How climate change is increasing heat stress risk for farmed animals and what adaptation strategies can protect livestock welfare.
Livestock heat stress is a growing welfare crisis as climate change increases exposure to extreme temperatures. Species bred for production traits in temperate climates face significant welfare challenges as temperatures rise. Welfare adaptation strategies include cooling infrastructure investment, breed selection for heat tolerance, reduced stocking densities during heat events, and scheduling management activities to cooler periods. Without proactive adaptation, heat stress will become an increasingly severe welfare and production challenge across global livestock systems.