Intensive Livestock Industries

Climate change, including changes in the intensity and frequency of extreme events, will challenge traditional intensive livestock farming systems. Warmer and drier conditions are projected for most intensive livestock-producing regions, raising the likelihood and incidence of heat stress in stock. Traditional high energy and water use options for improving the environment of livestock under heat stress conditions are likely to be maladaptive. Low energy and low emission options should be identified and evaluated. Suppliers and consumers in global commodity markets will be affected by climate change and associated issues such as international food security, and governmental policy responses. The costs of inputs required to maintain productivity are likely to increase. Farmers and producers need to have a greater awareness of environmental, economic and social conditions beyond their farm gates than ever before. Livestock enterprises must have the flexibility to rapidly change management systems in response to dynamic environmental, economic and social conditions. Proactive adaptation is about risk management and creating opportunities for prosperity under dynamic and challenging conditions.