University of Waikato research reveals 2050 drought threats
New research could help farmers prepare for a future where summer rainfall is increasingly unpredictable and where drought risk is rising, no matter what.
A GLOBAL AGREEMENT is needed on greenhouse gases, but New Zealand is leading agricultural research on cutting emissions and farmers are doing their bit, says Climate Change minister, Tim Groser.
Groser says the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasises the need for a truly global agreement in 2015. The IPCC Working Group III report on the mitigation of climate change was released on Sunday (April 13). It says deep cuts in GHG emissions remain possible but there are significant challenges.
Groser says the report shows mitigation requires international cooperation. "New Zealand is doing its fair share on climate change, taking into account our unique national circumstances, both to restrict our own emissions and support the global efforts needed to make the cuts that will limit warming," he says
"We are leading international research into reducing agricultural emissions, which are a significant contributor to total global emissions. We are working with other countries in the Asia Pacific on the development of international carbon markets, and we are helping vulnerable Pacific neighbours adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts, with more than $80 million pledged over the next three years.
"We are making inroads that will gradually restrict our own emissions. We are a country with a growing population, yet the emissions intensity of our economy has decreased by more than one quarter since 1990," he says
"At the same time agriculture GDP increased 48%, while emissions only went up by 12%. That means farmers have been producing more meat and milk for export, with fewer greenhouse gas emissions per kilo. New Zealand is also significantly ahead of most countries in limiting energy sector emissions, as our electricity supply is mostly renewable and we are heading towards a 90% renewable system by 2025.
"New Zealand has made an unconditional commitment to take responsibility for our own emissions, with a target of 5% below 1990 levels by 2020. This target is comparable with the targets of many other developed countries."
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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