Lameness is one of the most prevalent and painful welfare problems in dairy cattle, affecting an estimated 25% of the UK dairy herd at any time and requiring systematic prevention approaches.
Dairy cow lameness represents one of the most significant welfare failures in commercial animal agriculture, combining high prevalence with genuinely painful conditions affecting locomotion and posture throughout the affected animal's daily life. A lame cow experiences pain with every step, reduces lying time (itself a welfare indicator), and has impaired ability to compete for feed and water in group-housed systems. The welfare and economic case for systematic lameness prevention is well-established, yet prevalence remains high across the industry. Effective prevention requires integrated management: appropriate lying surfaces, regular foot trimming, good nutrition, dry cow management, and prompt treatment of identified cases.