Cattle, depending on their breed and age, may experience reduced performance or even a dramatic increase in mortality rates when exposed to adverse weather conditions. In this case, heat is one of the main factors that can significantly affect bovine health and productivity.

Heat tolerance is generally considered a physiological trait that allows the body to regulate its temperature and adapt to the environment. In this regard, such tolerance is influenced by genetic factors such as coat color, hair height, and sweat glands…

Age and Heat Tolerance

In most bovine lineages, tolerance to high temperatures tends to decrease with age. In older animals, this tolerance can drop by up to 20%. Therefore, cattle that are preserved into old age due to their genetic characteristics and reproductive quality will require special environmental temperature conditions.

European Cattle vs. Tropical Climate Cattle

When raising cattle for tropical climates, heat resistance must be a key factor to ensure abundant production of milk and meat as well as a high reproduction rate.

Cattle exported to the Americas for centuries from tropical regions of India have played a key role in developing new breeds capable of grazing for days under the sun in very high temperatures. For example, in Brazilian cattle farms, it is common to see breeds grazing under temperatures as extreme as 41 ºC. Breeds such as Nelore, Gyr, and Guzerat adapt to the harshest climates of Central and South America without a significant increase in internal temperature or a disproportionate change in respiratory rate.

European cattle, on the other hand, are highly susceptible to heat. Their production, heart rate, and breathing can be affected when temperatures exceed 24 ºC (75 ºF). Therefore, their breeding in Spain varies as follows:

Cattle Breeds in the Cantabrian Region

The Galician-Cantabrian coast is considered an oceanic climate region, where the most common breeds are Holstein or Friesian cows, Rubia Gallega, and Asturian cattle—breeds with moderate heat tolerance. In this region, they are raised with temperatures not exceeding 24 ºC. When these breeds are raised in areas like the Cantabrian mountain range, where summer temperatures reach up to 30 ºC, there may be slight variations in meat and milk production levels. Additionally, other breeds found in the Cantabrian range include Tudanca, Pirenaica, Morenas del Noroeste, Pasiega, Brown Alpine, and Betizu.

Cattle Breeds in the Demanda, Neila, Urbión, Cebollera, and Cameros Ranges

This region, with temperatures ranging between 9 ºC and 20 ºC, is ideal for raising cattle of the Black Iberian Trunk (Avileña, Guadarmeña, Pinariega…), Serrana Negra, Fighting Bull breeds, as well as the French Limousin and Brown Alpine varieties.

Cattle Breeds in the Canary Islands

In the Canary Islands, temperatures are stable and very favorable for cattle farming. However, in this desert-like region, cattle are scarce. The most common breeds are the Canarian cow and the Palmeran cow. These two lineages have developed over centuries of natural selection, resulting in breeds that tolerate temperatures between 17 ºC and 25 ºC.

Pastures of the Central and Western Regions

This region is characterized by cool temperatures during the cold seasons, while in summer, the heat can be intense. However, breeds such as Avileña-Negra Ibérica, Fighting Bull varieties, and Andalusian breeds adapt well to these temperatures, which average 26 ºC. During heatwaves and days when the perceived temperature in the sun exceeds 35 ºC, these breeds require abundant water and special care.