Climate Change, Heat Stress, and U.S. Dairy Production

Key, Nigel; Sneeringer, Stacy; Marquardt, David

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2506668

Cited by 77 publications

(89 citation statements)

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“…All of these actions require some metabolic energy and the supply to dairy cow will reduce the amount of metabolic energy, which is normally spent on milk production (Key, Sneeringer & Marquardt, 2014;Collier & Gebremedhin, 2014;Anzures et al, 2015).…”

Section: From Loop Diagram Represented Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

A conceptual model to describe heat stress in dairy cows from actual to questionable loops

Guerrero

Atzori

2018

Acta Agron.

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A conceptual model to describe heat stress in dairy cows from actual to questionable loops Modelo conceptual para describir el estrés calórico en vacas lecheras a partir de bucles reales a cuestionables AbstractThermal environment is recognized to be one the most important ecological factor to determine domestic animal growth, development and productivity for direct and indirect effects on its physiology and behavior. Despite having specific and individual adaptation, is very common, within seasonal or diurnal temperature variations, animals deal with situations outside their thermal comfort zone. Due to heat stress, dairy cows reduce milk production and fertility, and therefore, had achieved an increasing in metabolic disorders incidence, causing low revenues to farm in short and medium periods. Due to world climate change more impact of the meteorological variables on animal responses is expected for the future. This study aimed to describe and understand the interactions of variables associated with heat stress in dairy cattle. System thinking approach to this specific physiological mechanism might help to better focus managerial aspects related to grazing conditions and animal needs. A causal loop diagram annotation used to connect biological variables included in system boundaries. Causal connections were validated with literature citations on the heat stress influence. The most important feedback loops highlighted underline dominant structure and expected patterns. Four balancing loops involved in physiological mechanisms used by animals in order to reduce metabolic heat production and to regulate homeostasis of the internal temperature, were found. Keywords:Climate change, grazing, livestock production systems, milk production, system dynamics, temperature. ResumenSe reconoce que el ambiente térmico es uno de los factores ecológicos más importantes para determinar el crecimiento, el desarrollo y la productividad de animales domésticos con efectos directos e indirectos sobre su fisiología y comportamiento. A pesar de tener una adaptación específica e individual, es muy común que, dentro de las variaciones de temperatura estacionales o diurnas, los animales se enfrenten a situaciones fuera de su zona de confort térmico. Debido al estrés calórico, las vacas lecheras reducen su producción y fertilidad, y por lo tanto, llevan a cabo un aumento en la incidencia de trastornos metabólicos, causando bajos ingresos para la finca a corto y mediano plazo. Debido al cambio climático mundial, se espera un mayor impacto de las variables meteorológicas en las respuestas de los animales para el futuro. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir y comprender las interacciones de las variables asociadas con el estrés calórico en el ganado lechero. El enfoque dinámica de sistemas aplicado a este mecanismo fisiológico específico ayuda a entender el estrés calórico en vacas lecheras cuando se relacionan los aspectos de pastoreo y las necesidades del animal. Se usó una anotación de diagrama de bucle causal para conectar las var...

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Section: From Loop Diagram Represented Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

A conceptual model to describe heat stress in dairy cows from actual to questionable loops

Guerrero

Atzori

2018

Acta Agron.

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“…Heat stress can be fatal for cattle in feedlots, especially for those fed large quantities of high-quality feeds (Hahn 1997;Howden et al 2007). Dairy production is also reduced by high-temperature stress (Key et al 2014).…”

Section: • Reduced Vegetative Cover (D)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability of Southern Plains agriculture to climate change

et al. 2017

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Projections of greater interannual and intrannual climate variability, including increasing temperatures, longer and more intense drought periods, and more extreme precipitation events, present growing challenges for agricultural production in the Southern Plains of the USA. We assess agricultural vulnerabilities within this region to support identification and development of adaptation strategies at regional to local scales, where many management decisions are made. Exposure to the synergistic effects of warming, such as fewer and more intense precipitation events and greater overall weather variability, will uniquely affect rain-fed and irrigated cropping, high-value specialty crops, extensive and intensive livestock production, and forestry. Although the sensitivities of various agricultural sectors to climatic stressors can be difficult to identify at regional scales, we summarize that crops irrigated from the Ogallala aquifer possess a high sensitivity; rangeland beef cattle production a low sensitivity; and rain-fed crops, forestry, and specialty crops intermediate sensitivities. Numerous adaptation strategies have been identified, including drought contingency planning, increased soil health, improved forecasts and associated decision support tools, and implementation of policies and financial instruments for risk management. However, the extent to which these strategies are adopted is variable and influenced by both biophysical and socioeconomic considerations. Inadequate local-and regional-scale climate risk and resilience information suggests that climate vulnerability research and climate adaptation approaches need to include bottom-up approaches such as learning networks and peer-to-peer communication.

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“…While there have not been as many regional analyses of likely climate change-related impacts on livestock as for crops, existing studies suggest that higher temperatures projected for the twentyfirst century are likely to cause heat stress for livestock, which will affect reproductive health, milk production, and can cause mortality (Key et al, 2014;Mauger et al, 2015). However, climate change impacts in the Northwest may be less detrimental than other regions of the country.…”

Section: Livestock Systems In a Changing Climate Climate Impacts And mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, an economic analysis of the effects of climate change on milk production estimated that Washington State would experience a 0.4% loss in milk production from climate change by the end of the century, compared to Florida's projected 25% loss (Mauger et al, 2015). There may be opportunities to expand use of many heat stress reduction practices that are already implemented in the Northwest U.S. and other regions (e.g., Pressman, 2010;Brush et al, 2011;Key et al, 2014).…”

Section: Livestock Systems In a Changing Climate Climate Impacts And mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Short term adaptation strategies for heat stress include carefully monitoring ventilation systems, monitoring animal behavior for signs of heat stress, improving protocols for feeding animals in extreme weather, and adding more watering locations, shade structures, or other heat abatement systems (Pressman, 2010;Brush et al, 2011;Key et al, 2014). Many of these short-term adaptation strategies mentioned are already implemented on farms.…”

Section: Priorities For Mitigation and Adaptation In Livestock Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Northwest U.S. Agriculture in a Changing Climate: Collaboratively Defined Research and Extension Priorities

Yorgey

Hall

Allen

et al. 2017

Front. Environ. Sci.

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In order for agricultural systems to successfully mitigate and adapt to climate change there is a need to coordinate and prioritize next steps for research and extension. This includes focusing on "win-win" management practices that simultaneously provide short-term benefits to farmers and improve the sustainability and resiliency of agricultural systems with respect to climate change. In the Northwest U.S., a collaborative process has been used to engage individuals spanning the research-practice continuum. This collaborative approach was utilized at a 2016 workshop titled "Agriculture in a Changing Climate," that included a broad range of participants including university faculty and students, crop and livestock producers, and individuals representing state, tribal and federal government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, and conservation districts. The Northwest U.S. encompasses a range of agro-ecological systems and diverse geographic and climatic contexts. Regional research and science communication efforts for climate change and agriculture have a strong history of engaging diverse stakeholders. These features of the Northwest U.S. provide a foundation for the collaborative research and extension prioritization presented here. We focus on identifying research and extension actions that can be taken over the next 5 years in four areas identified as important areas by conference organizers and participants: (1) cropping systems, (2) livestock systems, (3) decision support systems to support consideration of climate change in agricultural management decisions; and (4) partnerships among researchers and stakeholders. We couple insights from the workshop and a review of current literature to articulate current scientific understanding, and priorities recommended by workshop participants that target existing knowledge Yorgey et al.Priorities for U.S. Northwest Agriculture in a Changing Climate gaps, challenges, and opportunities. Priorities defined at the Agriculture in a Changing Climate workshop highlight the need for ongoing investment in interdisciplinary research integrating social, economic, and biophysical sciences, strategic collaborations, and knowledge sharing to develop actionable science that can support informed decision-making in the agriculture sector as the climate changes.

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Climate Change, Heat Stress, and U.S. Dairy Production

Cited by 77 publications

References 50 publications

A conceptual model to describe heat stress in dairy cows from actual to questionable loops

A conceptual model to describe heat stress in dairy cows from actual to questionable loops

Vulnerability of Southern Plains agriculture to climate change

Northwest U.S. Agriculture in a Changing Climate: Collaboratively Defined Research and Extension Priorities

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