Foot problems including digital dermatitis, sole ulcers, and white line disease cause chronic lameness that is the primary welfare problem in dairy cattle. Prevention through housing, nutrition, and hoof care significantly reduces incidence.
Cattle foot health management is among the highest-priority welfare interventions in dairy farming given the 25% average lameness prevalence and the chronic pain lameness causes. Digital dermatitis in particular has become endemic in many dairy herds due to the combination of stocking density, wet conditions, and inadequate treatment protocols. Effective control requires a whole-herd, systematic approach including footbathing, individual treatment of affected animals, and housing modifications to reduce wet underfoot conditions. The economic case for lameness control is strong — lame cows have significantly reduced milk production, shorter productive lives, and higher culling rates.