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Research in B.C.'s Cariboo aims to develop climate change ready cattle

Researchers from Thompson Rivers University and a Brazilian university have partnered to develop cattle that tolerate both hot and cold climates in B.C.'s Cariboo region and Brazil.
This collaboration arose after a 2021 B.C. heat dome caused 619 human and over 650,000 livestock deaths, highlighting climate change impacts on cattle health and production.
The research involves cross-breeding cold-tolerant Scottish breeds with heat-tolerant Caribbean Senepol cattle, using technology to measure animal temperature responses and traits in Horsefly's extreme temperature ranges.
Dr. John Church said the beef industry demands consistency and noted gene editing could speed up the development of uniform, climate-resilient cattle, though gene-edited animals cannot yet enter Canada's food system.
The project aims to improve cattle resilience to increasing heat events, with Brazilian researchers applying these methods locally, suggesting potential mitigation for climate-related livestock losses.

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