Dozens of cows lie on the ground in the scorching sun, most upside down and face up. They do not sleep or rest. They died. He died from the heat. This is what is seen in fields in the US state of Kansas, where extreme temperatures exceed 40ºC due to the extraordinary heat waves in the country. These climatic periods, drought and humidity they took the lives of thousands of cattle in dozens of countries recently. He has been warned of impending dangers in Spain.

A mountain of cattle carcasses. Leading feed companies in the US sent thousands of carcasses to a Kansas landfill where they had to be crushed by machinery and mixed with garbage. It’s not a common method, but so many cows have died from the heat that the facilities that normally turn these carcasses into pet food or manure have collapsed.

We’re talking about at least 2,000 dead animals in a weekend, according to an exclusive report to Reuters. Research from the University of Iowa School of Veterinary Medicine shows that these animals tend to withstand high temperatures during the day when there is no humidity, and they tend to dissipate excess heat at night. The cattle are unable to release it, as the extreme heat now reigns day and night. And the hot, humid air gave the animals the feeling that they were suffocating.

Thousands of cattle died suddenly in Kansas last weekend. The reason given – high temperatures. pic.twitter.com/Gd0I5k5eRP

– James Melville (@JamesMelville) 15 June 2022

They cannot be used or buried. Cows that die from heat stress are not converted to meat for human consumption, but typically into animal feed, manure, and other products. It also poses a risk to bury animals in unlined pits, as waste can seep into groundwater. Although authorities have given companies permission to dump them in landfills, they now have a major odor problem.

How does a heat wave affect animals?. It creates stress in animals that alters nutrition, fertility and well-being. As detailed Farm Animal Welfare Education Center In this report by La Vanguardia of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), “heat stress is one of the biggest challenges facing dairy cattle producers in Spain, as it reduces feed consumption and the quantity and quality of milk produced by cows, as well as having adverse effects on reproduction” .

Up to six liters less milk. The dairy sector, on the other hand, sees a significant decrease in production due to this heat. “The problem with cows is that with these heats, their production drops from five to six liters a day, because they use energy to breathe rather than produce,” reports agricultural union UGAM-COAG. The article in the ser chain.

thermal inflation. Rising temperatures in Europe have affected crop and livestock production and will undoubtedly have a domino effect on food prices. This is known as thermal inflation. Note that for grain products such as wheat, rice and maize, prices in commodity markets are predetermined based on estimates of harvest success. This will affect the harvest loss this year. And also beef.

According to Allianz, when these increases are reflected in the supermarket receipt, the average European consumer is expected to spend an extra €243 on the cart compared to 2021.

Solution? Genetically modify cattle. A research team from the University of Florida, USA, has already started developing a genetically modified cow that can adapt to global warming and withstand the hottest climates. The aim is to preserve the quality of their meat despite the high temperatures we will experience in the future. Since cattle in many parts of the world live in hot and humid environments, it is necessary to study the Brangus (Angus and Brahman mix), which is the type that can withstand the heat best.