Adapting Your System In Response To Climate Change

Livestock Systems

Flooding can erode quality farmland, destroy hedges and fencing and can lead to prolonged field submersion, putting animals at risk and preventing grazing if occurring for a prolonged period. Additionally, waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall increases the risk of soil compaction and poaching from livestock and heavy machinery, taking the field out of commission until conditions ease.

Often these conditions will require animals to be kept in housing for longer periods of time, increasing feed costs. This is expected to become more common and can lead to a number of new logistical challenges such as ensuring you have enough feed stored and having a plan for additional waste storage and use.

Additionally, these conditions can increase the prevalence of pests and disease in waterlogged areas and livestock housing.

Arable Systems

Unstable banks and soil are at a high risk of being eroded by flood waters and heavy rainfall. Waterlogged soil and field submersion increase the risk of soil compaction and can result in compromised soil structure. This can lead to issues such as soil erosion, nutrient loss and diffuse pollution.

Prolonged field submersion or waterlogging can also create anaerobic conditions that can damage crop roots.

Adaptation Systems

Livestock Systems

High temperatures and increasing cases of droughts in areas of Scotland are having a dramatic effect on water storage and supply, as well as increasing the risk of livestock dehydration and heat stress. In some parts of the country, warmer summers are increasing growing seasons allowing farmers to make more use of grazed grass, saving money and reducing their environmental footprint at the same time.

Arable Systems

Increases in temperature and cases of drought can reduce water available for irrigation, increase the risk of water and heat stress within the crop as well as causing more wildfires.

In some parts of the country, warmer summers are increasing growing seasons, increasing productivity and crop yields.

Adaptation Systems

Arable Systems

High winds and heavy rainfall can damage crops, affecting growth, yields and increase the risk of pests and diseases. Areas of open or unstable soil can also be eroded by high winds and heavy rain, removing valuable top soil from the land and increasing diffuse pollution risk.

Livestock Systems

High winds and storminess are threatening the health and safety of livestock and increasing the amount of time they are housed throughout the year.  Additionally, the increase in intensity of these events is causing more damage to farm infrastructure and animal housing.

Adaptation Systems

Arable Systems

While projections are for winters to become milder and wetter, intensity of cold weather and snowfall events when they do occur is expected to be greater and sporadic.

Sudden drops in temperature may damage young crops or those suited for warmer conditions and repeat freezing of crops can cause significant damage to due to the expansion of plant cells during the freezing process. Sub-zero temperatures may also burst water and irrigation system pipes, and the wet and cold conditions associated with snowfall may reduce soil health though soil compaction.

Livestock Systems

More extreme conditions pose considerable risk to livestock health and welfare, inhibiting movement, increasing energy consumption, and increasing the length and associated costs of livestock housing periods.

Adaptation Systems