Routine cattle procedures including castration, disbudding and dehorning require adequate pain management that is often still not provided despite available evidence and products.
Cattle pain management for routine procedures represents a significant welfare improvement that is both available and evidence-based but inconsistently adopted. The evidence that cattle experience pain comparable to other mammals during procedures like castration and dehorning is well established. Effective pain relief products are available, affordable and practical for farm use. The barrier to adoption is primarily attitudinal - some producers do not believe cattle experience significant pain from these procedures, or do not prioritise pain management as a welfare concern. Legislation requiring pain relief creates the most reliable compliance, while training and incentive programmes can shift attitudes and practices in advance of legislation.