Farm Animals

Livestock Heat Stress Welfare

Heat stress is a growing welfare crisis for livestock as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme heat events.

Key Facts

Dairy cows experience significant production losses and health problems above 72 degrees F
Pigs are highly susceptible to heat stress and can die within hours of dangerous temperatures
Heat stress during gestation reduces offspring performance and welfare
Shade, ventilation, and cooling systems are effective but not universally provided

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in livestock causes immediate suffering including panting, lethargy, and reduced feed intake, progressing to heat exhaustion and death in severe cases. As climate change intensifies heat events, adequate cooling infrastructure becomes increasingly critical for livestock welfare. Adapting housing and management to extreme heat protects both animal welfare and farm viability.

What You Can Do

Support livestock welfare standards requiring adequate shade and cooling
Advocate for climate adaptation planning requirements for large livestock operations
Choose animal products from farms with documented heat management protocols
Support research into heat-tolerant livestock breeds for future climate conditions