Invited review: The impact of wildfires, air pollution, and air quality on the health and production of dairy cattle

The multitude of environmental factors that affect health and production of dairy cows have been documented extensively in the literature. However, the influence of wildfire smoke on dairy production has only been investigated in recent years. Wildfires are becoming a greater source of air pollution across the United States, leading to public health concerns. Given the prevalence of dairy operations residing in fire-prone regions, wildfires may have an under-recognized role in suboptimal dairy production. Recently, investigators have found that air pollution from wildfires and non-wildfire sources induces health issues and reduces milk production in dairy cows and meat quality in beef cattle. These outcomes may emanate from stress and immune and metabolic perturbations. This review highlights the literature that has established the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of air pollutants, particularly those from wildfires, on the dairy industry. Evidence suggests that air quality is an important factor affecting production and health metrics in dairy cows and calves, and should be considered to enhance the health, performance, and welfare of dairy cattle.