New Delhi, July 7 (Reporter) Climate change threats on the crop products have been often talked about, but a new study has highlighted an alarming consequence of global warming on milk production in the dairy sector, with yields expected to decline by up to 10% in the coming decades. For countries like India, the world’s largest producer of milk, the implications could be severe, affecting both livelihoods and food security. Dairy cows, when exposed to elevated temperatures, undergo physiological stress, leading to a reduction in milk output and overall health. While cooling technologies such as fans and misting systems can alleviate some of the heat’s impact, these measures have been found to offset only about half of the expected loss in milk yield, said the study published in the journal Science Advances. The research, which primarily focused on Israel’s advanced dairy farms, offers a critical glimpse into the potential challenges that could unfold across the globe. The study’s authors, including researchers from the University of Tel Aviv and the University of Chicago, found that when the “wet-bulb” temperature—a combined measure of air temperature and humidity—exceeds 26°C, milk production drops sharply. On such days, the decline can reach up to 10 percent per cow, with the effects lasting for more than ten days. “Climate change will have wide-ranging impacts on what we eat and drink, including our daily glass of milk,” said Eyal Frank, one of the study’s co-authors and a researcher at the Harris School of Public Policy. “Our study found that even with advanced cooling technologies, such as ventilation and spraying systems, the losses in milk production are not fully mitigated.” The study found that without cooling measures, countries like India, Pakistan, and Brazil could face daily milk output declines of up to 4 percent per cow. Even with the installation of cooling technologies, such as fans and misting systems, the reductions would only be partially offset—by approximately 40 to 50 percent, depending on the severity of the heat. While Israeli farms—known for their technological advancements—have adopted such cooling technologies, the study suggests that these measures are far more effective in cooler, less humid climates. In contrast, India’s small and medium-scale dairy farms, which are not as technologically equipped, could experience far greater economic hardship. To mitigate these risks, the authors have called for measures aimed to reduce additional stressors on cows, such as over-crowding and separation from their calves, which make them more susceptible to heat stress. Additionally, policymakers are urged to invest in research to improve cooling technologies and make them more accessible to farmers in heat-prone regions, said the study...////...