Livestock

Heat Abatement Strategies for Cattle Welfare in Climate Change

As climate change increases average temperatures, heat stress in cattle is becoming a more severe and widespread welfare problem requiring proactive management strategies.

Key Facts

Cattle experience heat stress above 22C when humidity is also high
UK summer temperatures increasingly exceed heat stress thresholds
Heat stress reduces milk yield, reproductive performance and immune function
Rectal temperatures above 39.5C indicate significant heat stress
Shade, fans, soakers and timing of work are key mitigation tools
Genetic selection for heat tolerance is increasingly relevant for UK breeds

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in cattle causes panting, drooling, bunching in shade, and reduced feed intake. Severe heat stress causes respiratory alkalosis, reduced blood oxygen, and death in extreme cases. Pregnant cows experience foetal heat stress. Dairy cows in high production are most vulnerable due to metabolic heat generation. Climate change is turning heat stress from an occasional problem into a systematic welfare issue.

What You Can Do

Support farmer adoption of heat abatement technology through industry schemes
Advocate for heat stress management protocols in farm assurance standards
Choose dairy products from farms with demonstrably high welfare standards
Support climate policy that reduces the trajectory of warming reducing future risk
Donate to agricultural welfare organisations developing heat stress guidance
Engage with policy processes on climate adaptation in farming