Carbon Neutral 2030: Getting Started on Farm
| Project start date: | 02 December 2022 |
| Project end date: | 01 February 2027 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb, Grass-fed Beef |
| Relevant regions: | National, Western Australia, Mediterranean |
| Site location: | WA: South Coast Region |
Summary
This Producer Demonstration Site project aims to demonstrate the educational packages and services available to producers to meet the MLA target of carbon neutrality by 2030 and the initial practice change steps required to increase producer skills, knowledge, and uptake. Core and observer producers will be provided with support to increase their knowledge and skills on how to create a carbon baseline and an emission reduction/carbon sequestration plan. Core producers will have a carbon baseline for their business, a plan to reduce their carbon footprint and have implemented at least one practice change within the term of the project. The project will establish five demonstrations to measure the impact of implementing new practices on farm that work towards achieving carbon neutrality.
Objectives
By December 2026 in the Esperance region of Western Australia, this project will engage 10 core producers, 50observer producers and establish 5 demonstrations site to:
- Demonstrate how to create a carbon baseline and an emission reduction / carbon sequestration plan.
- 100% of core producers will have a carbon baseline for their business, a plan to reduce their carbon footprint and have implemented at least one practice change.
- 100% of observer producers willhave improved their understanding of CN30, how to work towards it, and have the confidence to start. 20% of observer producers will take action to start while 40% will have the intent to start.
- Measure the impact of practice change on the demonstration sites and produce a cost / benefit analysis.
- Publish a “Starting your CN30 journey” toolkit for WA Mediterranean zone producers to follow, including 6 case studies.
Progress
The “Carbon Neutral 2030 – Getting Started on Farm” Producer Demonstration Site project is based in Esperance WA and led by grower group ASHEEP & BEEF. The project commenced in March 2023 and will run for 4 years concluding in 2027.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the educational packages and services available to producers to meet the MLA target of carbon neutrality by 2030 and the initial practice change steps required. The first activity for the project was the running of “The Baseline Workshop!” Of the 14-farm business that have joined the project 7 attended a study tour to DPIRD’s Katanning Research Station to learn more about their CN30 journey to date and the strategies they are implementing. This included a session with project consultant Richard Brake & DPIRD’s Mandy Curnow where producers worked through the results of each carbon profile and possible ways to reduce emissions.
Production efficiencies have been identified as a key strategy along with improving pastures and shortening livestock turn off time. The next step in the project is to develop emission reduction plans for each business which will be followed for at least two years to track changes.
The project is being managed by ASHEEP & BEEF’s project facilitator Jan Clawson and consultant Richard Brake of Richard Brake Consulting.
