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Title: Environmental and societal consequences of a possible CO/sub 2/-induced climate change. Volume II, Part 11. Effects of climate change on animal agriculture. [Proposals for research programs]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6712369

The impact of CO/sub 2/-induced increases in ambient temperature is predicted to result in an overall reduction in animal productivity, although animal productivity may increase in some parts of the world. New technologies will be needed to maintain or overcome the adverse effects of climate that are predicted. The effects of temperature (and other associated changes in climate) impact directly on the physiology of the animals as well as indirectly through changes in parasites, diseases, forages, crops and soils. The purpose of this paper is to identify the researchable issues which will permit animals to maintain and perhaps increase their food production capacity and efficiency in spite of potential increases in ambient temperature. In order for animal agricultural systems to maintain or increase efficiency and productivity in the face of altered climate, additional knowledge must be gained in understanding the multiplicity of pathways whereby weather exerts its effects on the biological components involved in animal agriculture. Research needed to permit animals to cope with increasing ambient temperatures are described for the following topics: animal productivity; nutrition; endocrinology; reproduction; acclimation and behavior; genetics; animal health; environmental modification and housing; adaptation, yield and quality of primary feed producing plants; soil resources for animal feed production; international aspects; systems management; and economics. The research approaches suggested range from highly detailed physiological and biochemical studies in environmentally controlled animal chambers to studies of animals managed in extensive grazing conditions.

Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA). Dept. of Dairy Science
DOE Contract Number:
AS01-79EV10019
OSTI ID:
6712369
Report Number(s):
DOE/EV/10019-11-Vol.2; ON: DE83002887
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English