The quality and frequency of farm veterinary engagement is a key determinant of cattle welfare outcomes, yet many farms have limited proactive veterinary contact.
Reactive veterinary engagement — treating sick animals rather than preventing disease — results in more suffering per farm than proactive herd health planning. Regular farm visits allow vets to identify emerging welfare issues before they become crises. The shift to AHWR in England represents an opportunity to embed welfare monitoring into routine veterinary contact. Farmers who engage proactively with their vets report both improved welfare outcomes and economic benefits from reduced disease costs.