Otago Daily Times

Vegetation grown onfarm offsets agricultur­al emissions

- SALLY RAE

FARMERS are welcoming an independen­t study which has found New Zealand’s sheep and beef farms are already close to being carbon neutral.

The study, led by Dr Bradley Case at the Auckland University of Technology, estimated the woody vegetation on farms was offsetting between 63% and 118% of their onfarm agricultur­al emissions.

If the midpoint in the report’s range was used, on average the woody vegetation on sheep and beef farms was absorbing about 90% of these emissions.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor said absolute greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand sheep and beef production have reduced by 30% since 1990.

“This research shows that of the remaining emissions, the vast majority are being offset by the trees on our farms and New Zealand sheep and beef farmers are well on the way to being carbon neutral by 2050.

The study reinforces the importance of farmers getting formal recognitio­n for the sequestrat­ion happening on their farms, Mr McIvor said in a statement.

“Currently, most vegetation on sheep and beef farms does not qualify for inclusion in the ETS [emissions trading scheme] because it does not meet the definition of a forest. If farmers are to face a price for agricultur­al emissions, it’s only fair they get credit for their sequestrat­ion.

“The focus to date on livestock’s climate change contributi­on has been on emissions, rather than on sequestrat­ion. But with any product it makes sense to consider the whole business – in this case, taking a whole of farm approach.

“The study should also reassure consumers that New Zealand beef and lamb is among the most sustainabl­e in the world, and our farmers are making a significan­t contributi­on to addressing onfarm agricultur­al emissions.’’

West Otago farmer Richard France welcomed the report, saying it was positive to see.

He had always thought that farmers were never given credit for the grasses, tussocks — ‘‘and other bits and pieces’’ — that they did grow.

In the France family’s farming business, they had a ‘‘fairly big plan’’ for the future around fencing waterways and plantings.

It was fortunate that two of their sons were on the farm and both enjoyed fencing and planting trees.

There was already quite a bit of planting when Mr France and his wife Kerry bought their home block and they had since done a lot of shelterbel­t plantings, including most recently on a new block of land.

Shelterbel­ts provided shade for stock in summer and, most importantl­y, protection from the elements during winter.

Having shelterbel­ts ‘‘in the right place doing their thing’’ paid big dividends during the recent storms in the South, Mr France said.

There was also the amenity value of having plantings.

‘‘They do look good. It does add value to your farm if you’ve got the right trees in the right place.’’

Mr and Mrs France, who were finalists in th 2015 Otago Ballance Farm Environmen­t Awards, endeavoure­d to minimise their impact on the environmen­t. That included a focus on soil conservati­on and direct drilling most of their winter crops.

 ?? PHOTO: SUPPLIED ?? West Otago farmers Richard and Kerry France.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED West Otago farmers Richard and Kerry France.

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