Farmed Animals

Summer Management for Outdoor Livestock Welfare

Outdoor livestock in summer face heat stress, fly burden, and parasite challenges requiring specific welfare management.

Key Facts

Flies cause significant welfare harm through physical irritation, wound colonisation, and disease transmission
Headfly causes eye infections including New Forest Eye in cattle and sheep
Summer mastitis risk increases in hot weather with fly activity in cattle
Shade provision reduces heat load in outdoor cattle and sheep during summer
Fly control through pour-on, ear tags, and targeted treatment reduces welfare burden

Welfare Considerations

Summer outdoor management requires specific welfare attention to heat, fly burden, and parasite challenges. Providing adequate shade for all animals in the field, implementing fly control programs, and monitoring for conditions including New Forest Eye and summer mastitis reduces welfare harm during hot weather. Regular observation of outdoor livestock is particularly important during summer welfare risk periods.

What You Can Do

Ensure adequate shade for all outdoor livestock during summer
Implement fly control programs appropriate to livestock species and system
Monitor outdoor animals closely for eye conditions and summer mastitis during hot weather
Support welfare standards that require summer management protocols for outdoor livestock
Raise awareness about summer welfare challenges for outdoor livestock