It’s going to be a double-whammy for American’s trying to cope with a reduction in meat production and an increase in food prices next year.
Because of the heat wave, drought and flooding in many areas, there has been a reduction in the production of corn, soybeans and wheat. This immediately translates to an increase in food prices, including the price of food we will need to feed our livestock. Add to that an increased difficulty our cattle will have reproducing due to heat, and we are looking at double-trouble.
During times of extreme heat, cattle can suffer from heat stress, due primarily to high humidity levels. While experiencing heat stress, bull’s sperm count decreases, and can take as long as 60 days to recover. So, a continuous heat wave of 2 months can actually prevent 4 full months of reproductivity. Include periods of time after July 1st when breeding is naturally avoided because of summer heat, and we can be looking at a 6-month or greater non-reproductive period. At the same time, cows can take up to 20 days to recover from heat stress, which makes it difficult to sustain pregnancy until birth. So between the heat wave and this expected infertility, we can expect to see a reduction in meat production as well as a huge increase in food costs.
During times of extreme heat, cattle can suffer from heat stress, due primarily to high humidity levels. While experiencing heat stress, bull’s sperm count decreases, and can take as long as 60 days to recover. So, a continuous heat wave of 2 months can actually prevent 4 full months of reproductivity. Include periods of time after July 1st when breeding is naturally avoided because of summer heat, and we can be looking at a 6-month or greater non-reproductive period. At the same time, cows can take up to 20 days to recover from heat stress, which makes it difficult to sustain pregnancy until birth. So between the heat wave and this expected infertility, we can expect to see a reduction in meat production as well as a huge increase in food costs.
Many of us will meet these difficulties by reducing the amount of meat we consume and increase “fillers” such as rice and corn. When trying to find ways to increase protein intake, remember than any combination of grain and bean produces perfect protein that can supplement your diet. At the same time, while growing grains in your backyard garden in the amounts necessary to feed yourself and your family is impractical, beans are prolific, nutritious and very easy to grow. Keep this in mind if you live in an area that supports fall gardens, and if not, plan on planting and growing dry beans next spring along with your tomatoes and carrots.
Now, heat waves are a trend we can expect to continue to see for many years to come. There has been a 0.5 degree F rise in average temperatures between 1980 and 2010 according to NOAA. So these changes aren’t going away anytime soon. We all need to learn to adapt now by adopting sustainable living techniques including providing food for ourselves grown in our own backyards and reducing the amount of meat we consume by choice now and not wait until it becomes a necessity. Think about it.
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