Future consequences and challenges for dairy cow production systems arising from climate change in Central Europe – a review
M. Gauly,
H. Bollwein,
G. Breves,
K. Brügemann,
S. Dänicke,
G. Daş,
J. Demeler,
H. Hansen,
J. Isselstein,
S. König,
M. Lohölter,
M. Martinsohn,
U. Meyer,
M. Potthoff,
C. Sanker,
B. Schröder,
N. Wrage,
B. Meibaum,
G. von Samson-Himmelstjerna,
H. Stinshoff,
C. Wrenzycki
Affiliations
M. Gauly
Department of Animal Sciences, Division of Livestock Production, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
H. Bollwein
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
G. Breves
Institute for Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
K. Brügemann
Department of Animal Breeding, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
S. Dänicke
Institute for Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Instute, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
G. Daş
Department of Animal Sciences, Division of Livestock Production, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
J. Demeler
Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany
H. Hansen
Institute of Farm Economics, Johann von Thünen-Institute, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
J. Isselstein
Department of Crop Science, Division of Grassland Science, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 8, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
S. König
Department of Animal Breeding, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
M. Lohölter
Institute for Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Instute, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
M. Martinsohn
Institute of Farm Economics, Johann von Thünen-Institute, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
U. Meyer
Institute for Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler-Instute, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
M. Potthoff
Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, Section Agriculture and the Environment, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
C. Sanker
Department of Animal Sciences, Division of Livestock Production, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
B. Schröder
Institute for Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
N. Wrage
Department of Crop Science, Division of Grassland Science, University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 8, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
B. Meibaum
Institute for Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
G. von Samson-Himmelstjerna
Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, Königsweg 67, 14163 Berlin, Germany
H. Stinshoff
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
C. Wrenzycki
Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
It is well documented that global warming is unequivocal. Dairy production systems are considered as important sources of greenhouse gas emissions; however, little is known about the sensitivity and vulnerability of these production systems themselves to climate warming. This review brings different aspects of dairy cow production in Central Europe into focus, with a holistic approach to emphasize potential future consequences and challenges arising from climate change. With the current understanding of the effects of climate change, it is expected that yield of forage per hectare will be influenced positively, whereas quality will mainly depend on water availability and soil characteristics. Thus, the botanical composition of future grassland should include species that are able to withstand the changing conditions (e.g. lucerne and bird's foot trefoil). Changes in nutrient concentration of forage plants, elevated heat loads and altered feeding patterns of animals may influence rumen physiology. Several promising nutritional strategies are available to lower potential negative impacts of climate change on dairy cow nutrition and performance. Adjustment of feeding and drinking regimes, diet composition and additive supplementation can contribute to the maintenance of adequate dairy cow nutrition and performance. Provision of adequate shade and cooling will reduce the direct effects of heat stress. As estimated genetic parameters are promising, heat stress tolerance as a functional trait may be included into breeding programmes. Indirect effects of global warming on the health and welfare of animals seem to be more complicated and thus are less predictable. As the epidemiology of certain gastrointestinal nematodes and liver fluke is favourably influenced by increased temperature and humidity, relations between climate change and disease dynamics should be followed closely. Under current conditions, climate change associated economic impacts are estimated to be neutral if some form of adaptation is integrated. Therefore, it is essential to establish and adopt mitigation strategies covering available tools from management, nutrition, health and plant and animal breeding to cope with the future consequences of climate change on dairy farming.
