffering. The extraordinary fact that lameness prevalence varies from under 5% to over 50% between dairy herds demonstrates that most lameness is preventable through management. Concrete flooring, inadequate space, and poor hoof trimming programs are the primary modifiable risk factors. Effective lameness monitoring programs — including routine locomotion scoring — catch cases early when treatment is most effective. The welfare case for lameness reduction aligns fully with the productivity case.