Livestock

Cattle Lameness in Dairy Farming: A Major Welfare Priority

Lameness affects around 25 percent of dairy cows and is one of the most significant welfare problems in the industry.

Key Facts

An estimated 25 percent of dairy cows experience lameness at any one time
Lameness is the third most important health condition affecting dairy cow welfare after mastitis and reproductive disorders
Lame cows produce less milk, have lower fertility, and are culled earlier
Digital dermatitis and sole ulcers are the two most common causes of dairy cow lameness
Regular mobility scoring by trained observers is the cornerstone of lameness management

Welfare Considerations

Lame cows experience chronic pain that affects their ability to compete for food, rest adequately, and perform normal behaviours. Lameness causes compounding welfare harm as affected cows spend less time lying down to reduce hoof pain, increasing metabolic stress. Delayed detection and treatment prolongs suffering. Farm systems with long concrete walks, hard standings, and inadequate cubicle design increase lameness prevalence significantly.

What You Can Do

Support farmers implementing regular locomotion scoring and prompt treatment protocols
Choose dairy products from farms with independently audited lameness management
Advocate for housing standards that include soft flooring and adequate cubicle provision
Support research into optimal flooring, track design, and management to reduce lameness
Donate to AHDB and university research programmes improving lameness prevention on farms