An Australian study warns of worldwide risks for sheep farming due to climate change.
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Food, researchers have shed light on the dire consequences of climate change on sheep production in Australia, painting a grim picture of what the future holds for livestock farming worldwide as temperatures continue to rise.
Livestock, including sheep, cattle, and goats, are facing unprecedented challenges due to the increasing ambient temperatures brought about by climate change. The combination of high temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation disrupts animals' ability to regulate their body temperature, leading to a cascade of negative effects on their behavior, immune system, and physiology.
The study, led by Van Wettere and team, focused on the impact of heat stress on sheep reproduction in Australia. Under current climate conditions, heat stress during mating seasons is already causing significant losses, resulting in an estimated 2.1 million potential lambs lost annually, amounting to a staggering Australian $97 million in economic losses.
What is even more concerning is the projected future scenario. With a predicted 1–3 °C increase in ambient temperatures, the number of potential lambs lost each year due to heat stress is expected to soar to between 2.5 and 3.3 million, with economic losses skyrocketing to between Australian $117 and $166 million per annum. These numbers paint a grim reality for the Australian sheep industry and serve as a warning for global livestock production.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of heat stress on livestock. While intensive farming systems can employ artificial cooling methods, such as shade, fans, and misters, extensive and low-input systems face greater challenges in implementing such solutions. Switching to heat-tolerant livestock breeds or providing natural shade through trees and shrubs are suggested alternatives, but the feasibility of livestock farming in areas prone to extreme heat stress may be called into question in the near future.
The implications of this study extend far beyond Australia, with small ruminants like sheep playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers globally. Regions in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where a significant portion of the global sheep population is concentrated, are particularly at risk from the adverse effects of heat stress on livestock production.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the challenges faced by livestock farmers are only set to worsen. From reduced growth rates and increased reproductive losses to intergenerational impacts and additional stressors like soil degradation and water scarcity, the future of livestock production in a warmer world hangs in the balance.
The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to tackle climate change and safeguard the future of livestock farming and food security worldwide.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-00942-x
Livestock, including sheep, cattle, and goats, are facing unprecedented challenges due to the increasing ambient temperatures brought about by climate change. The combination of high temperatures, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation disrupts animals' ability to regulate their body temperature, leading to a cascade of negative effects on their behavior, immune system, and physiology.
The study, led by Van Wettere and team, focused on the impact of heat stress on sheep reproduction in Australia. Under current climate conditions, heat stress during mating seasons is already causing significant losses, resulting in an estimated 2.1 million potential lambs lost annually, amounting to a staggering Australian $97 million in economic losses.
What is even more concerning is the projected future scenario. With a predicted 1–3 °C increase in ambient temperatures, the number of potential lambs lost each year due to heat stress is expected to soar to between 2.5 and 3.3 million, with economic losses skyrocketing to between Australian $117 and $166 million per annum. These numbers paint a grim reality for the Australian sheep industry and serve as a warning for global livestock production.
The researchers emphasize the urgent need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of heat stress on livestock. While intensive farming systems can employ artificial cooling methods, such as shade, fans, and misters, extensive and low-input systems face greater challenges in implementing such solutions. Switching to heat-tolerant livestock breeds or providing natural shade through trees and shrubs are suggested alternatives, but the feasibility of livestock farming in areas prone to extreme heat stress may be called into question in the near future.
The implications of this study extend far beyond Australia, with small ruminants like sheep playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers globally. Regions in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where a significant portion of the global sheep population is concentrated, are particularly at risk from the adverse effects of heat stress on livestock production.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the challenges faced by livestock farmers are only set to worsen. From reduced growth rates and increased reproductive losses to intergenerational impacts and additional stressors like soil degradation and water scarcity, the future of livestock production in a warmer world hangs in the balance.
The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to tackle climate change and safeguard the future of livestock farming and food security worldwide.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-00942-x
Comments
Post a Comment