Lean Environmental Solutions

Guide · Georgia

Heatwave

Heat hurts crops at flowering, cuts milk, stresses bees and is dangerous for people working in the fields.

Who and when

Dairy cows in Kakheti are in heat discomfort almost all of August. Vines lose quality. Shepherds on the Vashlovani winter pastures say heat now starts around April.

Getting worse.

Right now

Right now (autumn 2026)

  • Jul 2026: the new METEO.GOV.GE app warns of high night-time temperatures up to 3 days ahead.
  • Autumn is a good time to plan shade trees and windbreaks (plant October to November).
Before

Before: get ready

Crops and trees

  1. Plan to water at night and mulch beds and young trees. (general practice, check locally)
  2. Put up shade nets (35–50%) over tomatoes and peppers before June. Nets over 70% cut yield. (general practice, check locally)
  3. In greenhouses, open vents and use whitewash or shade screens before summer. (general practice, check locally)
  4. Choose heat-tolerant varieties when you buy seed.

Animals

  1. Plant trees or build shade where animals stand. Trees work better than sheds. (general practice, check locally)
  2. Plan more water in the shade from April to September. Animals need 10–20% more water in heat. (general practice, check locally)
  3. Get warnings: the METEO.GOV.GE app gives about 3 days' notice.

Money: heat is not insured. The State Agro Co-financing Programme (since 1 Jul 2026) covers greenhouse projects, up to 50%.

During

During: when it hits

  1. Move heavy work, for people and animals, to early morning or night. (general practice, check locally)
  2. Give animals plenty of cool water all day. Concrete troughs keep water cooler than metal or black plastic. (general practice, check locally)
  3. Give enough shade for the whole flock. A little shade can be worse than none, because animals crowd. (general practice, check locally)
  4. Do not handle, vaccinate, move or truck animals in the heat. Watch for panting and drooling. Cattle over 39 °C and sheep over 41 °C are in danger. (general practice, check locally)
  5. Housed poultry and pigs: fewer animals per space, more air, more water. Outdoor pigs need a wallow above 25 °C. (general practice, check locally)
  6. Water crops at night.
After

After: recover

First days

  • Check animals every day.
  • Take dated photos of burnt crops and fruit.

First weeks

  • Expect lower milk, fertility and egg numbers for some weeks. Ask your vet.

Money and help

  • Record damage with photos that show date, time and place.
  • Heat is not insured, and no heat aid was found.
Build back better

Build back better

  1. Trees or shade in paddocks and pens.
  2. Shade nets and vents in greenhouses.
  3. Water storage, so animals and crops have water in the hottest weeks.

What the farm check looks for

Dairy cows or sheep with no shade or water near them. Greenhouses with no vents or shade. Field work done at midday.

Get a free farm check

Sources