Heat stress is one of the most costly and prevalent welfare problems in dairy and beef cattle, worsening with climate change and requiring proactive management.
Heat stress causes measurable suffering — cattle pant, bunch in shade, stand in water, and reduce feed intake to minimize heat production. Chronic heat stress is associated with compromised immune function, increased disease susceptibility, and reproductive failure. Climate change is extending heat stress seasons and intensity across major cattle-producing regions. Providing shade, adequate water access, mechanical ventilation, and sprinkler systems are proven interventions. Breed selection for heat tolerance and strategic adjustments to feeding timing can also reduce the welfare burden on cattle in warming conditions.