Changes to Sheep Grazing Systems in Response to Climate Change

Simulation models were used to predict changes in pasture growth and sheep farming systems as a result of changes in climate due to global warming. The results of long•lerm mean climate and 10 years' individual climate simulations show Iha! increases in stocking rate of up to 40% may be possible with climate change. Benefits of climate change included increased lamb carcass weight and pasture cover. Climate change also resulted in the feasibility of autumn lambing systems in an environment in which these systems are currently difficult lo maintain. A change from 100% spring lambing to 40% of the flock lambing in the autumn resulted in even larger increases in lamb carcass weight and the lamb kill was spread over n greater part of the year, Both of these may be of benefit lo the meat industry. However, there appeared 10 be lillle difference in the profitability of spring or autumn lambing systems as the benefits were balanced by lower stocking rate and the costs of inducing ewes to cycle.