{"id":10814,"date":"2026-07-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jodoco.com\/?p=10814"},"modified":"2026-05-18T14:43:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:43:43","slug":"how-does-climate-change-affect-heat-stress-in-livestock-in-the-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodoco.com\/en\/how-does-climate-change-affect-heat-stress-in-livestock-in-the-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"How does climate change affect heat stress in livestock in the Netherlands?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climate change is significantly increasing the risk of heat stress in livestock in the Netherlands. Summers are becoming hotter and longer, meaning dairy cows, pigs, and poultry are more frequently exposed to temperatures that exceed their physiological limits. This article answers the key questions about how heat affects livestock, which symptoms to look out for, and what you as a farmer can do to reduce the impact.<\/p>\n

What makes Dutch livestock farms particularly vulnerable to heat?<\/h2>\n

Dutch livestock farms are especially vulnerable to heat stress due to the combination of high stocking densities, enclosed barn systems, and the increasing frequency of heat waves. Many barns were built for a temperate climate and lack adequate ventilation or cooling for extreme temperatures. In addition, the Netherlands keeps a relatively high proportion of high-performance breeds that naturally produce more body heat.<\/p>\n

High-yielding dairy cows generate more metabolic heat than low-producing animals. The more a cow produces, the more susceptible she is to heat. The same applies to fast-growing broilers and hyperprolific sows: animals that have been genetically optimized for performance respond more strongly to thermal stress.<\/p>\n

Infrastructure also plays a role. Many Dutch livestock farms use enclosed or semi-open barns where air circulation is limited. On warm, windless days, the perceived temperature inside the barn quickly rises above the animal’s comfort zone. Combined with high humidity \u2014 which is common in the Netherlands \u2014 this leads to a high Temperature Humidity Index (THI), the measure used to determine when heat stress occurs in livestock.<\/p>\n

How does heat stress affect livestock production and health?<\/h2>\n

Heat stress in livestock directly leads to reduced feed intake, lower production, and increased susceptibility to disease. When an animal can no longer adequately regulate its body temperature, its energy shifts from production to thermoregulation. This has measurable consequences for milk yield, growth, reproduction, and gut health.<\/p>\n

In dairy cows, milk production begins to decline at a THI above 68. At the same time, feed intake drops, rumen function deteriorates, and the risk of displaced abomasum and ketosis increases. In sows, heat during gestation leads to more premature births, lower birth weights, and poorer colostrum production. Finishing pigs grow more slowly, have a higher feed conversion ratio, and show more carcass fat at the expense of lean meat.<\/p>\n

Poultry are particularly vulnerable because chickens cannot sweat. They cool down by panting, which causes carbon dioxide loss and disrupts the acid-base balance. This results in weaker eggshell quality in laying hens and lower breast muscle yield in broilers. The gut barrier also comes under pressure during heat stress: increased intestinal permeability raises the risk of infection.<\/p>\n

What symptoms indicate heat stress in cattle, pigs, and poultry?<\/h2>\n

The symptoms of heat stress in livestock vary by species, but are generally easy to recognize in practice. Rapid breathing, reduced feed intake, and lethargy are the most universal signs. Early intervention is critical, as chronic heat stress has lasting effects on production and health.<\/p>\n

Symptoms in cattle<\/h3>\n