The GB Dairy Cow Lameness Manifesto has marked its first year with clear progress in industry collaboration, training, technology adoption and farmer support.
Launched in January 2025, the manifesto is supported by Ruminant Health & Welfare and AHDB and brings together 27 organisations from across the dairy sector. Coordinated by the Dairy Cattle Mobility Steering Group, it has set an ambitious long-term goal to reduce dairy cow lameness prevalence from an estimated 30% today to below 5% in at least 95% of herds by 2044.
During its first year, the manifesto has focused on building the foundations needed to deliver lasting change. This includes expanding Mobility Mentor capacity, supporting structured foot health plans, strengthening hoof trimming training and accreditation, growing the Register of Mobility Scorers, and encouraging greater use of automated lameness detection technologies.
Farmer discussion groups and peer-to-peer learning have also helped improve knowledge exchange, while farms involved in structured programmes are already reporting positive changes through practical, farm-specific action plans.
As the manifesto moves into its second year, the focus will turn to widening farmer engagement, scaling up support, overcoming barriers to adoption and developing practical ways to measure national progress.
