Climate change impacts shifting landscape of the dairy industry in Hawai‘i

Abstract

Proper knowledge and understanding of climatic variability across different seasons are important in farm management. To learn more about the potential effects of climate change on dairying in Hawaii, we conducted a study on site-specific climate characterization using several variables including rainfall, wind speed, solar radiation, and temperature, at two dairy farms located on Hawai`i Island, Hawai`i, in Ookala named “OK DAIRY,” and in Upolu Point named “UP DAIRY.” Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and wind speed variations in the hottest four months (JUN-SEP) were analyzed to determine when critical thresholds that affect animal health are exceeded. Rainfall data were used to estimate the capacity of forage production in 6-month wet (NOV-APR) and dry (MAY-OCT) seasons. Future projections of temperature and rainfall were assessed using mid- and end-century gridded data products for low (RCP 4.5) and high emissions (RCP 8.5) scenarios. Our results showed that the “OK DAIRY” site received higher rainfall than the “UP DAIRY” site, favoring grass growth and forage availability. In addition, the “UP DAIRY” site was more stressful for animals during the summer (THI 69 to 73) than the “OK DAIRY” site (THI 67 to 70) as the THI exceeded the critical threshold of 68 which is conducive for high lactating cattle. On the “UP DAIRY” site, the THI did not drop below 68 during the summer nights, which created fewer opportunities for cattle to recover from heat stress. Future projections indicated that air temperature would increase 1.3 to 1.8 °C by mid-century and 1.6 to 3.2 °C by the end of the century at both farms, and rainfall will increase at the “OK DAIRY” site and decrease at the “UP DAIRY” site by the end-of-century. The agriculture and livestock industries, particularly the dairy and beef subsectors in Hawai`i, are vulnerable to climate changes as higher temperatures and less rainfall will have adverse effects on cattle. The findings in this study demonstrated how both observed and projected changes in climates support the development of long-term strategies for breeding and holistic livestock management practices to adapt to changing climate conditions.

Gene Editing Cattle for Enhancing Heat Tolerance: A Welfare Review of the “PRLR-SLICK Cattle” Case

“…The livestock sector is developing strategies to cope with the rise in temperatures and increased frequency and severity of heat waves. In this connection, a study of the dairy industry in Hawaii is worth mentioning [59]. The research was conducted by examining two milk farms located in two different areas on Hawaii Island (the largest of the Hawaiian Islands).…”

“…The research was conducted by examining two milk farms located in two different areas on Hawaii Island (the largest of the Hawaiian Islands). With variables such as temperature, wind speed (WS) and solar radiation considered, "temperature-humidity index (THI) and WS variations in the hottest four months (June to September) were analysed to determine when critical thresholds that affect animal health are exceeded" ( [59], p. 1). Considering the climatic differences between the two sites studied and noting a greater vulnerability to heat stress events in one than the other, the authors suggest that a possible adaptation strategy would be relocation of farms to areas with a more favourable climate.…”

A Century of Drought in Hawaiʻi: Geospatial Analysis and Synthesis across Hydrological, Ecological, and Socioeconomic Scales

“…Modeling studies of future conditions have shown that drier future climate conditions [14] will result in lower groundwater recharge in already water-stressed leeward areas [132], and appropriate land management strategies can help mitigate the effects [142]. For example, ranchers in Hawai'i and other areas of the tropical Pacific may benefit from early planning for drought by cultivating hardy, drought-tolerant grass varieties, and manage groundwater supply for pasture irrigation to ensure continuous forage supply [143]. Understanding historical patterns, as well as future projections, helps to provide justification for investing in adaptation strategies that promote resilience to drought.…”

Editorial: Bridging (Epi-) Genomics and Environmental Changes: The Livestock Research

“…Agriculture production and livestock husbandry, particularly the dairy and beef industries, are vulnerable to climate change as higher temperatures and less rainfall will have adverse effects on cattle ( Adhikari et al, 2022 ). Global warming has been increasing, resulting in cows exposed under heat stress.…”