Heat stress is a growing welfare problem for livestock globally. Effective heat abatement systems reduce suffering and production losses simultaneously.
Heat stress causes significant welfare harm in livestock — affecting breathing rate, behaviour, feed intake, and immune function. As global temperatures rise, heat stress events are becoming more frequent and severe. The good news is that effective, affordable heat abatement systems exist and have been well-studied in dairy cattle: shade, sprinklers timed to the hottest periods, and fans together substantially reduce heat stress indicators. The business case for heat abatement is strong: reduced milk losses and fertility problems typically recoup the cost of shade and sprinkler systems. Regulatory requirements for shade and cooling systems in hot climates are an important policy tool for protecting livestock welfare.