Shadow
07-14-2012, 12:14 PM
THURSDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- Rising temperatures caused by climate change may lead to reduced milk production (http://www.debatepolicy.com/#) among cows in the southern United States, a new study suggests.
University of Washington researchers analyzed climate and dairy industry data and concluded that the effects of climate change on milk production by Holstein cows through 2080 will vary across the United States due to major regional differences in humidity and swings between day and night temperatures.
For example, the humidity and hot nights in the Southeast make that region the most unfriendly place in the United States for dairy cows, the study authors said in a university news release.
The study concluded that "regions that are currently experiencing the greatest losses [in milk production] are also the most susceptible: They are projected to be impacted the most by climate change."
Study author Yoram Bauman summed up the findings this way: "Cows are happy in parts of Northern California and not in Florida."
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/12/climate-change-may-cut-cows-milk-production-in-south
University of Washington researchers analyzed climate and dairy industry data and concluded that the effects of climate change on milk production by Holstein cows through 2080 will vary across the United States due to major regional differences in humidity and swings between day and night temperatures.
For example, the humidity and hot nights in the Southeast make that region the most unfriendly place in the United States for dairy cows, the study authors said in a university news release.
The study concluded that "regions that are currently experiencing the greatest losses [in milk production] are also the most susceptible: They are projected to be impacted the most by climate change."
Study author Yoram Bauman summed up the findings this way: "Cows are happy in parts of Northern California and not in Florida."
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/07/12/climate-change-may-cut-cows-milk-production-in-south