Share this page
Heat stress in
dairy cattle
Heat stress in dairy cows can have negative consequences for milk production, and for reproduction, welfare and health.
Heat stress in dairy cattle has been a major problem worldwide for decades. It is increasing with climate changes and improved breeding and management of dairy cows, leading to increased metabolic heat generation by the animals.
Addressing the causes of Heat Stress in dairy animals
Dairy cows are homoeothermic animals and as such, they need to maintain a constant body temperature of around 38.8°C. They are sensitive to factors which influence their thermal exchange with the environment, which include air temperature, radiant temperature, air velocity and relative humidity.
Consequences of Heat Stress
If a dairy cow is unable to control her thermal balance, and she becomes heat stressed, there can be impacts on welfare, reproduction, and health as well as losses in global milk production. Dairy farmers have put in place several strategies to prevent their livestock from suffering heat stress.
Looking ahead, IDF will be leading a project which aims at providing some global guidance on commonly used heat stress mitigation methods for different climate conditions.
For more information on this project, please refer to the IDF Standing Committee on Animal Health and Welfare
The dairy sector supports animal welfare
The dairy sector is committed to implementing best practices to ensure animal welfare based on scientific evidence and reference standards. The IDF promotes the implementation of good animal welfare practices in dairy production at global scale and refers to key standards.
We identify five key action areas to be considered when developing and implementing quality management systems for dairy animal welfare.
IDF's five action areas for good animal welfare
Good stockmanship
Good stockmanship underlies the success of the dairying operation. The handling of animals should foster a positive relationship between humans and animals and should not cause injury, panic, lasting fear or avoidable stress.
Proper Nutrition
Animals should have access to sufficient feed and water, suited to the animals’ age and needs, to maintain normal health and productivity, and to prevent prolonged hunger, thirst, malnutrition or dehydration.
Adequate Physical Environment
Dairy cattle in commercial production may be kept in housed or pastured systems, or a combination of both and should have a good milking environment and facilities, feedlot areas and yards for holding animals, as well as adequate housing – a plan should be in place to manage and evacuate animals in case of disaster situations.
Responsible Husbandry Practices
Animals should be treated with care and kindness; milking should be comfortable and subjected to as little pain as possible. They should have a safe, adequate place to give birth, and should be transported in line with national regulations.
Robust Health Management
Veterinarians are trained animal health professionals and their advice should be sought in all matters of animal health management. Health management plans should meet relevant national and international veterinary requirements.
If you would like to learn more, please see Bulletin of the IDF N° 498/ 2019: The IDF Guide to Good Animal Welfare in Dairy Production 2.0
This detailed guide is a collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It is intended for use by farmers, organisations, dairy processors, and farmer organisations.
Learn more about animal health
& welfare
The breadth of issues IDF covers in its work is extensive. Find out more about the work we do.
Promoting the welfare of dairy animals
For a dairy farmer to be successful at producing milk of good quality, the welfare needs of dairy animals must be met.....
Read More
Excellent udder health for high quality milk
Excellent udder health during lactation results in high quality milk.
Read More
Calf care from birth to weaning
The animal health and welfare management of calves from birth to weaning is of great importance to the dairy sector, as healthy calves lead to healthy....
Read More
Minimizing the need for antimicrobial use
To minimize the need for antimicrobial use, the dairy sector encourages good animal health and welfare.....
Read More
Heat stress in dairy cattle
Heat stress in dairy cows can have negative consequences for milk production, and for reproduction, welfare and health.....
Read MoreRelated reports & publications
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Bulletin of the IDF N° 498/2019: The IDF Guide to Good Animal Welfare in Dairy Production 2.0...
This guide provides recommendations on stockmanship, feed and water, physical environment, husbandry practices....
IDF Animal Health Report N° 14
The 14th edition of the IDF Animal Health Report illustrates the importance of animal health and welfare for s....
IDF Animal Health Report N° 13
IDF's 13th edition of the IDF Animal Health Report. This latest tool to share knowledge in dairy welfare was r....
Guide to Good Dairy Farming Practice in English (2011)
This Guide gives individual dairy farmers proactive guidance on how these objectives can be achieved on their....
Related news & insights
Keep up to date with the latest news and insights from leading experts in the global dairy sector.
IDF and ICAR webinar host an interactive virtual event on animal welfare
On the 24 February 2021, IDF, in cooperation with the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR), hosted a virtual event looking at....
Dairy sector case studies on water foot printing and carbon soil stock changes for GLEAM
In June 2020, the IDF organized two webinars aimed at providing scientists within the dairy sector an overview of the incorporation of the FAO....
