Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Heat Stress and Climate Adaptation

Heat stress in dairy and beef cattle is a growing welfare problem as climate change increases the frequency of extreme heat events.

Key Facts

Heat stress reduces feed intake, milk production and reproductive success in dairy cows
Temperature-humidity index (THI) above 68 signals the onset of significant heat stress
Shade access reduces core body temperature by up to 2 degrees Celsius in hot conditions
Sprinkler systems in combination with fans provide the most effective active cooling
Black-coated breeds are more susceptible to heat stress than lighter-coated animals

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes significant suffering, immune suppression and production losses in cattle. Climate change is making heat stress more frequent and severe in the UK and globally. Infrastructure investment in shade and cooling systems is both a welfare imperative and an economic adaptation.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory shade access standards in summer grazing welfare certification
Support investment in cooling infrastructure for housed cattle in warm climates
Choose dairy and beef products from producers with documented heat stress management plans