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Forest fires along the west coast affect only the quality of the air, but they also affect the quality of the grass and even be the cause of a major decline in the production ofcow milk. Without as much milk available, residents living in the west may be at risk of a shortage of butter in the near future.

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Apart from the fact that forest fires have been displacedthousands of Americans Most of the Oregon and California between 2020 and 2021, exposure to smoke can have a negative impact on human health. According toUnited States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the greatest threat of smoke comes from microscopic particles such as fine particles, or PM 2.5, as they penetrate deeply in your lungs and cause a lot of problems. Experts even claim that particle pollution is linked to premature death.

However, very little research has been carried out on the impact of forest fires on livestock health. While forest fires are becoming more and more frequent, the new normal, the more this question is more urgent.View recent data That two dairy farms of Idaho and the state of Washington experienced a significant decrease in dairy production last year after a major smoke event.

Like Pedram Rezamand, teacher who studies animal and veterinary sciences at the University of IdahoAtlanticDairy cows mainly invade outside, which means that they are exposed to a poor air quality more than humans, who often have the luxury to go inside and breathe from the Filtered air. It raises the question of whether such exposure to smoke has an impact on the health of cattle and their ability to produce milk. Amy Skibiel, who studies the physiology of lactations at the University of Idaho, leads a team of researchers on an investigation project on exposure to smoke and livestock health.

They collected five years of data on cow disease and the deaths of the two Idaho and Washington farms. Then they took into account other key measures, such as milk production statistics over a period of three months (which included a major week-old smoke event) of 25 cows in one of the farms.

So far, research has shown that there was a higher incidence of a PIS infection under the name of Mammitis as well as mortality in calves when PM 2.5 levels of forest fire smoke have been raised in the air. In addition to smoke, warmer temperatures can also be a cause of reduced milk production.

In case the price of milk and other dairy products is mostly near you, checkAlternatives to milk 101: Your guide of each milk substitute without dairy products.