iah website, page-100

from dairyoz.biz

Individual farmers can calculate their average annual cost of lameness by multiplying the estimated cost of a single cost of lameness (calculated above at $200 to $300) by the number of cases of lameness in their herd each year.

Using this data and other estimates, lameness is thought to cost the Australian dairy industry over $30 to $45 million dollars per annum.

Lameness in cattle also has a "human cost". A simple, single case of lameness is frustrating to the farmer because it takes time to treat time that could be better used elsewhere "on the farm or off it".

In outbreaks of lameness, the financial costs and demands on time mount up. If the farm is experiencing financial hardship, or if resources of time or patience are limited, such outbreaks can become emotionally painful. Humans also find the sight of animals in pain distressing. Seeing large numbers of animals in severe pain such as in an outbreak of severe lameness is very distressing.


and that's just dairy cows in aus...the mind boggles