Emissions reporting is one area that can present opportunities to local landholders.
A workshop in Rochester in July is aimed at helping the region’s farmers take advantage of the opportunities in this space and benefit their businesses at the same time.
“While primary producers are not expected to eliminate their emissions, they do need to understand the basics of on-farm emissions,” North Central Catchment Management Authority carbon farming outreach project manager Katrina Rast said.
“This includes not just on-farm emissions such as fuel use and livestock methane, but also indirect emissions from electricity and, crucially, those that occur up and down the supply chain such as fertilisers and transport.”
Ms Rast said there were opportunities for local farmers to make small changes in their whole-farm plans, improve productivity and gain access to emerging and changing markets.
“For local irrigation farmers, simple things such as improving irrigation efficiency by using a drip or centre pivot can quickly reduce on-farm emissions,’’ she said.
“For dryland farmers, planting perennial pastures and drought-resilient species and enhancing drought resilience across your farm are great first steps.
“Local meat and livestock farmers can create advantages in this space by also improving their efficiency and better managing manure.”
Ms Rast said the free workshop would feature these locally relevant strategies and more, delivered by people who had practical experience in agriculture.
The Know Your Number, Control Your Future workshops will be held at the Rochester Community House, 43-45 MacKay St, on July 1, from 10.30am to 3pm, will feature practical insights and locally relevant strategies, delivered by people who have practical experience in agriculture.
Go to nccma.vic.gov.au/knowyournumber to find out more.
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