Systems and methods are provided for controlling heat stress and accumulations in livestock using the application of water sprays onto the animal in conjunction with fan induced airflow. The system has a controller with sensor inputs of the ambient environment including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and surrounding surface temperature sensors and fan and spray control outputs. To achieve savings in water and electricity, a transient, one-dimensional simultaneous heat and mass transfer model of evaporation within the wetted fur layer of a dairy cow is used to estimate drying time and heat rejection rate based on ambient conditions along with a control algorithm to predict the fan speed and sprinkler operation frequency needed to meet specified cooling load thresholds given the outdoor conditions. Estimated savings demonstrated that the model-based controller could reduce annual electricity and water consumption by 20% and 40%, respectively.