Lameness in dairy cattle causes chronic pain and is both a major welfare problem and an economic burden, yet prevention remains inadequate on many farms.
Lameness in dairy cattle represents one of the most significant welfare problems in the industry, affecting tens of millions of animals worldwide. Lame cows show behaviors consistent with pain including altered gait, reduced movement, and preference for soft lying areas. The economic case for lameness prevention is strong, yet prevalence remains high because lameness develops slowly and the cost-benefit of prevention investments is not always immediately apparent to individual farmers.