Husbandry and welfare of dairy cattle

Ensuring that the care, handling, moving and welfare of livestock is of a consistent and high level across the industry is essential and demonstrates to consumers and export markets that we take the care and welfare of our livestock seriously.

As global leaders in livestock welfare, being able to demonstrate continued progress within the UK dairy herd, delivered through the expertise of professional stockpeople, supports domestic and international trade while creating a positive work environment for farm employees.

The UK was the first country in the world to pass legislation to protect animals, and current legislation and policies help the UK in achieving a high World Animal Protection rank index. 

Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy

The UK Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy was launched in 2023 with support and funding from AHDB.

This collaborative industry vision, with shared ownership, is designed to enable the industry to demonstrate progress in the welfare of the national UK dairy herd over a five-year period.

The data gathered will provide evidence-based reassurance to customers about the care that goes into producing their food.

The strategy has six strategic goals of:

• Thriving cows
• Healthy feet
• Comfortable cows
• Appropriately nourished cows
• Healthy udders
• Positive welfare

Thriving cows and calves

Calf strategy

In 2025, AHDB, NFU, and Innovation for Agriculture launched the next phase of the strategy, focusing on the right calf, right start and right routes.

The GB Calf Strategy 2020–2023 aimed to ensure that all dairy-bred calves were reared with care and for a purpose, whether that was part of the dairy or beef industry.

Weaning calves

Changes in diet, environment and social grouping can all make weaning a stressful time for calves.

Implementing a successful weaning programme can help reduce stress, the risk of disease and disruption to growth rates.

Healthy feet

It is estimated that just under one third of all dairy cows might be experiencing some degree of lameness at any one time.

This causes huge economic losses and severely impacts the welfare and wellbeing of dairy cows.

Comfortable cows

Building design

Ensuring your buildings are fit for purpose, include adequate ventilation while also shielding your cattle from high air speed is crucial in maintaining good animal welfare.

Disbudding calves

Horned cattle are at risk of both hurting other stock and humans.

By disbudding calves, you eliminate this risk, but it needs to be done properly to optimise calf welfare.

Consider genetics to avoid the need to disbud calves. This involves breeding polled cattle, where calves born will not develop horns as they mature.

Appropriately nourished cows

Nutrition

Feeding dairy cows and youngstock makes up one of the highest costs of milk production.

Daily energy requirements depend on their specific needs for maintenance, reproduction, milk production and body reserves.

Achieving the best possible balance between key nutritional, practical and financial factors requires successful rationing. The professional expertise of the stockperson is critical in enabling this.

Body condition scoring

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a practical way of assessing body fat reserves throughout lactation.

Routine scoring is key in monitoring and identifying problems early – looking for changes in BCS is particularly important.

Healthy udders

Mastitis is often caused by a bacterial infection in the udder leading to inflammation and pain.

It poses a significant factor in dairy cow welfare and is prevalent on farms across the UK.

Positive welfare

Dairy welfare practices will be advanced by moving towards positive welfare.

For example, by providing an environment that allows cattle to exhibit normal behaviours, such as curiosity and play through environmental enrichment.

Further information