Livestock

Livestock Heat Abatement and Climate Adaptation

As temperatures rise, heat abatement is becoming an increasingly critical welfare requirement for livestock.

Key Facts

Heat stress costs UK livestock production significantly as climate warms
Dairy cows begin experiencing heat stress above 22-25C
Shade, ventilation, and water sprinklers are the primary heat abatement tools
High-producing dairy cows are more vulnerable because milk production generates body heat

Welfare Considerations

Livestock experiencing heat stress suffer acutely — rapid respiration, elevated body temperature, reduced feed intake, and metabolic disruption cause genuine distress. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat events. Without proactive investment in heat abatement — shade, ventilation, cooling water — livestock welfare will deteriorate as conditions worsen. Heat abatement is now a climate adaptation welfare requirement.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory heat abatement requirements in livestock welfare regulations
Advocate for climate-adaptive farm building requirements
Choose livestock products from producers with documented heat management protocols
Back research into livestock heat adaptation and welfare-compatible breed selection