Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat stress events in livestock, requiring urgent adaptation of housing, management, and genetics.
Heat stress in livestock causes acute suffering including panting, increased water intake, reduced feed intake, and in severe cases hyperthermia and death. Chronic heat stress suppresses immune function, increases disease susceptibility, and impairs fetal development in pregnant animals. UK livestock housing was designed for temperate conditions and is increasingly inadequate during extreme heat events. Adaptation measures including shade provision, cooling systems, and breed selection for heat tolerance are increasingly urgent. The welfare case for climate adaptation investment is clear, and the costs of inaction are rising.