The findings were recently presented at a seminar at the Walcha Gold Club that brought farmers, scientists and consumers together to determine whether livestock production is the greenhouse crime it is made out to be, and how producers can better position themselves to shape future emissions research, policy and trade.

Although livestock farms such as those participating in the Lower Apsley River Landcare Group study are net emitters of greenhouse gases annually, (primarily due to livestock methane emissions), the study also showed that there are huge amounts of carbon in our rural landscape. Native vegetation, planted trees and potentially soils contribute significantly to carbon sequestration. There are also big flows of carbon through the pasture-soil-livestock carbon cycle, an issue that requires further research.

The study concluded that there are opportunities for agriculture to reduce emissions and sequester carbon while maintaining or increasing profitability and long-term sustainability of farming systems. The study and information presented at the seminar emphasised the need to look at carbon stocks in a landscape context, and it follows that an emissions accounting system needs to cater for such.

“Current emission accounting rules for trade are unsuited to the farming sector and urgently need addressing,” explained Shane Andrews, a project officer involved in case study.

“It is impossible to fairly judge the greenhouse credentials of livestock production if only emissions are counted.