Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare and Drought and Water Stress Management

Drought and water stress pose increasing welfare threats to cattle worldwide as climate change intensifies, requiring proactive management strategies.

Key Facts

Cattle require 70-100 litres of water per day in temperate climates, and more in heat
Water restriction causes rapid deterioration in welfare, with serious effects within 24 hours
Drought causes pasture failure requiring supplementary feeding to prevent malnutrition
Water trough design and placement significantly affect intake - cattle prefer clean, open troughs
Climate-smart farming practices including crop rotation and water harvesting improve resilience

Welfare Considerations

Water stress causes rapid and severe welfare deterioration. Drought management planning including water storage and supplementary feeding prevents acute suffering.

What You Can Do

Advocate for drought management planning requirements in cattle welfare certification
Support water resilience investment on farms in drought-vulnerable regions
Choose beef from farms with documented climate adaptation plans