Climate Change on the Farm

Climate Change – Key Points

  1. It is warming

  2. It is us

  3. We are sure

  4. It is bad

  5. We can fix it

Livestock and Climate Change

  • Article: Livestock and climate change: impact of livestock on climate and mitigation strategies

→ agriculture is a source of CO2 emissions, but is not the only source of

→ Feed production is worth almost ½ of CO2 emissions from agriculture

Trends in Livestock animals

Things to take away from this chart:

  • Ruminents have the highest enteric methane production (from digestive through the stomach chambers)

  • Monogastrics (pigs and chickens) have low enteric methane production

  • Pigs have highest manure storage methane production

  • Chickens have the highest manure storage nitrous oxide production / emissions

Mitigation Strategies

Best Mitigation Strategies:

  • Manure Storage:

    • solid liquid separation , anaerobic digestion (remove O2 availability)

    • decrease manure storage time , frequently remove manure

    • increase productivity and farming techniques

  • Enteric Fermentation:

    • electron receptors

    • dietary lipids → add fat to the diet

  • Animal Management:

    • genetic selection → breed for less methane production

    • select better housing methods

Impacts of Climate Change on Livestock Production

  • Positive Impacts:

    • Extended growing seasons.

    • Increase in frost-free days, which can enhance animal health by reducing cold-induced injuries.

    • NOTE: these positives are all short term

  • Negative Impacts:

    • Increased exposure to more extreme temperature conditions: heat stress, droughts, and fires.

    • Reduced water and feed supply (shorter supply will cause increase in feed prices)

    • water quality decreases

    • increased risk of livestock diseases

    • lower productivity in animals and reduced reproduction

Environmental Contributions and Management

Causes of the Big 4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

    • fossil fuel combustion, land clearing for agriculture, and forest soil degradation.

    • Natural processes such as reforestation absorb CO2

    • oceans absorb CO2 but as a result are becoming more acidic and decreasing O2 concentration

  • Methane (CH4):

    • Major sources include agricultural activities, waste management, energy use, and biomass burning.

  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O):

    • Primarily from agricultural practices such as fertilizer use

    • livestock manure management

    • Also results from fossil fuel combustion.

  • Fluorinated Gases (F-gases):

    • Emissions from industrial processes and consumer products such as refrigeration.

Key Takeaways

  • Climate Change is already here and will become worse

  • Benefits and negative impacts are not fully understood → very complex

  • Many gaps in research related to water availability for livestock

  • identify breeds with inherent genetic adaptations to high climates

  • large uncertainties in energy costs of processing and transporting livestock

  • Adaptation Strategies:

    • Explore genetic capabilities of livestock to adapt to climate change.

    • Use water-saving technologies, such as rainwater collection, to mitigate impacts from reduced water supplies.

    • Implement strategic herd management to adapt to environmental changes.

Things to do in water crisis:

  • rain collection to obtain extra water → use plastic cover to trap precipitation

  • reduce herd size → if you can’t handle the amount, reduce

  • ration water → recycle milk where ever possible

  • force rain by flying plane through clouds

Mitigation Options

  • Water Management Strategies:

    • Use plastic covers for rainwater collection to enhance water resource availability.

    • Implement practices to minimize evaporation during water collection.

  • Herd Management:

    • Adjust herd sizes to ensure sustainability

    • provide mister to spray water mist onto animal for high heat days

  • Nutritional Adjustments:

    • Modify diets to include fats, lowering methane emissions.

  • Storage Management:

    • Decrease the storage time of manure to reduce greenhouse emissions.

  • Public Practices:

    • Promote public transport and alternative practices to reduce emissions related to livestock production.