Farm Animals

Livestock Heat Stress: Climate Change Welfare Challenge

Rising temperatures from climate change are exacerbating heat stress in livestock, causing suffering, reduced welfare, and significant production losses across the global food system.

Key Facts

Dairy cows experience heat stress above 25 degrees C with 50% humidity
Heat stress reduces milk production by 10-20% and causes immune suppression
Poultry heat stress mortality during extreme events can reach millions of birds per event
Global warming is extending heat stress seasons and increasing peak temperatures
Shade, ventilation, and cooling systems are effective but often inadequately provided

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in livestock causes panting, reduced feed intake, reproductive failure, and in severe cases, death. Chronic heat stress represents sustained suffering over weeks or months of hot weather. As climate change intensifies, heat stress will affect larger numbers of animals for longer periods, making adaptive management an urgent welfare priority.

What You Can Do

Support livestock welfare regulations requiring adequate shade and cooling infrastructure
Advocate for climate-adaptive livestock management requirements
Choose meat and dairy from farms with demonstrated heat stress management
Support research into heat-tolerant livestock breeds and lower-density production systems
Donate to organizations working on climate adaptation for farm animal welfare