This is a subscriber-only article
Beef and sheep farms in New Zealand are estimated to be offsetting between 63% and 118% of their on-farm agricultural emissions through trees and vegetation on their land, new research has found.
The research, carried out by Auckland University of Technology, suggests that New Zealand’s beef and sheep farms are close to being carbon neutral.
If the mid-point in the report’s range is used, on average, the woody vegetation on sheep and beef farms is absorbing about 90% of these emissions, according to Beef and Lamb New Zealand.
Woody vegetation refers to 1.52m hectares of native forest and 0.48m hectares of exotic vegetation, according to the research.
The study has not quantified the sequestration taking place on dairy farms, but the findings are helpful for the dairy farmers who do have sequestration happening on their farms. The beef emissions figure in the research includes an allocation for dairy-beef.
On-farm sequestration
Beef and Lamb New Zealand CEO Sam McIvor says 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.
If farmers are to face a price for agricultural emissions, it’s only fair they get credit for their sequestration
“The study reinforces the importance of farmers getting formal recognition for the sequestration happening on their farms.
“Currently, most vegetation on sheep and beef farms does not qualify for inclusion in the emissions trading scheme (ETS) 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.”
Credit
Dr Bradley Case of the university said there is a strong case for farmers to get credit for the sequestration happening on their farms.
“This is an integral part of He Waka Eke Noa, the regulatory framework that industry and government are currently developing to manage agricultural emissions and recognise on-farm sequestration.
While there is fairly good information about soil carbon stocks, there is not good data about yearly changes in soil sequestration
“This research not only builds understanding of the overall greenhouse gas contribution of the sheep and beef sector, but will help inform the development of policy, and further reinforce the outstanding biodiversity on sheep and beef farms,” he said.
The net carbon emissions estimation assumed a net-neutral rate for soil sequestration so the amount of sequestration happening could be even greater, according to the research.
“While there is fairly good information about soil carbon stocks, there is not good data about yearly changes in soil sequestration and the science on this is still in development,” Dr Case said.
The research was commissioned by Beef and Lamb New Zealand and the report was written by Dr Bradley Case and Catherine Ryan. It was peer reviewed by Dr Fiona Carswell, chief scientist, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research and Dr Adam Forbes, senior ecologist, Forbes Ecology, research associate and New Zealand school of forestry, University of Canterbury.
SHARING OPTIONS: