Nicosia: A new study led by researchers at The Cyprus Institute, with contributions from Cyprus' Agricultural Research Institute, warns that climate change is increasing thermal stress in animals, posing a major challenge to global cattle farming.
According to Cyprus News Agency, without substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, impacts are expected to become evident as early as 2050 and worsen through the end of the century, directly affecting animal productivity and survival. Animals experience thermal stress when temperature and humidity rise above designated safe thresholds, increasing the risk of weight loss and fertility problems in cattle. This stress also reduces both the quantity and quality of milk production and, in extreme cases, can even lead to death.
The findings suggest that goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry may also face increasing risks due to comparable or higher tolerance thresholds than cattle. In the context of the new study, published in the journal PLOS Climate, researchers used advanced machine-learning methods to estimate future cattle exposure to thermal stress under different emission scenarios. This approach provides a clearer picture of how temperature and humidity are projected to influence heat stress experienced by cattle worldwide under future climate conditions.
According to the press release, the findings show that periods of severe thermal stress, which were extremely rare before 2020, are expected to become increasingly common in the coming decades. Model projections indicate that such events could increase twelve-fold by the end of the century without significant emission reductions.
Dr. Marco Neira, Associate Research Scientist at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of The Cyprus Institute, and lead author of the study, noted, "Our results indicate that these trends could have serious consequences for livestock farming, dairy production, and broader food production systems globally, with implications for food security and agricultural economies." The research underscores that reducing emissions and adapting livestock systems to climate change has become a global priority.
"In Cyprus, where heatwaves are already becoming more frequent and intense, this challenge is particularly relevant. Beyond basic adaptation measures such as adequate shading and animal cooling systems, researchers stress the need for longer-term, strategic solutions," the press release says. Genetic improvement programmes aimed at breeding heat-tolerant animals are noted as a cost-effective and scalable option that could strengthen the resilience of the farming sector and support the continued production of high-value products, such as halloumi, it concludes.