Lameness is one of the most significant welfare challenges in dairy farming, causing chronic pain and reduced productivity that requires proactive prevention and treatment.
Lame cows suffer persistent pain that affects their ability to compete for food and water, lie down comfortably, and perform normal behaviours. Many lame cows are not treated promptly, normalising suffering on farms. Chronic lameness suppresses immune function and is a major reason for premature culling. Regular locomotion scoring, prompt treatment, and preventive hoof care programmes are the most effective welfare interventions.