Sheep & Beef Farm Conversion to Forestry Slows, Risk Remains
Conversions of sheep and beef farms to forestry have slowed, however new research from Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) suggests land of value for food production remains at risk.
Speaking at B+LNZ's annual meeting in Rotorua today, Acland noted that some farmers have recently been calling for New Zealand to exit the Paris Agreement.
“We absolutely share concerns about New Zealand’s international climate change commitments, but we believe it’s not in our interests to undermine the global system (that we have so benefited from, from a trading perspective) by leaving Paris.
“Rather, our view is that it’s vital we reduce our domestic methane targets based on ‘no additional warming’ and then align that with our international commitments so that farmers have certainty.”
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Its overarching goal is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”
B+LNZ is working with farmers to manage their emissions.
Acland notes that this year it will also see the first beef methane genetics project underway.
She says in collaboration with researchers and farmers around the world, this will help to ensure our beef farmers can manage their emissions and stay on a level playing field as their competitors.
“Most importantly, this project will investigate feed conversion efficiency, ensuring beef farmers are sustainable and productive by finding the animals that produce more meat from less grass with the added benefit of less methane.
“Our investment in these big research areas will make a measurable difference for farmers into the future.”
But Acland says research, both theirs and others, has the most impact if it is then adopted by farmers. B+LNZ is changing its extension programme by introducing focus groups and hub farms across the country.
Acland says research can’t be left on the shelf.
“Therefore, as part of the strategy, we significantly lifted our investment into our extension programme.
“We now have more boots on the ground around the region and are rolling out two major programmes: focus groups and hub farms.”
