Heat stress, which has seen a significant increase due to rising global temperatures, is rapidly emerging as a lethal threat to animals worldwide. Affecting all species, the poultry and dairy sectors, which play a vital role in global food security and economies, are particularly vulnerable. This article takes a deep dive into the impacts of heat stress and how livestock insurance can provide an added layer of protection.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that an increase in temperature of 2°C could result in a significant increase in heatwaves, which could potentially double in duration. This rise in temperature can cause heat stress in animals, a condition that arises when animals cannot dissipate body heat effectively. For poultry, which are susceptible to high temperatures due to their small size and high metabolic rates, this could be fatal. With dairy cows, they are unable to reduce their body heat effectively. This happens when the ambient temperature combined with humidity exceeds a certain threshold, known as the Temperature Humidity Index (THI).
