As global temperatures continue to rise and climate variability intensifies, heat stress has emerged as one of the biggest challenges facing livestock systems worldwide. Ruminants including cattle, sheep, and goat play a central role in food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural systems. However, their productivity, health, welfare, and reproductive efficiency are increasingly threatened by climate change induced thermal stress. Addressing this challenge demands innovative, interdisciplinary research that advances our understanding of biological adaptation, management strategies, and technological solutions.

To advance this critical field, this special edition will focus exclusively on Heat Tolerance in Ruminants. This issue aims to bring together leading scientists, early-career researchers, and industry innovators to showcase cutting-edge research, emerging methodologies, and practical applications that support climate-resilient livestock production. 

This special edition is very timely as heat stress affects ruminants at molecular, cellular and metabolic level to behavior, immunity, and productivity. Its impacts extend beyond animal performance, influencing feed efficiency, and economic sustainability. With climate projections indicating more frequent and intense heat events, developing heat-tolerant animals and adaptive management systems is no longer optional—it is essential.

This special issue seeks to highlight research that not only deepens scientific understanding but also contributes actionable insights for producers, policymakers, and the broader agricultural community.

We invite submissions covering a wide range of themes, including but not limited to:

• Physiological and molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance

• Genetic selection and breeding strategies for thermal resilience

• Nutritional and rumen-based mitigation approaches

• Precision livestock technologies for heat stress detection and management

• Behavioural and welfare indicators of thermal stress

• Climate-smart housing, shade, and cooling interventions.  https://www.nature.com/collections/igbajhaiic/guest-editors