Help with my research for a project please?

[lucyy]

Hi, I’m Lucy, I’m 17 and I’m wanting to be a large animal vet. I’m doing A-levels at the minute and for my epq (an essay on a topic you like) I’m studying how climate change is affecting animal management and the effects of that which I’m focusing on livestock farming. I am looking at things such as: hotter summer= more risk of heat stroke, causes less growth while the animal is ill so lesser yields in meat/milk etc; less forage produced due to shorter time of optimum growth conditions, can’t produce food needed, and so on. Anyway, I was wondering if you’d be able to help me with my research by giving me a few points on how it has affected livestock farming for you. This can be as little or as much as you wish, I will be grateful for anything. Please consider that any comments may be used in my project, which I will make generic references and will not include any personal info, so I may say ‘a dairy farmer from Devon says...’ if you say this in your response; if you are not happy with me doing this then please don’t send me anything! (The project is independent research, so it won’t be published or anything, just read by examiners). I apologise for having to reach to you via this, but I am lacking contacts and It’s currently hard to go out to gather information. Sorry if this isn’t relevant to you and thank you so much for reading! Thanks very much, Lucy!

 

[onesiedale]

wrong time of year for us to be worrying about heat stress. However, type 'Heat stress' or some other key words in the TFF search function and you'll probably find all the answers you are looking for.

 

[delilah]

If (if mind) the experts are correct, then climate change will bring warmer, wetter, windier winters. That could have several impacts; worse feet, fluke more prevalent, extended season for gastrointestinal worms. Also benefits, extended grass growing season being the most obvious.

 

[topground]

‘Climate change’ or the weather as some of us farmers call it, means reacting to whatever challenges arise. Over the time I have been on this farm in North Somerset I have experienced the winter of 1962/63 when all the predictions by the ‘experts’ were that the next ice age was coming, the drought of the summers of 1976 and 77 and the deluge summer of 2012 when no hay was made until September as examples of extremes that have not dictated policy changes. Those episodes meant adapting in the short term rather than major changes in farming policy. Economics have forced changes rather than weather. We used to have 3000 laying hens on slats and deep litter before the market was dominated by battery cages, pigs and a milking herd of 30 Jerseys. Now it is spring calving sucklers and an alternative income source. Summer weather over the last few years has meant hay has been easier to make and thus cheaper. Cattle only housed when extremely wet and those cattle have been home bred to suit the land and a simple system with low inputs.

 

[kfpben]

I notice that the impacts of climate change on livestock farming that you list are all negative.

There are many positives of warming temperatures too in a UK context.
Longer grass growing season, better fodder crops over winter, animals using less energy to keep warm, fewer hypothermic lambs at lambing etc.
A cooling climate would be a lot worse.

 

[lucyy]

wrong time of year for us to be worrying about heat stress. However, type 'Heat stress' or some other key words in the TFF search function and you'll probably find all the answers you are looking for.

Thank you very much that is helpful

 

[lucyy]

If (if mind) the experts are correct, then climate change will bring warmer, wetter, windier winters. That could have several impacts; worse feet, fluke more prevalent, extended season for gastrointestinal worms. Also benefits, extended grass growing season being the most obvious.

Thank you very much this is helpful

 

[lucyy]

‘Climate change’ or the weather as some of us farmers call it, means reacting to whatever challenges arise. Over the time I have been on this farm in North Somerset I have experienced the winter of 1962/63 when all the predictions by the ‘experts’ were that the next ice age was coming, the drought of the summers of 1976 and 77 and the deluge summer of 2012 when no hay was made until September as examples of extremes that have not dictated policy changes. Those episodes meant adapting in the short term rather than major changes in farming policy. Economics have forced changes rather than weather. We used to have 3000 laying hens on slats and deep litter before the market was dominated by battery cages, pigs and a milking herd of 30 Jerseys. Now it is spring calving sucklers and an alternative income source. Summer weather over the last few years has meant hay has been easier to make and thus cheaper. Cattle only housed when extremely wet and those cattle have been home bred to suit the land and a simple system with low inputs.

Thank you so much you have covered a few points here which I haven’t thought of that are insightful and worth bearing in mind. Thanks very much!

 

[lucyy]

I notice that the impacts of climate change on livestock farming that you list are all negative.

There are many positives of warming temperatures too in a UK context.
Longer grass growing season, better fodder crops over winter, animals using less energy to keep warm, fewer hypothermic lambs at lambing etc.
A cooling climate would be a lot worse.

Thank you, I hadn’t really considered the advantages much, but that is a very useful point; the inverse would be much worse, thank you

 

[Ffermer Bach]

it is hard to differentiate between climate change and the weather on an individual farm (and an individual memory!) I don't think being warmer would be a problem here, rather periods of lack of rain in the summer (so the grass stops growing) and too much rain (again in the summer so it's hard to take silage or more importantly get a contractor in as they are all so busy on dry periods). I think the biggest problem is more the increased unreliability of the weather having an impact on farming. The one thing I have noticed is the increase in periods of extremely heavy rain which causes problems with run off (and I am guessing flash flooding events too).

 

[Tim W]

Warmer weather has already changed the way in which sheep stomach worms work.Nemotadirus worms have evolved from being a spring problem to hatching throughout the year. I can see this from data kept over the last 18 years where I farm. This means we have to alter our approach to parasite management. ...Just 1 small example...

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Climate and weather are not the same thing. Climate is general and long term, weather is immediate.

We are seeing greater variability in the weather as a result of the changing climate and around d here this seems to be the biggest challenge so far. The spring surge in grass growth is taught in colleges and is a long term "given" but it completely failed to happen here last year. That left us hugely challenged for keeping the cattle adequately fed. If we'd been stocked at "normal" rates we'd have had to sell cattle.

Good luck with your career. A friend's daughter graduated from RVC last summer.

 

[lucyy]

it is hard to differentiate between climate change and the weather on an individual farm (and an individual memory!) I don't think being warmer would be a problem here, rather periods of lack of rain in the summer (so the grass stops growing) and too much rain (again in the summer so it's hard to take silage or more importantly get a contractor in as they are all so busy on dry periods). I think the biggest problem is more the increased unreliability of the weather having an impact on farming. The one thing I have noticed is the increase in periods of extremely heavy rain which causes problems with run off (and I am guessing flash flooding events too).

Thank you very much, this is helpful

 

[lucyy]

Warmer weather has already changed the way in which sheep stomach worms work.Nemotadirus worms have evolved from being a spring problem to hatching throughout the year. I can see this from data kept over the last 18 years where I farm. This means we have to alter our approach to parasite management. ...Just 1 small example...

Thank you, this is an insightful point, just so many things that i wouldnt have thought of

 

[lucyy]

Climate and weather are not the same thing. Climate is general and long term, weather is immediate.

We are seeing greater variability in the weather as a result of the changing climate and around d here this seems to be the biggest challenge so far. The spring surge in grass growth is taught in colleges and is a long term "given" but it completely failed to happen here last year. That left us hugely challenged for keeping the cattle adequately fed. If we'd been stocked at "normal" rates we'd have had to sell cattle.

Good luck with your career. A friend's daughter graduated from RVC last summer.

Thank you for your reply, this is the sort of thing i had imagined, useful to have proof as such. Unexpected sudden weather changes is clearly one of the biggest negative impacts. Thank you very much

 

[JD-Kid]

I know a bit far away but here in NZ have been noticing more wild swings in weather longer dry times over summer and also winters can go eather way
the heat and dry in summer quite a impact on fodder crops. and even growth rates on stock
with less grass growth lower grazing so picking up more soil in feed and also higher levels of worms due to grazing harder
these factors may lead to changes in lambing dates and types of grasses grown on dry land farms
long term if this efect become the norm stocking rates would need to be lowered. with only higher output sheep kept to lower stocking rates over winters
management may also change to a higher % of lambs sold as stores and moved to summer safe areas.
water will become a big factor over dryer times

 

[deleted user 837354]

If you intend to apply to Vet school you will need a good slew of work experience in a range of places. Start arranging this now if you have not already. Do some lambing/caving this Easter on a farm if possible. Arrange similar throughout the summer: you could earn good money milking cows this summer if you found the right place and were prepared to graft. Then find a dog groomer or kennels to do a few weekends at. Then find time in a small animal vet practice. Believe me, getting into these alone can be a pain because every man and his dog will be trying to get the same once lockdown has lifted.

Your EPQ, though relevant, may not be asked about in an interview. Bear in mind some vet schools now insist that applicants sit the UCAT exam which I can tell you from experience is a pain in the chuff as well. Some vet schools also do not even interview applicants any longer, so it must come down to your exam grades and personal statement. Make sure these are beyond good. There will be LOADS of journal articles regarding the effect of climate change on livestock production worldwide, I would put money on it. a hotter drier climate is less suited to forage production. Look for research from other parts of the world. Also, in very hot weather, cattle do not cycle and can't breed. Look for research from America and the middle east on this.

Under no circumstances tell admissions staff you are only interested in being a large animal vet. Say you have an interest in large animals because: blah blah blah. You will learn a great deal about livestock from working on a farm and more importantly, you will be allowed to get hands on an actually do something on a farm. In the small animal world you will stand in a room and only watch. In large animal work you will be able to get your hand inside a cow/sheep and do routine work, vaccinations, injections, basic husbandry etc etc etc. You would do well to get hold of old copies of the vet record and stay abreast of the latest issues in the vet/farming worlds. Infectious diseases are a hot topic, as is the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

Get the above under your belt and you will stand out and be given an offer. Best of luck. You will have a wild time I am sure.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Down in the South east we have always had extremes of weather being close to the Continent and having the effect of the Channel.

Climate has changed a great deal over the centuries and while man may have played a small part there are many other issues, after all the Romans grew Vines in the North of England.
On the issue of livestock being affected, we have an old saying that a lamb needs roasting twice. They certainly do far better in hot dry summers as the grass has high dry matter and worm burdens are exceptionally low. I would always rather have a dry cold time than a warm wet one.

Cattle also do much better in the heat. However water does become a problem and we seem to have distinct periods of wet and dry. Normally the average rainfall here is around 26" but the last two years has been over 40". The trouble is we have had two years of summer droughts, last year it started from the 1st week of March and lasted until September.
It does cause significant problems with growing fodder crops and also hay and silage.

We were forced to sell store lambs early, fortunately the price was not bad. Cattle that didn't finish were also a great store trade. This may not be the case in the future so we may have to adapt to these long dry periods.

 

[primmiemoo]

Timings of disease challenges appear to be shifting (well, since I was your age, @lucyy ).
Last year, for instance, it became very clear that ewe lambs to be retained for the breeding flock that would usually be brought into the system of vaccination against clostridials around about the beginning of autumn, would have benefitted from primary jab from the start of summer, and booster during late summer.

Expected times for rise of nematode worms in lambs have changed as has been mentioned upthread.

Pluses are longer season of grass and clover growth. Clover helps keep use of artificial inputs down. There's a hint of better weather conditions for saving grass and herbage for fodder, too. It can continue to be mild and it can possibly get wetter if there's a sort of known window of opportunity for a cut in late June!

Good luck with your studies .

 

[lucyy]

I know a bit far away but here in NZ have been noticing more wild swings in weather longer dry times over summer and also winters can go eather way
the heat and dry in summer quite a impact on fodder crops. and even growth rates on stock
with less grass growth lower grazing so picking up more soil in feed and also higher levels of worms due to grazing harder
these factors may lead to changes in lambing dates and types of grasses grown on dry land farms
long term if this efect become the norm stocking rates would need to be lowered. with only higher output sheep kept to lower stocking rates over winters
management may also change to a higher % of lambs sold as stores and moved to summer safe areas.
water will become a big factor over dryer times

I know a bit far away but here in NZ have been noticing more wild swings in weather longer dry times over summer and also winters can go eather way
the heat and dry in summer quite a impact on fodder crops. and even growth rates on stock
with less grass growth lower grazing so picking up more soil in feed and also higher levels of worms due to grazing harder
these factors may lead to changes in lambing dates and types of grasses grown on dry land farms
long term if this efect become the norm stocking rates would need to be lowered. with only higher output sheep kept to lower stocking rates over winters
management may also change to a higher % of lambs sold as stores and moved to summer safe areas.
water will become a big factor over dryer times

Thank you for your response, it is great to hear from NZ as I can compare. You have mentioned numerous things here which are all very useful to me so thank you for that, much appreciated