Lameness affects 20-30% of dairy cows at any given time and represents both a major welfare concern and economic burden, with early detection and treatment key to improving outcomes.
Lame dairy cows experience significant chronic pain that affects every aspect of their daily existence - feeding, drinking, social interaction, and reproductive function are all disrupted. Lameness is painful in a direct physical sense but also generates chronic stress from reduced competitive ability at the feed bunk and social subordination. The economic argument for lameness prevention and early treatment aligns with the welfare argument: both require regular locomotion scoring, prompt treatment, and preventive hoof care programs. Farms with welfare cultures that prioritize early treatment have both better welfare outcomes and better economic performance.