Lameness is one of the most significant welfare problems in dairy and beef cattle, affecting a substantial proportion of animals and causing chronic pain that impacts every aspect of daily life.
Lameness in dairy cows represents chronic pain affecting millions of animals. The condition is particularly welfare-significant because it persists for extended periods without obvious distress signals that prompt human intervention. Lame cows stand for shorter periods, feed less frequently, and show reduced reproductive efficiency - all indicators of compromised welfare. The treatment gap - time between onset and treatment - is a critical welfare metric: farms with systematic lameness detection and rapid treatment protocols have significantly better welfare outcomes. Cow comfort design, including cubicle dimensions, track surface, and lying time, prevents a substantial proportion of cases.