Laminitis in cattle, particularly in high-producing dairy cows, causes significant chronic pain and is one of the most costly welfare problems in the dairy industry.
Cattle laminitis and lameness represent one of the most prevalent welfare failures in commercial dairy farming. A cow walking on painfully inflamed feet experiences chronic, daily pain that affects every aspect of her life - she moves less to reach food and water, is reluctant to compete at the feed barrier, has reduced time lying down, and shows behavioral signs of discomfort. The economic reality that lame cows produce less milk creates market incentives for welfare improvement, but the prevalence of lameness demonstrates these incentives are insufficient on their own. Preventive management including transitioning from concrete to softer flooring, reducing grain feeding rates, providing adequate lying space, and implementing effective foot trimming programs requires upfront investment but substantially reduces the welfare burden of laminitis.