CLIMATE SMART STRATEGIES FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

M. BROWN

Increase temperature (3°C by 2080)

Melted glaciers(rise in sea level by 5mm

ea yr)

Drought

Effects of global warming on the environment

Flooding

Reduced access to water

Animals suffer from dehydration, low milk production animals become sick, death of animals

STRATEGIES

• Infrastructure development- harvest and store rainwater, such as tanks

connected to the roofs of houses

• Reduce stocking density

• Improved management of water resources - drip sprinkler/irrigation - nipple drinker

Heat stress (Reduced production )

Reduces animals’ appetites, growth rate and fertility, and increases mortality rates

STRATEGIES

• Livestock management systems - provision of shade - feed animals at cooler times of the day - ensure water being offered is cool• Infrastructure

- Install fans in livestock units - Provide additional housing

Nutrient loss

Increase the lignification of plant tissues and thereby make forage less digestible

Reduced feed supplies

Loss of grazing land because of drought and rising grain prices globally

STRATEGIES

• Plant material - Select drought tolerant planting material

• Capacity building- Increase farmers awareness of CC- Implement fodder production and conservation practices

STRATEGIES

• Management - Reduce herd size- Implement soil and water management

practices- Communal feeding

• Science and technology development- New breeds (Selection of faster growing

breeds etc)

Rise in Infectious diseases

Particularly those that are spread by vectors (animals such as insects and ticks)

STRATEGIES

• Management - Reduce herd size - Readily cull sick animals - Increase biosecurity measures (separate sick animals from healthy ones)

Loss of reservoir of livestock genetic resources

Varieties and breeds may be abandoned by farmers and livestock keepers

STRATEGIES

• Breeding - Improve local genetics through cross

breeding- identification of local breeds/ strengthen- Storage of semen and embryos

FLOODING

Large numbers of animals killedBreed may be completely wiped out

STRATEGIES

• Infrastructure- Construct elevated houses- Build drains- Utilize sand bags where possible

•Management- Secure grains/fodder- Provide escape route for animals

Negative socio-economic impacts

Increased number of people at risk of hunger and food insecurity. Migration and civil unrest

STRATEGIES

• Institutional and policy changes- Insurance - Early warning system- Strategic farm planning

REFERENCES• The Impact of Climate Change on the Coastal Areas of Jamaica: The

Importance of Coastal Zone Management -Leiska Powell• www.ifad.org/lrkm/factsheet/cc.pdf • www.meteor.iastate.edu/classes/mt404/Lectures/Agriculture-Impacts.ppt

• www.intechopen.com/.../climate-change...effects/impacts-of-climate-ch

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION