There is no doubt that animals and animal industries are integral to the socio-economic wellbeing of rural and urban Australia. Climate change brings with it a variety of environmental stressors which will have range of negative impacts on animal industries, threatening food safety and security, animal and human health, and local and national economies.
Adaptation of production animals to climate change is the key to minimising impacts. Adaptation relies on better awareness of the effects of climate change on animal productivity and health, and identification of the vulnerabilities and opportunities that climate change presents to animal industries. This knowledge can inspire proactive farm, industry and social changes that will in turn lead to more sustainable, healthy and productive animal industries.
The animal health, production and biosecurity theme aims to build awareness of the climate change threats to animal farming industries and communities. The theme aims to encourage multidisciplinary climate change research in animal sciences that will provide holistic solutions to key climate change issues including:
- land, feed and water availability and usage
- genetics and breeding
- infectious disease control
Ultimately participants in this theme, both academic and non-academic, will provide inspiration and instruction to foster sustainable animal farming in a changing climate.
The theme plans to produce informative climate change adaptation fact sheets for key industries, develop online discussion forums and cutting edge research updates, and visit farming communities over the next two years.
We encourage researchers, farmers, local and national government representatives, and rural and urban communities involved with the animal industries to get involved with this PIARN theme as active members. Member input is valued and encouraged as we work to adapt our animal industries to climate change.