A study published in Lancet in 2022 has revealed alarming predictions for India’s dairy sector. According to the report, the increasing temperatures could lead to a drop in milk production by up to 25% in India’s arid and semi-arid regions by 2085. This is the second-highest prediction after Pakistan, which is expected to observe a decrease of 28.7% in these areas.
Heat Stress on Cattle and its Impact
Heat stress, caused by escalated temperatures, prevents cows from exhibiting natural mating behavior. The intensity and duration of oestrus, or the period when female animals are ready for mating, significantly decrease. During the summer seasons, conception rates can drop between 20 and 30%.
The study also revealed that lactating dairy cows are more susceptible to heat stress than nonlactating ones. Higher yielding cows are especially at risk because there’s a positive correlation between milk yield and heat production.
The Effect of Rising Temperatures on Dairy Sector
Despite a steady increase in milk production, the rising temperatures, particularly on cross-bred cows, might pose challenges in meeting domestic demand. This could eventually result in a decrease in per capita consumption.
Climate change will affect the dairy sector in two major ways. One is the direct impact, where changes in the temperature-humidity index cause stress to animals, negatively affecting milk yield. Indirect impacts include challenges with feed and water availability due to adverse weather conditions.
Current State of Milk Production in India
The ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022’ report states that India produced 221.06 million tonnes of milk in 2021-2022, making it the largest milk-producing country globally. Indigenous cattle contribute to 10.35% of this total production, while non-descript buffaloes provide 13.49%.
The top five milk-producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, contributing 15.05%, 14.93%, 8.06%, 7.56% and 6.97% respectively to the total production. Finally, India also contributes approximately 23% to global milk production.
Challenges Faced by Dairy Farmers
Farmers claim that some governmental policies are causing a decline in milk productivity. One such policy is sex-sorted semen production, which aims to produce female calves with up to “90% accuracy”. Though this has been put in place to boost milk production and limit stray cattle population, it may inadvertently eliminate male cattle from the equation in the longer run.
The Use of Artificial Insemination in Dairy Farming
Artificial insemination is a modern method used to impregnate female breeds, aimed at preventing the spread of genital diseases and improving breed efficiency. However, there are certainly ethical considerations surrounding this practice, as it leads to eliminating natural mating and potentially causes distress or pain during the process.
Possible Solutions and the Way Forward
To mitigate the impact of climate change on the dairy sector, research and innovation in cattle breeding and management practices must be encouraged. Sustainable farming practices and the use of renewable energy sources for dairy operations should be promoted.
Policies that consider the welfare of both male and female cattle are pivotal. Additionally, options for the responsible management of unproductive female cattle need to be explored. As greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector contribute to climate change, adaptation strategies and mitigation efforts need to be implemented.