Farmed Animals

Livestock Heat Stress in a Warming Climate

Climate change is intensifying heat stress in livestock, reducing welfare and production while increasing mortality risk during extreme events.

Key Facts

Heat stress costs the US livestock industry over 2 billion dollars annually
Dairy cows showing heat stress produce 10-25% less milk with impaired reproduction
Pigs begin experiencing heat stress above 22°C (72°F)
Projections show 20-30% of EU livestock areas will face critical heat by 2050

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes physical discomfort, behavioral changes, and immune suppression in livestock. Respiratory alkalosis from panting creates metabolic imbalance. During extreme events, mortalities in poultry sheds can reach thousands of birds per hour when ventilation fails. Adaptation requires structural changes in housing design.

What You Can Do

Support farming policies that require heat emergency protocols in livestock housing
Choose animal products from farms with documented climate adaptation measures
Advocate for inclusion of livestock welfare in national climate adaptation plans
Support research into heat-tolerant breeds and welfare-compatible cooling systems