Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
New technologies will help reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. But meanwhile farmers must remain as efficient as possible.
So says Dr Harry Clark, director of the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) and a member of the Interim Climate Change Committee (ICCC).
He says the new website www.farmingmatters.nz, recently launched by NZAGRC, will equip farmers and rural professionals to assess and manage on farm emissions and adapt to a changing environment.
The website initially focuses on methane, which makes up 70% of NZ’s agricultural emissions. And it will soon cover nitrous oxide and strategies for adapting to climate change.
“Methane belched out by ruminant livestock such as cows and sheep is a problem for NZ,” Clark says.
Researchers in NZ and overseas are investigating technologies that might help to reduce methane emissions by livestock.
Methanogen vaccines and inhibitors are also under development to try to cut methane emissions by 30%.
New formulations and alternative products are being investigated.
But until such technologies are available Clark says farmers can look to cut emissions by small improvements in every aspect of their operation.
Clark says there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead individual farmers can best figure out how they might cut their farms’ emissions without harming profits.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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