The training veterinarians receive in farm animal welfare significantly influences their ability to recognise and address welfare problems on farm, and reforms are needed in many veterinary curricula.
Vets are positioned as key welfare guardians on farms, but they can only fulfil this role if their training prepares them effectively. Pain recognition in stoic farm species - cattle, pigs, sheep - requires specific education that has historically been underemphasised. Commercial pressures on farm vets can create reluctance to challenge poor welfare when farms are also clients. Strengthening welfare content in veterinary education, supporting vets in welfare enforcement roles, and protecting whistleblowing vets from retaliation are important system-level welfare improvements.