Heatwaves Slash Milk Yields Across Europe

Europe’s dairy industry is under severe stress due to unprecedented heatwaves, particularly in Italy, France, and Spain. In Italy’s Lombardy region—Europe’s dairy hub—milk production has fallen by 10–15%, equating to 1.8 million litres lost per day. In Molise, the drop is sharper, reaching 30% on some farms. Drought and rising temperatures have affected feed and water access, animal health, and productivity. Farmers are employing fans, misting systems, and mineral supplements to mitigate losses, but these are limited stopgaps. Heat stress has reduced appetite and disrupted fertility cycles in cattle, threatening long-term productivity. The crisis has exposed the dairy sector’s vulnerability to climate volatility and underscores an urgent need for resilience measures such as climate-smart infrastructure, breed selection, and improved forage systems.

Industry Insight:

The European dairy crisis signals global ripple effects on milk supply, pricing, and animal welfare. Indian cooperatives and private players must accelerate climate adaptation strategies to future-proof production systems.

Source : Dairynews7x7 July 5th 2025. Read full article here