Farm Animal Welfare

Climate-Resilient Livestock Welfare: Adapting to Change

Building climate resilience into livestock systems requires breed selection, housing adaptations, and management changes that also address welfare needs.

Key Facts

Heat-tolerant breeds show better welfare outcomes during heat events than high-producing exotic breeds
Climate-resilient livestock housing design integrates cooling, ventilation, and shade provision
Drought-resilient forages maintain nutritional welfare during dry periods
Insurance schemes for weather-related livestock welfare events are expanding
Welfare planning for extreme weather events is increasingly required in certification schemes

Welfare Considerations

Climate adaptation in livestock farming is inseparable from welfare provision. Breeds that tolerate heat maintain better welfare during heat waves; well-designed housing prevents weather-related suffering; drought-resistant pastures maintain nutritional welfare. Climate resilience planning that incorporates welfare as a core objective creates farming systems that are better prepared for both climate variability and welfare expectations.

What You Can Do

Support climate adaptation programs that integrate welfare as a core objective
Advocate for welfare planning to be required in agricultural climate adaptation grants
Choose animal products from farms with documented climate resilience welfare planning
Donate to research into climate-resilient livestock management that maintains welfare