Lameness is one of the most prevalent and painful conditions in dairy cattle, affecting a significant proportion of the UK herd and representing a major welfare and economic problem.
Lameness is chronic pain. Affected dairy cows show gait alterations, reluctance to move, reduced time standing, and measurable physiological stress responses. The prevalence of lameness in UK dairy farming - consistently around a quarter of the herd - reflects an enormous welfare burden. Much of this lameness is preventable through proactive hoof care, appropriate housing surfaces, and cow track management. The economic case for lameness prevention is clear, as lame cows produce less milk and have poorer reproductive performance. Yet prevention investment remains insufficient relative to the scale of the problem, suggesting welfare and economic incentives alone are insufficient without stronger audit and enforcement.