As Australian summers get hotter and longer with more extreme weather events, what impact will this have on our livestock? Why is heat stress becoming more of an issue for Australian farmers? What strategies exist and are emerging to deal with the rising temperatures?

Farmers for Climate Action, together with Vets for Climate Action, explore the physiological and animal welfare issues associated with a changing climate. This webinar will focus largely on the impacts of temperature extremes on animals, as well as how to mitigate these impacts.

Speakers include Dr Kristy DiGiacomo, University of Melbourne, and Professor Peter Windsor, University of Sydney. The webinar will be hosted by FCA’s very own Ellen Litchfield, a trained vet and farmer based near Lake Eyre.

This webinar was recorded on 09 December 2021.

Peter's presentation slides

Speakers

Dr Kristy DiGiacomo

Dr Kristy DiGiacomo graduated with a Bachelor of Animal Science and Management (honours) from The University of Melbourne and then went on to obtain her PhD, also from The University of Melbourne, examining the physiological and metabolic responses to heat and dietary betaine in ruminants under the guidance of Prof Frank Dunshea and Prof Brian Leury. Kristy is currently a senior lecturer in production animal nutrition and physiology at The University of Melbourne and is a Veski sustainable agriculture fellow. Dr DiGiacomo’s current research involves a variety of production animal species including sheep, dairy cattle, dairy goats and pigs. Her research focuses on livestock nutrition, physiology and adaptation to the external environment. As a veski sustainable research fellow, Kristy is researching the sustainable production of animal feed via the bioconversion of food and feed wastes into edible insects. Kristy is a passionate advocate for female leadership in STEMM and is a member of the homeward bound (HB5) women in STEMM leadership program.

Professor Peter Windsor

Peter Windsor is Professor Emeritus and formerly Professor of Livestock Health and Production in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney (USYD). He has specialist veterinarian in Pathobiology, is a Diplomate of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management, and manages applied research projects contributing over 250 peer-reviewed journal and book publications on improving global food and fibre security from enhanced livestock production. health, welfare and sustainability change management. In 2011, Peter was awarded the Kestevan Medal by the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and Australian Veterinary Association for his contributions to international veterinary science.

Watch the recording

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