Record Australian Heat Killing Cattle

[hatrack]

RECORD temperatures are placing a severe strain on the nation's cattle industry, slashing prices in three states as the intense heat kills cattle and calves in western Queensland.

The price slump and reports of livestock deaths came after the Bureau of Meteorology reported last week that last year was the nation's hottest on record, prompting speculation that global warming was becoming a reality.

EDIT

Mr Edwards, 66, who grew up on his property 60km south of Quilpie, said the shire was suffering the longest heatwave he had experienced, with temperatures in the past five weeks often reaching more than 40C. The intense heat was compounding the effects of the drought that had gripped much of the shire for the past five years, he said.

EDIT

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17787557%255E30417,00.html

[Boomer]

1. Now we know why....

Now we know why none of Australia's indigenous species resembles a cow.

[Nihil]

2. True but ...

... if you've ever tried milking a kangaroo you'll know why they imported cows!

:-)

[NNadir]

3. In the future, none of them may resemble a Kangaroo either.

Australia's climate, like that of everyone else's, is now changing.

The Kangaroo evolved in a different climate than the one that will exist in the future. I, fortunately, will not live long enough, I think, to see what selection pressure brings.