Heat stress is an increasing welfare problem for cattle globally as temperatures rise, reducing production, fertility, and welfare while causing direct physiological suffering.
Heat stress in cattle causes genuine physiological suffering including heat load, discomfort, reproductive failure, and in extreme cases heat stroke and death. The condition is entirely preventable through provision of shade, water, ventilation, and cooling systems. Farmers in warming climates who fail to provide adequate heat mitigation are exposing their animals to foreseeable, preventable suffering. Climate change makes heat stress adaptation planning an urgent welfare priority for cattle producers across expanding geographic regions.