Lameness remains the single biggest welfare challenge facing the cattle industry. Poor recognition of the problem, combined with the absence of a ‘one size fits all’ solution, means many farmers find lameness daunting and overwhelming to tackle. Empowering farmers to take action through a team-based approach, supported by improved knowledge and practical skills, is key to driving meaningful change. This presentation will explore how lameness is impacting dairy and beef herds in Wales, the main causes of lameness, how these can be addressed, and the importance of a collaborative team approach.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand the impact of lameness on health and welfare in Welsh beef and dairy herds, and the benefits of improving foot health.
• Diagnose the most common causes of lameness in cattle and develop best-practice treatment protocols.
• Understand the importance of the team approach – both within and between individual farms – and the vet’s role in empowering farmers to change.