‘Can They Take the Heat?’—The Egyptian Climate and Its Effects on Livestock

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Climate change is receiving more consideration worldwide, and the impact on animal production is particularly relevant due to increasing demand and limitations to production. The location of Egypt means that it has special climatic considerations. In summer, temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C, particularly in lower Egypt, and extreme climatic conditions are resulting from the warming of the planet. Regional temperature and humidity data were used to determine that Egyptian livestock experience heat stress for extended periods in summer. When predicted temperature/humidity increases as a result of climate change are added, the proportion of time that they are exposed to heat stress becomes more severe. It was concluded that the effects of heat stress are becoming critical for livestock production systems, especially during summer. Livestock responds to these changes by using different mechanisms to survive, but production efficiency is severely compromised by heat stress. Injury and death may even ensue if mitigation measures are not taken quickly. Finally, alternative solutions were suggested to help to achieve food security in Egypt. ABSTRACT: Egypt already has conditions in summer that cause heat stress for livestock, and predicted climate changes suggest that these will be exacerbated over the course of this century. As well, extreme climatic events make the mitigation of climate change difficult but important to understand. Apart from neonates, farm animals have upper critical temperatures in the region of 25–30 °C, whereas temperatures in summer regularly exceed 40 °C for prolonged periods. The temperature and humidity data were collected half hourly to calculate Temperature Humidity Indices and demonstrate that Egyptian livestock at two centers of livestock production in the country would experience heat stress in summer for extended periods of each day. The impact of rising temperatures on livestock in Egypt was reviewed, where extensive resources to mitigate the impact are not often available. It was found that, although there are some prospects to mitigate some heat stress, by using agroforestry systems of production for example, these are unlikely to have a major impact, and reduced food security may ensue over the course of this century.