Climate change and livestock : Impacts and mitigation
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P Mayengbam and TC Tolenkhomba
Contd from previous issue
Thermal livestock stress decreases efficiency of feed conversion (McDowell, 1968), especially for livestock that are fed large amounts of high-quality feeds (Huan, 1997). In the case of cattle, feed intake reduction leads to a negative energy balance and reduced weight gain (Lacetera et al., 1996, 2003). Reduction of water intake may also decrease sweating and feed intake (Henry et al., 2012).
Milk Production
The potential direct effects of possible climate change and global warming on milk production of indigenous, crossbred cattle and buffaloes have been evaluated using widely known global circulation model United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO) to represent possible scenarios of future climate (Ruosteenoja et al., 2003). The studies indicate tat production of livestock is greatly impacted by temperature variations and rise in temperature. Studies with UKMO indicate a temperature rise of 1.0 or 1.20C with minor change in precipitation during March-August for India (Region 23-HADCM3 A2/B2 scenario) will marginally affect ilk production and during other months productivity will remain relatively unaffected.
A small rise in temperature due to climate change is not likely to impact physiological functions of animals due to their adaptive capacity. But physiological functions like milk production and reproductive will be adversely impacted by projected temperature rise of more than 40C over existing temperatures for time slice 20170-2099 (Upadhyay et al., 2013). The negative impact of temperature rise on total milk production for India has been estimated about 1.6 million tons in 2020 and more than 15 million tons in 2050. Northern India is likely to experience more negative impact of climate change on milk production of both cattle and buffaloes due to rise in temperature during 2040-2069 and 2070-2099 (Upadhyay et al., 2007, 2008a).
A sudden change in temperature, either a rise in Tmax during summer i.e. heat wave or fall in Tmin during winter i.e. cold wave; cause a decline in milk yield. Both increase in Tmax (>40C above normal) during summer and decline in Tmin (>30C than normal) during winter negatively impact milk production of crossbred cattle and buffaloes (Upadhayay et al., 2013). The decline in yield varies from 10-30% in first lactation and 5-20% in second and third lactation.
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
Thermal livestock stress decreases efficiency of feed conversion (McDowell, 1968), especially for livestock that are fed large amounts of high-quality feeds (Huan, 1997). In the case of cattle, feed intake reduction leads to a negative energy balance and reduced weight gain (Lacetera et al., 1996, 2003). Reduction of water intake may also decrease sweating and feed intake (Henry et al., 2012).
Milk Production
The potential direct effects of possible climate change and global warming on milk production of indigenous, crossbred cattle and buffaloes have been evaluated using widely known global circulation model United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO) to represent possible scenarios of future climate (Ruosteenoja et al., 2003). The studies indicate tat production of livestock is greatly impacted by temperature variations and rise in temperature. Studies with UKMO indicate a temperature rise of 1.0 or 1.20C with minor change in precipitation during March-August for India (Region 23-HADCM3 A2/B2 scenario) will marginally affect ilk production and during other months productivity will remain relatively unaffected.
A small rise in temperature due to climate change is not likely to impact physiological functions of animals due to their adaptive capacity. But physiological functions like milk production and reproductive will be adversely impacted by projected temperature rise of more than 40C over existing temperatures for time slice 20170-2099 (Upadhyay et al., 2013). The negative impact of temperature rise on total milk production for India has been estimated about 1.6 million tons in 2020 and more than 15 million tons in 2050. Northern India is likely to experience more negative impact of climate change on milk production of both cattle and buffaloes due to rise in temperature during 2040-2069 and 2070-2099 (Upadhyay et al., 2007, 2008a).
A sudden change in temperature, either a rise in Tmax during summer i.e. heat wave or fall in Tmin during winter i.e. cold wave; cause a decline in milk yield. Both increase in Tmax (>40C above normal) during summer and decline in Tmin (>30C than normal) during winter negatively impact milk production of crossbred cattle and buffaloes (Upadhayay et al., 2013). The decline in yield varies from 10-30% in first lactation and 5-20% in second and third lactation.
(To be contd)