Heat stress is a growing welfare emergency for livestock as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme heat events across traditional agricultural regions.
Heat stress in livestock is an acute welfare emergency that is becoming more frequent and severe as climate change progresses. Animals suffering acute heat stress experience physiological distress - panting desperately, clustering in shade or water, collapsing - that represents genuine suffering comparable to severe human heat exhaustion. The problem is compounded in intensive systems where shade and ventilation are limited and where high-yielding genetics generate excess metabolic heat. Preparedness for heat emergencies - having ventilation systems, water cooling, shade access, and emergency veterinary contacts in place before extreme events occur - is an ethical obligation for livestock keepers in a warming climate.