Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Lameness Welfare Five-Point Plan

Lameness is one of the most significant welfare problems in dairy cattle, and structured five-point plans provide a systematic approach to reduction.

Key Facts

Dairy cow lameness prevalence ranges from 10-50% on commercial farms
Lameness causes pain, reduced feeding time, social disadvantage, and reduced reproduction
The Five-Point Lameness Control Plan includes routine mobility scoring, footbathing, trimming, prompt treatment, and nutrition
Regular locomotion scoring using validated scales enables problem farms to be identified
Lameness costs the dairy industry financially while causing avoidable animal suffering

Welfare Considerations

Lame cows walk less, eat less, and compete less effectively for resources. Lameness causes daily pain that, when chronic, constitutes one of the most significant welfare failures in commercial dairy. Systematic prevention programs dramatically reduce herd lameness.

What You Can Do

Support dairy certification requiring regular locomotion scoring
Advocate for lameness targets in dairy welfare standards
Choose dairy products from farms with documented lameness management programs