An Analysis of Livestock Choice: Adapting to Climate Change in Latin American Farms

Abstract

"This paper explores how Latin American livestock farmers adapt to climate by switching species. We develop a multinomial choice model of farmers choice of livestock species. Estimating the models across over 1200 livestock farmers in seven countries, we find that both temperature and precipitation affects the species Latin American farmers choose. We then use this model to predict how future climate scenarios would affect species choice. Global warming will cause farmers to switch to beef cattle at the expense of dairy cattle."