Burlew, S., M. Thelen, W. Powers, D. Schmidt, and M. Klotz. 2016. Animal agriculture and climate change in Michigan. Climate Change and Agriculture Fact Sheet Series, MSU Extension Bulletin E3303, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Agricultural production has always been affected by weather variability, and Michigan farmers have adopted production practices appropriate to their climate. However, the weather that shapes agricultural production is changing along with climatic conditions. Examples of this in the Midwest include increases in average day- and nighttime temperatures, changes in the timing and intensity of rainfall, an increase in the number of flooding events, and warmer and more humid conditions(1). These trends are expected to continue and even accelerate(2) (see MSU Extension bulletins E3150 and E3151 for more on climate change). Increased incidents of weather extremes will have wide-ranging impacts on animal agriculture in the Midwest, and farmers will need to adapt to these impacts to remain profitable. In addition, animal
agriculture has an important role to play in lessening the severity of, or mitigating, future climate changes.

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