Heat stress in dairy animals and current milk production trends, economics, and future perspectives: the global scenario

Abstract

Animal’s well-being, growth, and production are modulated by environmental conditions, and managemental practices and can be deleteriously affected by global warming phenomenon. In the recent years, unprecedented climatic fluctuations like sustained higher temperatures and humidity, heat waves, and solar flares have led to economic losses in $ billions to both milk and meat industry. It is estimated that by 2050, the US dairy industry alone will borne more than $1.7 billion loss. As human dependency on animal products like milk, meat, and eggs for nutrition is exponentially rising, there is urgency for maximum production. The high yielding animals are already under tremendous metabolic pressure making them more susceptible to adverse climatic conditions. When exposed to heat stress, livestock display a variety of behavioral and physiological acclimatization as essential survival strategies, but at the cost of decreased milk, meat, or egg production. Most of the studies have explored the heat stress in animals and its effect on different milk productions in a specific region or country. A clear understanding of the impact of global warming on dairy enterprise is yet to be comprehended. So this exploratory study will analyze impact of global warming on current milk production trends, economics, and future perspectives.