Systematic lameness scoring using validated locomotion assessment tools enables early detection and treatment of lame cattle, dramatically reducing the duration of individual animal suffering.
Dairy cow lameness causes weeks or months of chronic pain before treatment if detection relies on observation of obvious clinical signs. Monthly locomotion scoring of all cows identifies animals at score 2 or early 3 when prompt treatment produces the fastest recovery with least suffering. Farms with systematic scoring programs achieve lower herd lameness prevalence and shorter individual lameness duration than farms relying on observation alone. Investment in locomotion scoring programs is one of the highest return welfare and economic investments available to dairy producers.