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Abstract
This study used a partial equilibrium model focusing on U.S. agriculture to
investigate the climate change implications for U.S. livestock production. Climate
change impacts on crop productivity, grazing land productivity, and livestock
animals’ biophysical growth were factored into the model to examine the market
equilibrium changes under alternative climate change scenarios. Results suggest that
the U.S. livestock sector would be negatively influenced by climate change, with meat
and milk prices increasing and exports decreasing. Livestock producers would expand
the use of grazing and raise more animals to meet market demand given reduced
productivity per head. Profit margins for meat and milk production would however
decline due to increases in input prices than more than outweigh the gains from
higher output prices.