Climate Change and State of the Art of the Sustainable Dairy Farming: A Systematic Review

Rising global temperatures driven by climate change pose a significant challenge for dairy farming. Heat stress represents a major constraint for dairy cattle, negatively affecting milk yield, feed intake, fertility, and overall animal welfare. This review examines recent studies on heat stress in dairy cows, with a particular focus on adaptive strategies employed within different production systems. The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) emerged as the most commonly used indicator for assessing heat stress. The findings emphasize that strategies such as genetic selection, cooling technologies, optimized nutrition, and improved management practices are essential to mitigate the impacts of heat stress on dairy cows. While most research has been concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, studies from South American countries remain limited, despite their prominence as major milk producers. A comprehensive understanding and application of effective adaptation strategies are critical to sustaining dairy production and safeguarding animal welfare under changing climatic conditions.