Heat Stress in Livestock: Welfare Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat stress events in livestock, creating a growing animal welfare crisis globally.

Key Facts

Heat stress costs the US livestock industry over 2 billion dollars annually in production losses
Dairy cows begin showing heat stress effects at 22 degrees Celsius combined temperature-humidity index
Heat-stressed cows reduce feed intake, milk production, and reproductive efficiency
Broiler chickens can die rapidly in heat events - farms lose millions of birds annually
Cooling systems (sprinklers, fans, shade) dramatically reduce heat stress welfare impacts
Livestock breeds better adapted to heat are being developed through genetic selection programs

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress represents one of the clearest intersections of climate change and animal welfare. As global temperatures rise, welfare-compromising heat events will become more frequent and severe for billions of farm animals worldwide. Heat stress is not just an economic problem but a welfare emergency - animals experiencing severe heat stress suffer from exhaustion, dehydration, and in extreme cases, death. Adaptation measures including cooling systems, shade, modified feeding schedules, and breed selection are welfare necessities, not optional investments, as the climate continues to change.

What You Can Do

Support animal agriculture policies that require heat stress management measures
Choose meat and dairy from producers with demonstrated heat management programs
Advocate for heat stress provisions in animal welfare legislation
Support research into heat-tolerant livestock breeds that maintain welfare in warming conditions
Engage with food companies about heat stress welfare in their supply chains
Reduce consumption of livestock products to decrease the number of animals at heat stress risk