Climate Change (noun): A change in global or regional climate patterns caused by the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels
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Climate change is already having a measurable effect on agriculture all around the world and continues to pose new challenges. It has increased the risk of flooding, heat stress, pests, disease, and more. This post will discuss how climate change will affect different aspects of agriculture and how farmers can be better prepared and adapt to these changes.
Water
The issue:
Water pollution has increased and fresh water is becoming scarce.
How to fix it:
- Good conservation practices such as planting a buffer of tree/bushes along water sources (rivers, streams, etc.) to prevent erosion and contamination from crop runoff.
- Also, wastewater caused by agricultural processing should be treated before being released back into waterways.
Crops
The issue:
When it comes to crops there are many factors that contribute to the decrease of crop yield. Increased CO2 levels can stimulate growth, but it can also reduce the nutritional value. Extreme temperatures (if the temperature exceeds a crop’s optimal level) such as a sudden freeze/frost or warm up could result in a loss of crops or other plants. An increased chance of rainfall or flood can delay planting, cause root damage, contaminate waterways from run-off, and affect the soil due to loss from erosion or compaction from heavy machinery. With droughts come less water and higher temperatures; this causes drier soil and limited water or nutrients for plant growth resulting in a decrease in quality and crop yield. Weeds and pests are learning how to adapt and thrive with climatic changes causing the pressure to use chemical control methods to increase. Pest populations will continue to expand, their survivorship will increase, and more intense management will be required. Weeds will need to be controlled for longer while their seed production will be greater, and they will compete with crops valued nutrients.
How to fix it:
- Consider investing in a windbreak, frost barrier, heaters, and wind machines. Pay close attention to the forecast–harvest early, irrigate before or during a freeze/frost.
- Shift planting dates to avoid wet conditions. Increase soil organic matter for better drainage. Practice reduced tillage, cover cropping, and creating composts. Invest in a good drainage system or buy/lease land with better acreage.
- Shift planting dates to avoid dry periods. Increase irrigation capacity for high-value crops. Shift to drought-tolerant crops.
- Improve monitoring and rapid response plans when weeds and pests are spotted. Implement IPM (Integrated Pest Management); this will help balance weed/pest control while avoiding economic and health related costs due to chemical application.
Livestock
The issue:
One of the biggest concerns of how climate change will affect livestock is heat stress. This can lead to vulnerability of diseases as well as reduce productivity, milk production, and reproductive capacity. However, it can indirectly affect them by threatening pasture and feed supplies (which will reduce the amount of quality forage available) and by prevalence of parasites (which can lead to diseases).
How to fix it:
- Reduce overcrowding, adequate shelter (minimizes heat exposure, proper ventilation, insulation, fans, etc.), increase water availability, and consider investing in a sprinkler system.
- Make sure feed supplies are in proper storage.
- Improve parasite control and consider changing veterinary management practices (just be cautious of stress and pesticide/antibiotic resistance).
So when it comes to climate change, make sure you have a plan. You need to know where you are now and where you are going. Start with how your farm operates. Then think of ways it can run more efficiently. Finally, consider different scenarios due to climate change or other environmental/economic factors and asses if your farm could survive the outcomes. Farms with a sound management plan have a better chance of saving money and reducing their climate impact.
Climate Smart Farming, a Cornell University effort at http://climatesmartfarming.org/ has management resources as well that producers may find helpful. The primary focus of this site is giving farmers tools to help anticipate and alter management techniques to diminish risks associated with climate change.
If you know of other ways how climate change will affect agriculture and preventative tips, please send them my way: kls342@cornell.edu
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Sources
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/5-ways-farmers-can-work-around-climate-change/
http://climatesmartfarming.org/changing-climate/
