Heat stress in cattle is intensifying as climate change raises temperatures, reducing production, increasing disease, and causing measurable suffering in both dairy and beef systems.
Cattle heat stress is a welfare and productivity challenge that is intensifying with climate change. A cow experiencing heat stress pants rapidly, stands in shade, reduces feed intake, and produces less milk -- all visible indicators of an animal trying to cope with thermal overload. Chronic heat stress impairs immune function, increases susceptibility to mastitis and lameness, and disrupts reproduction. The welfare and economic incentives align: shade, adequate water, and cooling systems improve both animal welfare and production. But many intensive cattle operations lack adequate cooling infrastructure, leaving animals to cope through physiological stress rather than environmental management.