Heat stress causes significant welfare and production impacts in cattle, requiring proactive management that becomes increasingly important as temperatures rise.
Heat stress in cattle causes chronic discomfort affecting every aspect of welfare from feeding to social behaviour. Cows in heat stress spend less time lying and feeding, have reduced social interactions and show increased respiratory rate even during cool periods of the day. The cumulative effect of repeated heat stress days across a summer season causes lasting metabolic effects. Climate change is extending the heat stress season in temperate regions previously unaffected, making heat abatement investment increasingly necessary even in British conditions.