Livestock

Heat Stress in Livestock: Climate Adaptation Strategies

Climate change is intensifying heat stress risk for livestock across all production systems, requiring proactive adaptation strategies to maintain animal welfare.

Key Facts

Heat stress in dairy cows reduces milk production by up to 25% and causes immune suppression
Pigs are highly susceptible to heat stress as they cannot sweat effectively
Broilers and turkeys face increasing mortality risk during summer heat events
Shade and ventilation provision significantly reduces heat stress indicators
Climate projections indicate substantially increased heat stress frequency across northern Europe

Welfare Considerations

Livestock experiencing heat stress suffer physiological distress that impairs reproduction, immune function, and feed intake. In severe cases, heat stroke causes rapid death. Climate adaptation strategies including improved ventilation, shade provision, water availability, and breeding selection for heat tolerance are essential welfare investments for the changing climate.

What You Can Do

Support investment in welfare-positive farm climate adaptation measures
Advocate for building standards requiring adequate ventilation and shade in livestock housing
Choose products from farms with documented heat stress management strategies
Support research into heat-tolerant breeds and climate adaptation genetics
Engage with policy debates on livestock welfare in a changing climate