Farm Animal Pain Recognition Training

Recognising pain in farm animals is a skill that prevents prolonged suffering. Training programmes that improve stockperson recognition of pain indicators are high-impact welfare interventions.

Key Facts

Pain recognition in farm animals relies on composite pain scales integrating multiple behavioural cues
The Cambridge Pain Scale (CPS) for dairy cattle combines posture, movement and facial expressions
Training stockpersons in pain recognition improves treatment rates and reduces duration of suffering
Only 50% of lame cows are treated with NSAIDs even when identified, suggesting knowledge gaps
Facial expression scales (grimace scales) have been validated for cattle, pigs, sheep and rabbits

Welfare Considerations

Pain recognition is the gateway to pain treatment. Farmers who cannot recognise subtle pain signs leave animals suffering unnecessarily. Training programmes that use video, in-person demonstration and feedback improve recognition of composite pain indicators across multiple species. Farm health plans that include pain recognition competency as a standard component ensure all staff can identify and report animals requiring treatment. Regular refresher training maintains skills and addresses the natural tendency to normalise pain signs seen in daily work.

What You Can Do

Complete the AHDB or farm welfare organisation pain recognition training for your species
Install the relevant grimace scale poster in the farm office as a reference tool
Include pain recognition competency in all new stockperson induction training
Establish a farm protocol for reporting and treating identified pain promptly
Engage a farm vet to provide annual pain recognition refresher training and case reviews