Climate Change and Dairy in New York and Wisconsin: Risk Perceptions, Vulnerability, and Adaptation among Farmers and Advisors

David Lane, Evan Murdock, Ken Genskow, Carolyn Rumery Betz and Allison Chatrchyan
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David Lane: Northeastern IPM Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Evan Murdock: Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Ken Genskow: Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Carolyn Rumery Betz: Department of Soil Science, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Allison Chatrchyan: Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 13, 1-24

Abstract: Climate change impacts on agriculture have been intensifying in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Few empirical studies have considered how dairy farmers and/or their advisors are interpreting and responding to climate impacts, risks, and opportunities in these regions. This study investigates dairy farmer and advisor views and decisions related to climate change using data from seven farmer and advisor focus groups conducted in New York and Wisconsin. The study examined how farmers and advisors perceived climate impacts on dairy farms, the practices they are adopting, and how perceived risks and vulnerability affect farmers’ decision making related to adaptation strategies. Although dairy farmers articulated concern regarding climate impacts, other business pressures, such as profitability, market conditions, government regulations, and labor availability were often more critical issues that affected their decision making. Personal experience with extreme weather and seasonal changes affected decision making. The findings from this study provide improved understanding of farmers’ needs and priorities, which can help guide land-grant researchers, Extension, and policymakers in their efforts to develop and coordinate a comprehensive strategy to address climate change impacts on dairy in the Northeast and the Midwest US.

Keywords: climate change; resiliency; impacts; dairy; farmers; advisors; perceptions; vulnerability; adaptation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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