Malaysian livestock farmers are facing escalating operational costs and reduced production as prolonged hot weather and haze strain poultry, dairy, and livestock operations across the country. The convergence of elevated temperatures, poor air quality, water shortages, and rising feed expenses has squeezed profit margins for smallholders and commercial producers alike, according to industry representatives and agricultural data.
Impact on Poultry Production and Smallholder Vulnerability
Poultry breeders within the Malaysian Poultry Association report significant bird mortality during periods of high heat and smoke pollution. Zaiful Zakaria, head of the Malaysian Poultry Association, stated that small-scale farmers operating basic, open-sided sheds suffer the heaviest losses because their facilities lack the advanced climate-control systems utilized by large commercial enterprises. Operating a small farm in Selama, Perak, Zaiful installed ventilation fans and a water-misting system at a cost of approximately RM500 per shed to mitigate thermal stress.
Other producers have invested heavily in structural upgrades to safeguard their livestock. Mohd Hazarulhizam Mohd Shafie, a heritage chicken breeder in Alor Setar, Kedah, spent about RM50,000 renovating his poultry shelters with exhaust fans, solar panels, and automatic misting systems. Mohd Hazarulhizam noted that the severe weather conditions directly prompted the rebuild of his coops.
Commercial timelines have also shifted under the combined pressure of heat and haze. Jeffrey Ng, an adviser to the Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia, reported that broiler producers observed slower growth rates beginning approximately two months prior, with birds requiring an additional week to reach standard market weight. However, the federation has not logged an increase in overall poultry mortality directly tied to the haze season. Meanwhile, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh indicated that elevated temperatures increased mortality rates among laying hens, depressing egg supply and exerting upward pressure on retail egg prices amid steady consumer demand.
Dairy and Ruminant Challenges
Ruminant farmers report tangible declines in milk yields as cattle reduce daytime grazing due to extreme heat. Ari Ramash Supramaniam, a dairy and goat farmer, recorded a drop of four to six litres per day across five of his 23 cows, translating to an estimated daily earnings reduction of up to RM60. To offset the productivity loss, Ari increased his expenses by transporting harvested grass directly to the barn, providing clean water mixed with molasses and ice, and supplementing feed rations with extra concentrates and minerals. His daily routine now incorporates approximately 5 kilograms of molasses and eight 30-kilogram bags of fresh grass fed to the animals overnight.
Veterinary assessments emphasize that animal productivity depends on multiple overlapping variables. Livestock veterinarian Vijay Jayam noted that while larger dairy and goat facilities maintain superior ventilation and biosecurity, smallholders frequently lack the resources to manage severe heat stress. Vijay cautioned against assigning blame for lower milk yields or stunted animal growth entirely to air pollution without accounting for feed quality, housing conditions, disease, and the specific growth stage of the animal. He advised farmers to prioritize ventilation and clean drinking water.
Scientific Modeling and Research Findings
Isolating the precise impact of particulate matter on livestock remains scientifically complex. Researchers at Thailand’s Chiang Mai Rajabhat University modeled that three days of exposure to PM2.5 concentrations reaching 150 micrograms per cubic metre could decrease average daily weight gain in broiler chickens by 5.2 per cent. Kulisara Marupanthorn, a veterinarian and research supervisor on the project, stressed that these figures represent theoretical projections rather than confirmed field mortality.
Fieldwork conducted by Kulisara’s team identified poorer respiratory, immune, and production outcomes among birds exposed to elevated PM2.5 levels, though researchers could not definitively separate the effects of smoke pollution from concurrent fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Kulisara recommended that small-scale operators maintain clean drinking water and minimize dust, while cautioning that sealing poultry-house curtains to block smoke can inadvertently trap heat and humidity if ventilation systems are insufficient.
Factors driving up Malaysian livestock costs and production
- What factors are driving up operating costs for Malaysian livestock farmers? Farmers face higher expenses due to the necessity of installing mechanical ventilation, misting systems, and solar panels, alongside increased spending on supplemental feed, fresh grass, minerals, and molasses to counteract heat stress in their animals.
- How does hot weather affect egg and poultry production? Elevated temperatures contribute to laying hen mortality, which reduces egg supplies and pushes up retail prices. Broiler chickens also require up to an additional week to reach market weight under prolonged heat and haze conditions.
- Can the decline in livestock productivity be blamed solely on the haze? Veterinarians and researchers note that while haze contributes to respiratory stress and reduced feed intake, other factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, housing quality, disease, and feed composition also play critical roles in animal productivity.
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