Breeding sweatier beef cattle could help producers manage the impacts of heat stress and mitigate losses associated with rising global temperatures.
Thermal stress is a major challenge in beef cattle production, particularly in subtropical regions where soaring temperatures take a significant toll on animals.
Cows do sweat, but unlike humans, they have a relatively low density of sweat glands and therefore rely on several cooling mechanisms at once — including panting, shade seeking and reduced feed intake. That means sweating alone is often not enough to regulate internal body temperature during extended periods of high heat.
Almost $370m is estimated to be lost each year due to heat stress, which can reduce feed intake and cause production levels to plummet. And with increasing temperatures due to global warming posing a risk of heat stress in other regions, experts warn those losses could climb even higher in future.
Other animals – such as horses and pigs – also sweat, but with very different levels of efficiency. Horses sweat heavily and use it as a primary cooling system, while pigs sweat very little and usually rely on wallowing or behavioural adaptation. Cattle sit somewhere between the two: they can sweat, but in high humidity or extended heat events they struggle to dissipate sufficient heat through sweating alone.
In a bid to address the issue, researchers from the University of Florida and North Carolina State University have investigated how the thermotolerance of cattle might be increased through genetic selection.
Sweat detection technology for cattle welfare
In a study involving 2401 Brangus cattle — a cross of Brahman and Angus cows — from two commercial ranches in Florida, scientists focused on animals’ sweat gland traits, which are crucial for regulating internal heat.
As well as measuring physical factors that help animals manage heat stress, including sweat gland area, depth and length, the team of researchers also genotyped the animals and used software to predict how many of those traits were inherited.
The study revealed that a moderate amount of variation in sweating ability is genetic, meaning producers can select sweatier cattle based on genetic markers.
Writing in the Journal of Animal Science and Technology, the scientists said selecting cattle based on their ability to sweat could help producers breed herds that are productive in hotter climates.
They added that understanding how, and how well, different animals sweat will be increasingly important to future livestock systems, as heat stress starts to affect regions previously considered temperate.
“Understanding and utilising genetic traits that confer better heat tolerance is a proactive approach to managing the impacts of climate change on livestock farming,’ they added.
FAQ
Do cows sweat?
Yes. Cattle have functional sweat glands and are able to sweat, but their sweating capacity is relatively low compared with humans or horses. This is why they also rely on other mechanisms such as panting, shade seeking and changes in feed intake to regulate body temperature.
Do all animals sweat?
Most mammals have some form of sweat gland, but not all use sweating as their primary cooling strategy. Horses sweat efficiently, while pigs have very limited sweating ability and tend to rely on wallowing or behavioural responses instead.
Key takeaways
- Sweat-sensing collars and implants can measure cattle perspiration to signal early onset of heat stress.
- Real-time monitoring enables timely interventions—like shade, water, or cooling—improving herd welfare.
- Early detection of heat stress can enhance beef productivity by reducing stress-related weight loss.
- Tech integration requires validating sensor accuracy, device durability, and data interpretation in real-world farms.
- Further field trials and cost-benefit analysis are essential before widespread adoption.
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