Climate change is increasing heat stress risk for livestock globally. Heat stress causes significant suffering, production losses, and mortality in cattle herds.
Heat stress is a welfare emergency for millions of cattle as global temperatures rise. Affected animals show behavioural signs including bunching in shade, panting, reduced activity, and reduced feed intake. Physiological effects include elevated core body temperature, increased respiration rate, and hormonal stress responses. Chronic heat stress impairs immune function and increases susceptibility to disease. Producers in warming regions must proactively implement shade structures, ventilation systems, water availability, and ration adjustments. Building climate resilience into livestock systems — including through breed selection for heat tolerance — is an increasingly urgent welfare and production priority.