A climate of constant change will have physical and mental impacts on people – from water quality issues to a feeling of homesickness, where you feel you don’t belong.

Animals are sentient beings too – they have friends, they suffer. They can communicate to us they’re in discomfort. In a hotter climate with more drastic events, animals also face impacts to their welfare and wellbeing. The more the climate changes, the more they’ll be constrained in their nature, especially by over-farming practices.

Plants may not think, but they definitely communicate with each other, through chemistry.

Lincoln University’s farm is designed for the future, for climate change in a constant climate of change. The animals’ wellbeing, their whole health, as well as that of the farmers and the people the farm feeds are key considerations. We use system thinking and complex adaptive system theory.

The farm and the herd are designed to cope with climate change – and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For the wellbeing of animals, we have incorporated woody vegetation that is multifunctional – offering bioactives, as well as shade and shelter.

We’ve reduced emissions by 25%, by reducing inputs of nitrogen fertiliser and the stocking rate, while maintaining productivity and increasing profitability.

Prof Pablo Gregorini, of Lincoln University.