Summer Drought May Be Preview Of Extreme Weather Cycles

Aug 25, 2022

Drought conditions in parts of Massachusetts and other Northeast states are likely to be repeated in future years as climate change hastens extreme weather cycles, in which dry periods become drier and wet periods wetter, according to experts.

“We already know that New England has seen the greatest increase in heavy downpours, so we expect that climate change is driving an intensification of water cycles—both more intense floods and intense droughts,” said Aaron Bernstein, interim director of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE), in an August 18, 2022 CNN article.

Bernstein also noted in an August 18, 2022 Boston Globe article that drought can take a toll on health. For instance, as water levels drop, pollutants and pathogens in groundwater can become more concentrated and contaminate private wells, which many people in New England rely on. Farmers may also experience high levels of stress from worrying about their crops and livestock, he said.

Source : harvard.edu

Video: Season 6, Episode 10: Defining Resiliency and the Research Driving Swine Health Forward

Genetic research and new technologies continue to influence the future of swine health and production efficiency. In this episode, we explore how research and technology are being used to support stronger, more resilient pigs, while also improving overall production outcomes. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, to discuss both routine and emerging strategies for improving piglet, pig, and sow livability. She outlines two primary approaches to enhancing resiliency: gene editing and traditional selective breeding. Continuing the resiliency conversation, we also hear from Dr. Lucina Galina, director of technical research projects at the Pig Improvement Company. She shares insights into ongoing gene-editing work focused on PRRS, detailing the pathway to success, regulatory and practical considerations, and the questions that still remain as the technology evolves. Together, these conversations provide a closer look at how research, genetics and innovation are shaping the future of swine health and livability.