Carbon farming, independent guidance for farmers...
Uncertainty surrounds the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and issues associated with carbon farming and carbon trading. The good news is independent information is available to help farmers better understand the subject and prepare for the future.
John Paul Praat, senior consultant with forestry and agricultural consultancy P.A. Handford and Associates says, "Farmers need independent information and advice on how to proceed. We can’t predict what is going to happen in the future, but unless we learn to optimise carbon management at farm level we are going to struggle to manage it as a nation.”
A package has been developed with the help of the Carbon Farming Group and with funding from MAFs Sustainable Farming Fund, which provides independent information for farmers, agribusiness managers and farm foresters. This package includes a series of presentations and a range of information leaflets.
The information is backed by research. Praat says the majority of sheep and beef farms used in case studies, already had sufficient forestry to offset ruminant emissions and therefore were Kyoto-compliant. However dairy farms were less likely to have existing forestry and could consider planting as a cost mitigation strategy. Use of nitrification inhibiters may also be a viable strategy to avoid emission liabilities.
Farmers don't need to panic or make rushed decisions, they have time to consider options while government policy decisions are being finalised.
For more information about the presentations and seminars contact John-Paul Praat.
