Current status of livestock production in the Nordic countries and future challenges with a changing climate and human population growth

Abstract

Nordic meat production increased during the last decades, produced from fewer and larger farms. Per capita meat consumption increased mainly due to increased poultry consumption. The degree of self-sufficiency not accounting for use of imported feeds was high for most livestock products but showed a decreasing trend. Animal yields and use of concentrates (with a higher energy and protein content) increased, implying increased feed ingredients import. Agriculture is a source of greenhouse gases (GHG). Country-specific emissions ranged from 8% to 15% of total emissions. Future Nordic livestock production needs to focus on implementing climate smart agriculture to accommodate human population growth and climate change. This includes increased degree of self-sufficiency based on domestic feed resources and increased animal productivity while reducing the environmental impact by lowering GHG emissions. However, more knowledge on how to adapt to the changing conditions and the different trade-offs that are involved is highly needed.

Keywords:

• Climate change
• climate-smart agriculture
• degree of self-sufficiency
• greenhouse gases
• human population growth
• Nordic livestock production

Acknowledgements

This study was a part of the project “Nordic Research Network on Animal Genetic Resources in the Adaption to Climate Change” (AnGR-NordicNET) funded by The Nordic Council of Ministers and NordForsk in the programme “Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation in Nordic Primary Industries”.