Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat stress events in livestock, creating significant welfare challenges for farmers and animals worldwide.
Livestock heat stress welfare is becoming an increasingly critical issue as average temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent. Farm systems designed for cooler historical climates are increasingly inadequate for current conditions. Welfare-conscious farmers are investing in shade structures, mechanical ventilation, and cooling systems, but access to these infrastructure upgrades varies enormously between well-resourced and marginal operations. Heat stress deaths in livestock represent acute welfare failures that often go unreported. Climate adaptation planning for livestock farming must incorporate welfare considerations alongside production efficiency goals.