Question

Discuss the challenges and opportunities facing livestock industries in Australia in adapting to climate change.

Answer 1

Challenges -

There are various challenges that livestock industries of Australia is facing in respect to climate change. Firstly, the production of livestock will be affected by change in climate. and also due to the availability of water through the impact on forage and posture crop quantity and quality.

The rate of adoption of the adaptation strategies by the producers of livestock will be dependent upon the uncertainity in respect of projected change in climate and related risks.

Livestock peoduction systems are also affected by policy related with climate change and national targets to resolve greenhouse gas emissions.

Changes in intensity,frequency and duration of high weather events and other factors related with climate like soil moisture that will affect productivity and business planning of livestock industries.

Opportunities -

There are various technologies available for improving the quality of water available.It includes deep ripping to remove hard plans etc.

Further, livestock industries should use remotely sensed data to map productivity.

Moreover, farmers should adopt practices that can limit the impact of change in climate. It includes improving breeder herd efficiency, managing animal nutrition etc.

In higher rainfall areas, higher temperature in winter and reduced waterlogging will provides advantage to livestock production by minimising livestock feed requirement, increasing survival of young animals etc.