Heat stress is a major welfare and production challenge for dairy and beef cattle globally. Rising temperatures due to climate change are intensifying the problem and urgency of solutions.
Heat stress causes suffering through thermal discomfort, physiological strain, and reduced ability to perform normal behaviours. Cattle in heat stress seek shade compulsively, crowd water sources, stand in ponds or manure to cool their legs, and reduce lying time to minimize contact with warm ground. The chronic nature of heat stress across summer months means prolonged welfare impact in affected regions. High-producing dairy cattle face the greatest risk as their metabolic heat generation is highest. Failure to provide adequate cooling in hot climates is a preventable welfare failure that also reduces productivity — giving producers both welfare and economic incentives to invest in cooling infrastructure.