Heat Stress in Livestock: A Growing Welfare Crisis

Rising temperatures are increasing heat stress in livestock globally. Heat stress causes significant suffering and production losses, driving urgent need for management adaptation.

Key Facts

Cattle experience heat stress at temperatures above 25 degrees C with high humidity
Heat stress costs the US livestock industry an estimated 2.4 billion dollars annually
Dairy cow milk production falls by up to 30 percent during heat stress events
Broiler chickens have limited capacity to thermoregulate and are highly vulnerable to heat
Shade, water access, and ventilation are the primary mitigation tools for livestock heat stress

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is making heat stress an increasingly serious welfare problem for billions of farmed animals. High-producing dairy cows generate substantial metabolic heat and are particularly vulnerable — during heat stress events, cows show reduced feed intake, elevated respiration rates, and can experience cardiac and respiratory failure in extreme cases. Broiler chickens have limited capacity to dissipate heat and die rapidly in inadequate ventilation. Pigs also suffer significantly during heat waves. Adaptation measures including shade provision, misting systems, cooling drinking water, and improved ventilation can substantially reduce heat stress welfare impacts and are increasingly essential as baseline temperatures rise.

What You Can Do

Advocate for minimum heat stress mitigation standards in livestock welfare regulations
Support research into heat-tolerant livestock genetics that maintain welfare in warming climates
Choose food products from producers with documented heat stress management protocols
Reduce meat consumption to decrease demand for livestock farming that generates heat-stress risk