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Loading Livestock in Hot Weather

Heat stress can build quickly in a loaded trailer, especially when it is parked or the air is humid. Planning around the hottest part of the day protects animals and everyone handling them.

Why is hot weather such a concern?

Animals produce heat, and in a trailer that heat has little room to escape. Humidity makes it harder for animals to cool down. Heavy animals, animals in poor condition, young stock and those already stressed are more likely to struggle.

Extension publications on livestock transport, including those from land-grant universities, discuss heat stress in detail for different species. Use those as your primary guide, and ask your veterinarian about the animals in your care.

Weather is not the only factor. A cloudy, humid day can be harder on animals than a drier day that feels hotter, so look at the full forecast and not only the temperature number.

When should you load and travel?

Where possible, load and move animals in the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, and avoid the heat of the afternoon. Check the National Weather Service forecast for your pickup point, your route and your destination.

If conditions are unsafe, consider delaying the haul. The animals will usually be better off waiting, and most buyers and facilities would rather reschedule than receive a heat-stressed load.

• Check the forecast for the whole route
• Avoid the hottest hours
• Consider delaying if conditions are severe
• Tell the destination about any change in plans

How do you handle animals before loading?

Calm handling matters. Excited or hurried animals produce more heat. Avoid long chases, hot pens and crowding at the chute. Give animals water and rest according to your veterinarian's advice before the trip.

Do not make big changes to feed or water routines right before a haul unless a veterinarian says to. Ask them how to prepare animals in your situation.

Consider the animals' condition, too. Animals that are sick, injured, heavily finished or recently stressed may be poor candidates for hauling in heat, and your veterinarian can help you decide.

How should you set up the trailer?

Open the airflow paths on the trailer as designed and clear anything that blocks them. Do not overload, since crowding adds heat and prevents animals from moving to find airflow. Use published loading guidance for your species, and lighten the load when it is hot.

Clean, dry flooring helps footing. Avoid dark metal surfaces exposed to full sun, and park the trailer in shade before and after loading.

• Park in shade before loading
• Keep loads lighter than usual
• Keep vents and slats clear
• Plan a route with few stops
• Know where to pull over safely
• Have a veterinarian's number ready

What should you do during the trip?

Keep moving when you can, because airflow drops when the trailer stops. Plan fuel and breaks so stops are short, and avoid leaving a loaded trailer parked in the sun. Check the animals at safe stops without putting yourself in danger.

Watch for signs such as open-mouth breathing, drooling, lethargy and animals that lie down. If you see them, find a safe place, call a veterinarian and follow their advice.

Make a plan for a breakdown. A loaded trailer stuck on a hot shoulder is an emergency for the animals. Keep a roadside assistance number that covers livestock trailers and the contact for a nearby facility that could help.

• Short stops only
• Never leave a loaded trailer in the sun
• Check animals from a safe position
• Call a veterinarian if an animal is distressed
• Carry water for yourself too

How do you protect people in the heat?

Handlers get heat illness too. Drink water, take shade breaks, wear light clothing and watch each other for signs of trouble such as dizziness, confusion or unusual weakness. Do not push through them. In an emergency, call 911.

The CDC and NIOSH publish guidance on heat and outdoor workers, and the American Red Cross explains how to recognize and respond to heat illness through its training. Seek that training instead of relying on memory.

• Drink water regularly
• Take shade breaks
• Watch helpers for dizziness or confusion
• Call 911 for a medical emergency

How can you prepare ahead of the season?

Before summer, service the trailer, check vents and flooring and review your plan with everyone who hauls. Keep your veterinarian's number and the destination's number in your phone.

Write a short heat plan and keep it in the truck. Include who decides to delay, where to park in shade and what to do if an animal shows signs of distress.

Teach every driver the same plan. A written page in the truck helps temporary helpers and family members who do not haul often.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.