Table 9.
Major issues in animal production that will be affected by climate change impacts
| Major issue | Potential climate change impacts | Opportunities for R and D |
|---|---|---|
| Heat stress | Physiology | Adaptation |
| Metabolic | Feed efficiency | |
| Reduced feed intake | Measures to increase intake | |
| Reduced reproduction | Supplementation | |
| Increased mortality | Improved management | |
| Low productivity | ||
| Feed resources (Forages, crop residues, AIBP and NCFR)* | Reduced quantities | Use more heat tolerant plants |
| Poorer nutritional quality | Food-feed systems | |
| More fibrous | Use of multipurpose tree legumes | |
| Decreased palatability | Conservation | |
| Supplementation | ||
| Land use systems | Shift to dryland agriculture | Heat tolerant plants and animals |
| Droughts | Emphasis on rainfed agriculture | |
| Water scarcity | Maximising feed intake | |
| Diversification of agriculture | Improved agronomic practices | |
| Sustainability | ||
| Animal species and breeds | Adaptation | Dynamics of nomadic and transhumant systems |
| Possible reduction in size | Ensuring choice for AEZ | |
| Loss of biodiversity | Understanding interactions with the environment | |
| Migratory systems | Vulnerability and survival of the poor and his animals | |
| GHG emissions from enteric fermentation and manure, producing global warming | Reduced crop growth and animal productivity | Improved use of grasses, legumes and agronomic practices |
| Poor C sequestration | Use of dietary nitrates to reduce CH 4 | |
| Intensification | ||
| Integrates NRM and holistic systems* | R and D capacity | Interdisciplinary |
| Use of systems perspectives | ||
| C sequestration | ||
| Semi-arid and arid AEZs including rangelands | Reduced feeds | Control of numbers |
| Overstocking | Use of multipurpose leguminous trees | |
| Environmental damage | Improved management | |
| Landlessness |
*
AIBP = Agro-industrial by-products; NCFR = Non-conventional feed resources; NRM = Natural resource management.