Climate Change Puts Global Milk Production at Risk, Despite Cooling Measures

Fast Summary

• A study published in Science Advances highlights how extreme heat reduces milk production by up to 10% on dairy farms, even those using advanced cooling technologies.
• Wet-bulb temperatures above 78°F cause significant drops in milk output, taking over 10 days for recovery.
• Despite widespread use of cooling systems like fans and misters, these measures recover only half the losses caused by heat stress.
• Researchers project global daily milk yield reductions of up to 4% in major milk-producing countries by 2050 without cooling interventions. Even with existing measures, losses are expected between 1.2-2.7%.
• The study emphasizes adaptation strategies beyond cooling systems, including cow welfare improvements and reduced confinement practices.

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indian Opinion Analysis

India is among the top global producers of dairy and houses one of the largest populations of dairy cattle globally. As climate change exacerbates heat stresses on livestock worldwide, this issue holds particular significance for India due to its tropical climate and reliance on dairy farming as a cornerstone of rural livelihoods.

The study suggests that technological adaptations like cooling measures cannot wholly mitigate productivity losses under extreme weather conditions. For India, where smallholder farmers dominate milk production with limited access to advanced systems or financial adaptability for investment in such adaptations, addressing both environmental impacts and economic sustainability becomes challenging.

Policymakers must prioritize multi-dimensional solutions that include improving housing conditions for livestock and considering breeding programs for heat-resistant cows alongside technological upgrades. Strengthening collaborative research efforts with experts worldwide could aid forward-looking strategies as temperatures continue rising globally-particularly given India’s dependence on affordable dairy products as nutritional staples.

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