Heat stress and its impact on fertility in dairy cattle

Abstract

Heat stress is a problem which has been recognised as having a negative impact on the productivity of dairy cattle for some time. A lot of research has been directed toward understanding the effects of heat stress on cattle, in an effort to find ways to mitigate its impact on the industry. With the continued increase in average global temperatures, an awareness of heat stress and its short-term and longer-term effects on livestock needs to be maintained by all industry stakeholders. This article focuses on the impact of heat stress on reproduction and fertility in dairy cattle.