Farm Animals

Livestock Welfare in Heat Waves

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves. Livestock welfare during extreme heat requires proactive management and infrastructure investment.

Key Facts

Heat stress in dairy cows reduces milk production by 15-25% and immune function significantly
Poultry are particularly vulnerable to heat stress with high mortality during sustained temperature extremes
Shade, water, and ventilation provision during heat waves is essential for all livestock species
Heat stress during pregnancy causes developmental effects in offspring affecting future welfare and productivity

Welfare Considerations

Livestock heat wave welfare is a growing challenge as climate change extends the duration and intensity of extreme heat events. Animals in conventional housing without adequate cooling face chronic heat stress that causes suffering, immune compromise, and reproductive failure. Investment in cooling infrastructure, emergency protocols for extreme heat, and breed selection for heat tolerance are all required components of climate-adaptive livestock management.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring heat stress prevention plans for all confined livestock operations
Advocate for climate-adaptive livestock housing standards that account for projected temperature increases
Encourage producers to invest in cooling infrastructure before the next heat wave rather than reactively
Choose animal products from producers demonstrating commitment to climate-adaptive animal welfare management