No reason to demonise farming
OPINION: New Zealand has said it is going to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by ‘a lot’ and ‘in a short time’. One of those gases is methane. Our biggest producer of methane is livestock farming.
Canterbury milk processor Synlait says it has recorded a significant improvement in its operation's greenhouse gas emissions.
Synlait's on-farm emissions intensity, per kgMS, reduce 5% over the past year, or 10% compared to its financial year 2018 (FY18) base year when targets were first established.
Total off-farm emissions have remained stable since last year, however, emissions intensity per kg of product, has reduced by 24% compared to FY18.
The company produced its sustainability report last week.
Synlait director - sustainability, brand, beverages and cream, Hamish Reid, says the company's sustainability journey started in 2017.
"That's when we realised that business could no longer talk about, and plan for, perpetual continuity.
"Since then we have chosen to pivot, building and delivering on our sustainability strategu, and we are making some impressive gains, which have exceeded our own expectations.
"We still have a long way to go - as a company, as an industry, and as a country, but here at Synlait we are determined to change, and to inspire others to join us."
Farmers are welcoming a $17 million, seven-year collaborative science and research programme to lift pasture persistence and productivity.
Maize and sweetcorn pest fall armyworm has defied initial assessments regarding its ability to survive over winter in some parts of New Zealand.
A report released this morning at the National Fieldays, Mystery Creek shows dairy farmer confidence growing, but challenges remain.
Supporting farmers to build great workplaces is a focus for DairyNZ, which is why they say they have relaunched the self-assessment tool, Workplace 360.
Around 97% of New Zealand pet owners value the care provided by their vet teams, but the broader contribution of animal health professionals to society often goes unseen, a new study has revealed.
More Australian states are embracing virtual fencing technology, opening growth opportunities for Kiwi companies like Halter.
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