Rising global temperatures are intensifying heat stress in livestock, reducing welfare and productivity. Farm adaptation to climate change is both a welfare and economic imperative.
Climate change is making heat stress an increasingly severe and widespread welfare problem for livestock. Cattle, pigs, and poultry all suffer physiologically and behaviorally from heat stress — reduced feeding, seeking shade, increased respiratory rate, and compromised immune function. Adaptation measures including shade infrastructure, ventilation improvement, cooling sprinklers, and selection for heat-tolerant genetics are becoming essential farm welfare investments as temperatures rise.