Accelerating Sustainability Measures On Farm

In the cane fields of the Burdekin, third generation sugarcane farmer Christian Lago has recently completed a Farm Emissions Report with Nutrien Ag Solutions, saying the insights have helped inform his priorities for future emission reduction activities.

“The report used our on-farm production data and scientifically verified, governmental and industry approved models to quantify emissions occurring at each step along the production system,” Mr Lago said.

“It showed that the majority of our emissions are attributed to the application of nitrogen fertilisers, and highlighted techniques for reducing these losses; as well as opportunities for increasing our atmospheric carbon sequestration.”

Nutrien Ag Solutions Sustainability Field Manager Charles Starkings said there’s an increased drive for transparency into the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Australian industries and businesses due to the COP21 Paris Agreement and national emission reduction target of Net Zero by 2050.

“Market demand is further contributing towards this push for emissions transparency and reduction,

as the preferences of consumers and other key stakeholders shift towards produce and practices

that have a verifiably low GHG footprint,” Mr Starkings said.

“There are both short and long-term opportunities for Australian farmers who are positioned to deliver this product, and the first step in preparing for this is to understand the emissions associated with your farm business.

“A Farm Emissions Report enables farmers to visualise where emissions are occurring within their production system, and then make informed decisions on practice change to reduce future emissions.”

For Mr Lago, the experience of completing a Farm Emissions Report was educational and straightforward.

“We wanted to get an understanding of how our farming carbon footprint is calculated, and what the major contributors are in our system,” he said.

“Good records will definitely make the process easier – we reviewed our production data, energy and fuel use, fertiliser and chemical applications and protected vegetation information.

“It was a very informative process and demonstrated that while we’re on the right track, there are some areas where we can concentrate our efforts to achieve better environmental outcomes.”

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Sustainability Team can now assist in the completion of a Farm Emissions Report.

If you are interested in completing this first step, North East Sustainability Field Manager Charles Starkings at charles.starkings@nutrien.com.au or on 0438 400 988.

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The Australian agricultural industry today accounts for approximately 14% of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Of that 14%, 77% is due to the emission of methane, 19% to the emission of nitrous oxide, and the remaining 4% to the emission of carbon dioxide.