Farmed Animals

Cooling Systems for Livestock in Hot Weather

Providing effective cooling for livestock in hot weather is an important welfare intervention that is increasingly urgent under climate change.

Key Facts

Dairy cows begin to experience heat stress above a temperature-humidity index of 68
Fans and sprinklers can reduce body temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius in cattle
Shade reduces solar heat load by up to 30% in outdoor livestock
Sows and piglets are particularly vulnerable to heat stress in housed systems
Increasing heat events under climate change make cooling provision an urgent welfare issue

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes reduced feed intake, immune suppression, reproductive failure, and death in severely affected livestock. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of hot weather events, providing cooling infrastructure for housed and outdoor livestock is an increasingly important welfare requirement. Proactive investment in shading, ventilation, and water cooling significantly reduces heat-related welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory cooling provision requirements in livestock welfare regulations
Advocate for climate adaptation strategies in farm animal welfare policy
Raise awareness about heat stress as an increasing welfare risk in livestock farming
Support research into effective and affordable cooling solutions for livestock systems
Encourage farmers to develop heat emergency protocols for severe weather events