From the start of US President Joe Biden’s transition, a focus was put on combating climate change.

One way he plans to do this is to pay farmers to use conservation agriculture techniques, such as planting cover crops to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A carbon bank is set to be created and the US Department of Agriculture is to provide support for climate-smart land management practices.

The administration plans to make the US the first country in the world to reach net-zero emissions.

The introduction of the straw incorporation scheme by the Department of Agriculture is along the same lines as Biden’s plans

Some farmers in the US are also starting to sell carbon credits to companies and individuals who want to offset their carbon emissions on the carbon market. The estimated value of carbon here in Ireland is about €30/t. The introduction of the straw incorporation scheme by the Department of Agriculture is along the same lines as Biden’s plans, and could see large amounts of carbon stored in tillage soils and account for emissions from the entire agricultural sector.

Cover cropping is expected to receive more attention under the next CAP.

Schemes have helped to increase the area planted to cover crops in the past, but there is plenty of room for expansion, while there are also opportunities in grassland management. It’s worth keeping an eye on Biden’s carbon plans.