impacts > Agriculture >
Livestock production impacts
In this section, you will find potential benefits and drawbacks for livestock production in Manitoba due to
Higher temperatures
Heat stress
With summer temperatures 3 – 4°C warmer than now, livestock will be more vulnerable to heat stress during the warmest months, resulting in decreased productivity and reproduction. (1) Hogs and poultry are especially susceptible to heat-related injury and death because they have no sweat glands. The demand—and cost—for water and cooling systems will grow. (2)
Cattle over-wintered outside, however, will face less stress from harsh cold, and will likely gain more over winter. (3)
Insects and pathogens
The exact impacts of climate change on insects and pathogens is somewhat uncertain — some changes may be favourable to insects and pathogens while others may be negative. Most evidence, however, indicates an overall increase in the number of outbreaks of a wider variety of insects and pathogens. (4)
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Changing precipitation
Water quantity
Of the total rain fall expected, more will fall in intense events, so the length of dry periods between rains will likely increase. Together with warmer temperatures (causing more water loss), the result will likely be increased drought frequency and severity. (5)
Water quality
Water quality for livestock could also be an issue because of warmer temperatures and increased water loss, resulting in decreased water supplies in summer. Less available surface water means less dilution of pollutants, resulting in poorer water quality. Increased spring rains could also result in more pollution, from such sources as flooded lands and breached manure storage facilities. (6)
Overall, the availability of water for livestock is likely to become a major issue.
