Warmer Winters Encouraging Early Breeding In UK Cattle - W. Resulting Lower Calf Survival Rates

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Warmer springs are encouraging cows to breed earlier in the year so their calves are born in the middle of winter, when they have less chance of survival. The changes have been observed in a herd of cattle in Chillingham, Northumberland, which were first studied by Charles Darwin, the biologist.

Dr Sarah Burthe, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, studied the change in breeding patterns over the last 60 years. She said: "Winter-born calves don't do very well and are more likely to die before they reach the age of one. This suggests that the cattle are responding to climate change but this is having a negative impact on them."

There have already been extensive studies on the effect global warming is having on plants, with flowers emerging up to 11 days earlier in the spring.

A study of soay sheep in Scotland found the animals are “shrinking” because smaller animals are able to survive in a warmer climate.

EDIT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8572834/Cows-are-having-fewer-calves-because-of-climate-change.html