Predicting the risks from climate change to forage and crop production for animal feed

Abstract

• Climate change is expected to bring warmer temperatures, changes to rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather. • Projections of climate impacts on feed crops show that there will likely be opportunities for increased productivity as well as considerable threats to crop productivity in different parts of the world over the next 20 to 50 years. • On balance, we anticipate substantial risks to the volume, volatility, and quality of animal feed supply chains from climate change. • Adaptation strategies and investment informed by high quality research at the interface of crop and animal science will be needed, both to respond to climate change and to meet the increasing demand for animal products expected over the coming decades.