Heat stress is a major welfare problem for pigs, poultry, and dairy cattle, causing significant suffering and production losses that are largely preventable with appropriate management.
Heat stress welfare management is an increasing challenge as climate change extends and intensifies summer heat in traditional livestock production regions. Animals that were historically at risk only during summer heat waves now face extended periods of thermal challenge. Dairy cattle are physiologically most studied in heat stress research, with the temperature-humidity index providing a validated welfare monitoring tool. Proactive cooling investment — shade, sprinklers, fans — significantly reduces heat stress severity and duration. Emergency response protocols for extreme heat events, including water access prioritization and stocking density emergency reduction, should be prepared before heat events occur.