The assessment and alleviation of pain and stress during and following routine husbandry procedures used on farms (e.g., disbudding and castration of calves) are important components of farm animal welfare. Despite evidence which demonstrates the welfare benefits of using analgesics, in most countries it is still common practice and legal to conduct procedures such as disbudding, dehorning and castration of young calves without pain relief. There are many reasons why there is a lack of use of analgesics in farm animals including practical and economical factors.