Extreme heat impacts dairy production, and small farms are most vulnerable

Dairy production significantly impacted by rising temperatures, say US researchers

Learn about how heat stress threatens dairy production, reducing yields and impacting small farms the most.

Extreme heat impacts dairy production, and small farms are most vulnerable

Livestock agriculture is bearing the cost of extreme weather events. A study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores how heat stress affects U.S. dairy production, finding that high heat and humidity lead to a 1% decline in annual milk yield. Small farms are hit harder than large farms, which may be able to mitigate some of the effects through management strategies.

How extreme heat affects dairy production

Illinois study finds heat stress leads to 1% milk yield decline, and small farms are most vulnerable.

Illinois Research Reveals Extreme Heat’s Adverse Effects on Dairy

Extreme weather events are wreaking havoc on livestock agriculture, with a recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shining a spotlight on the impacts of heat stress on dairy cows. Researchers conducted an extensive analysis, revealing that high temperatures and humidity can lead to a staggering 1% decline in annual milk production. The findings indicate that small farms face more dire consequences compared to their larger c…