Farmed Animals

Livestock Heat Stress and Climate Adaptation

Rising global temperatures are intensifying heat stress in farmed animals, requiring urgent adaptation of housing, breed selection, and production systems.

Key Facts

Dairy cows experience significant milk production decline and reproductive failure above 25 degrees C
Heat stress costs US livestock producers over 2.4 billion dollars annually in production losses
Pigs are particularly vulnerable as they cannot sweat and rely on behavioral thermoregulation
Shade, sprinklers, fans, and adequate water access substantially reduce heat stress in cattle
Climate models predict major increases in heat stress days for livestock in tropical regions by 2050

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes genuine suffering in farmed animals whose ability to regulate body temperature is constrained by intensive housing systems. Animals cannot seek shade or cool environments when confined to pens or crates. Climate change will make this a growing welfare crisis affecting hundreds of millions of animals. Investment in heat stress mitigation infrastructure is both a welfare and economic necessity for livestock producers.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring heat stress mitigation infrastructure in animal housing
Advocate for stocking density limits allowing heat dissipation in warm climates
Choose animal products from producers with documented heat management programs
Support climate action to reduce the frequency and severity of extreme heat events
Learn about heat stress indicators in different farmed species to understand welfare impacts