22/06/2026
Are you planning on transporting livestock this week? Our vet Paula Romeo can attest to heat stress travelling long distances in hot weather after last weekend's charity walk! Heat stress significantly affects production and fertility, and in severe cases can be fatal, so planning is vital in hot weather to prevent it.
Here are some top tips and requirements to keep animals safe in the predicted heat:
1) check if your market is still on - some have cancelled due to the forecasts.
2) only transport animals in temperatures below 30C (unless you have a temperature controlled vehicle). This may mean transporting stock early in the morning or late at night, or postponing the movement/sale.
3) maximise vehicle headroom and ventilation, and reduce stocking density so less body heat is produced in the trailer.
4) check the animals more frequently to ensure they are not showing any signs of heat stress - this includes open mouth breathing, restlessness, or refusal to lie down when they would normally do so.
5) choose shaded spots to park during rest stops and have a contingency plan if the journey is disrupted.
More info on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-farm-animals-and-horses-in-extreme-weather
Keep safe this week!
How to care for animals on farms and in transport in severe hot or cold weather, floods or drought.
