Pig cooling pads and weather forecasts for cows? Farmers tap tech as world grows hotter
MELINA WALLING
Associated Press
Updated
First came the hottest June in recorded history. Now, it's the hottest-ever July. Scientists suspect the last several years have been warmer than any point in more than 125,000 years. Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts report on Bloomberg Television.
CHICAGO — More than a third of the heat-trapping gases cooking the planet come from growing and raising food, but millions of cattle, pigs and other animals get to stay cool in the United States and other parts of the developed world.
Dairy farmer Megan McAllister works July 24 in the milking parlor on her farm in New Vienna, Iowa. The McAllister family installed new fans above the beds where their cows lie. More intense summer heat resulting from emissions-driven climate change means animal heat stress that can result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for farmers and ranchers if not properly managed.
Dairy farmer Megan McAllister feeds a calf July 24 on her farm in New Vienna, Iowa. “We’re going to do what’s best by our cows no matter what is or isn’t going on with climate change,” McAllister said.
Dairy farmer Megan McAllister works July 24 in the milking parlor on her farm in New Vienna, Iowa. The McAllister family installed new fans above the beds where their cows lie. More intense summer heat resulting from emissions-driven climate change means animal heat stress that can result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for farmers and ranchers if not properly managed.
Dairy farmer Megan McAllister feeds a calf July 24 on her farm in New Vienna, Iowa. “We’re going to do what’s best by our cows no matter what is or isn’t going on with climate change,” McAllister said.
