Cull dairy cows at end of productive life require specific welfare consideration during transport and slaughter, as many have chronic health conditions.
Cull cows are often in compromised health with chronic lameness, poor body condition, or underlying disease. Transport of these animals causes additional welfare harm through prolonged standing, social disruption, and inability to compete for feed and water. Regulations prohibiting transport of unfit animals exist but enforcement gaps allow welfare-compromising transport to occur. On-farm emergency slaughter provides the most welfare-positive option for cows that cannot be transported humanely. Welfare-conscious farmers make transport fitness assessments with their vet before loading any compromised animal.