Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
NZ's farming sector has been left disappointed and stunned over the Government's proposal to price agricultural emissions.
Federated Farmers argues the plans would "rip the guts out of small town New Zealand, putting trees where farms used to be". It accuses the Government of throwing out the years of work the sector put into finding a solution and said it was "deeply unimpressed" with the Government's take on what He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) put forward.
Modelling done by Ministry for Primary Industries shows that without representation - and assuming farmers paid the levies at the farm gate - using the price proposed by HWEN of 11c a kilo of methane, by 2030 production of milksolids would be down by up to 5.9%, lamb down 21.4%, beef down 36.7% and wool down 21.1%.
The same modelling showed that 2.7% of dairy land would go out of dairy production while 17.7% of sheep and cattle country would cease running livestock, presumably to be converted to forestry.
Government modelling also shows that for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced under the pricing scheme, about 650 kilograms of greenhouse gas will go up elsewhere in the world. That's because some reduced production in New Zealand will be replaced by higher-emissions production overseas. DairyNZ - a major signatory to HWEN - also has concerns. It says the announcement is "another step" toward a new system. However, the dairy farmer levy body adds that work is needed to "get it right" and make it fair and practical for farmers.
It especially disagrees with changes made to limit the recognition and reward farmers will get for their planting, by removing classes of sequestration like shelterbelts, woodlots and scattered trees.
It is also unhappy with the ability for farmers to form collectives to work together to report, reduce or offset their emissions - a mechanism it argues will drive the change that is needed.
Beef+Lamb New Zealand - the other major HWEN partner - is similarly concerned about the Government's decision to reduce the categories of sequestration recognised. It says sheep and beef farmers will be most heavily affected by a price on agricultural emissions - likely to be exacerbated by these proposed sequestration changes.
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) says while this proposal is better than putting the ag sector into the ETS, it still needs work. MIA points out that lower sheep and beef numbers by 30% since 1990. It adds that NZ's red meat sector is highly emissions efficient, with its carbon footprint around half of the global average.
Consultation runs for six weeks, until Nov 18, with final proposals to go to Ministers for approval in 2023.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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