Abstract

Farmer focus groups have been involved in a range of learning exercises and farm system modelling exercises to determine the effect that alternative farm management scenarios would have on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission profiles on-farm. Annual GHG emissions from the current livestock farming policies for the sheep and beef property were estimated to be 4.91 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per hectare (t CO2-e/ha) or 14.3 kg CO2-e per kg of meat and fibre produced. All of the alternative farm management options had a small impact on total GHG emissions, ranging from a reduction of 0.67 t CO2-e/ha to an increase in 0.42 t CO2-e/ha (-13% and + 8% of the whole farm emissions per hectare, respectively). Most exposed the business to greater risk due to market and climate variability. The Canterbury dairy farm annual GHG emissions from the current farm were estimated to be 13.1 t CO2-e/ha or 9.9 kg CO2-e per kg of milk solids. Across the mitigation scenarios investigated total GHG emissions were up to 14% lower than the baseline farm while emissions intensity ranged from 33% higher to 9% lower than the baseline farm. Opportunities which decreased emissions intensity and increased profit were identified; these require consideration of multiple risks around climate and market variability.

RA, Dynes, DC Smeaton, AP Rhodes, TJ Fraser, and MA Brown

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 71, Invercargill, 167-1"71, 2011