Report Urges Dairy Industry to Increase Weather Resilience

The report, produced in collaboration with Kite Consulting, emphasizes the need to go beyond reducing carbon emissions and focus on addressing climate-related challenges at the farm level.

The report highlights key priority areas for the dairy industry, including:

• Managing Temperature Stress in Herds: Implementing measures to address the impact of temperature stress on dairy cattle.
• Monitoring Disease Threats: Vigilance in monitoring and managing diseases that may pose a threat to dairy production.
• Adapting to Variable Growing and Grazing Conditions: Developing strategies to cope with changing conditions for crop cultivation and grazing.
• Coping with Logistical Challenges: Preparing for and addressing logistical challenges that may arise due to adverse weather conditions.
• The UK Climate-related Financial Disclosure legislation (TCFD), implemented in January 2021, requires large businesses to report on climate change-related risks affecting the value of the company and its assets. Asda's report emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing weather-related risks in the dairy supply chain to ensure the resilience of food production.

Chris Brown, Senior Director of Farming at Asda, emphasizes that assessing the resilience of milk pools and operations in the face of climate change is crucial for both dairy producers and processors. The report aims to broaden the climate conversation in agriculture to include a comprehensive understanding of risks and impacts on food production.

The dairy industry is urged to take proactive measures to navigate the challenges posed by climate change and contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.