Climate Change Impact on Livestock: Adaptation and Mitigation

The Impact of Heat Load on Cattle

“…The effect of climate change is highly variable globally and is largely influenced by geographical location. Cattle and livestock enterprises have the ability to adapt to an increasing mean global temperature, the primary concern, however, is the ability of livestock to cope with climatic extremes, e.g., heat waves [8]. Climate change has the potential to present as (i) rapid changes in climate over a couple of years or (ii) as more subtle changes over decades [8].…”

“…Cattle and livestock enterprises have the ability to adapt to an increasing mean global temperature, the primary concern, however, is the ability of livestock to cope with climatic extremes, e.g., heat waves [8]. Climate change has the potential to present as (i) rapid changes in climate over a couple of years or (ii) as more subtle changes over decades [8]. However, irrespective of the manifestation of climate change, global warming is likely to have a significant impact on the stability and sustainability of livestock production worldwide.…”

“…However, these adaptations may not be successful for species survival with the predicted climate change [11]. Predicting the effect of climate change on livestock is somewhat challenging due to the interrelationships that exist between the animal and its surrounding environment, and the impact of human activity on these relationships [8]. It is also important to consider the indirect effects of climate change on soil fertility and degradation, water availability, grain yield, quality and availability, and spread of diseases/pathogens that may potentially impact the cattle producers and their ability to manage periods of hot weather [9,12].…”

“…Climatic trends of heat waves differ from summer to summer, and future predictions suggest that the climatic behavior of heat wave events over the years will continue to be varied [16,17]. Gaughan and Cawdell-Smith [8] suggested that there is little doubt that there has been an increase in heat waves since the 1990’s. Although, over the last 50 years there has been a significant advancement in the ability to predict and forecast climatic events [16].…”

“…During periods of hot weather, an increase in core body temperature becomes a function of heat accumulated and dissipated between the animal and the environment [69]. Therefore changes in body temperature can be considered to be a reliable indicator of heat storage and disrupted homeostasis [70,71]. However, it is important to consider that body temperature is not static and exhibits a circadian rhythm [72,73], although is generally regulated within a ± 1 °C gradient [46].…”