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 demonstration site progress reports have shown this year has been quite challenging, with a late start to the growing season and limited rainfall since. Carbon emissions haven’t always been the highest priority on farms when facing feed and water limitations. Improving pastures has been challenging, with many lessons learnt. Production efficiencies are a key strategy in drier times along with shorter turnoff time for livestock. These are all good farm practices. The Eastern Sates Tour group heard from Prof. Richard Eckard at Sheepvention, who suggested “If farmers increase farm efficiency; carbon emissions will naturally reduce”. So, whilst dealing with recent challenging seasonal conditions has meant that carbon emissions has not been a central focus for producers, ASHEEP & BEEF is hopeful we will continue to see improvements. For more information on the project go to the ASHEEP & BEEF project page at www.asheepbeef.org.au/cn30onfarm. There you will also find the recently developed Starting your CN30 journey on farm toolkit. This document provides easy to read information on carbon accounting and completing a carbon calculator. The project is being managed by ASHEEP & BEEF project facilitator Jan Clawson and consultant Richard Brake of Richard Brake Consulting.
