Heat Stress: A Global Concern

Abstract

The agriculture industry provides consumers with food (meat, milk, eggs, and grains)
and contributes significantly to the global economy. Due to reliance on specific climate conditions,
heat stress (caused by a combination of environmental factors such as: temperature,
relative humidity, solar radiation, air movement, and precipitation) can have a very detrimental
effect on this industry for both producers and consumers alike. With heat wave frequency and
intensity projected to rise during the next century, climate change could make it more difficult
to grow crops, raise animals, and harvest fish in the same manner and locations as used in the
past.1 Effects of heat stress can clearly be seen in poultry and livestock, and because animal
agriculture is facing substantial challenges, including a steep projected increase in demand and
the need to adapt to changing environmental conditions, these issues must be addressed. The
United Nations FAO predicted an increase in world population to 9-10 billion, and estimated
that by 2050 there will be a 73% increase in meat and egg consumption and a 58% increase in
dairy consumption over 2011 levels.