Heat stress is a major and growing welfare concern for cattle as global temperatures rise. Understanding the physiological impacts and available mitigations is essential for protecting cattle welfare.
Heat stress causes significant suffering in cattle, including reduced appetite, panting, elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, death. Dairy cows, due to high metabolic activity, are particularly vulnerable. As climate change intensifies heat events globally, heat stress management is becoming an increasingly urgent welfare priority. Shade provision and active cooling are among the most cost-effective welfare interventions available to livestock producers.