A comprehensive review of dairy cow welfare identifies priority welfare issues and evidence-based solutions that would most significantly reduce suffering in the UK dairy industry.
The most significant dairy cow welfare priorities are lameness (affecting 25-30% of cows at any time), mastitis (the most economically costly disease), reproductive failure and associated metabolic disease, and premature culling (with average culling at 5-6 years against 20-year potential lifespan). These are not independent problems: they share common causes in over-selection for yield without health, housing design, nutrition management, and stockpersonship. The most impactful welfare improvements address these root causes: balanced breeding including health traits, cubicle design, transition cow management, and trained engaged stockpeople. These changes are achievable and commercially beneficial.