ON FARM NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY Why carbon neutrality The Australian red meat initiatives such as CN30, enables market conditions. As custodians and livestock industry has ongoing trust and support for our of around half of Australia’s land set the ambitious target industry. It underpins our position as mass, an enormous opportunity to be carbon neutral by a responsible producer of high-value, exists to be the prime example of 2030 (CN30). clean, safe and natural protein,” a productive, profitable, carbon Doug said. neutral industry. This means Australia’s beef, lamb and What’s in it for producers? What will this mean for goat industries – including production, lot feeding and meat processing The big wins for producers from Australia’s national herd in 2030? are aiming for no ‘net release’ of CN30 activities include: According to Doug, carbon neutrality greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into • novel animal supplements and doesn’t need to come at the cost of the atmosphere in 10 years’ time. legumes which can increase live livestock numbers. weight gains and dramatically reduce CSIRO analysis shows it’s possible to But what does this really mean on-farm methane emissions and what can producers do to reach achieve CN30 without reducing herd this goal? • increased soil organic matter from numbers below the rolling 10-year deep-rooted pastures and legumes, average (25 million cattle, 70 million Here, MLA Manager – Sustainability which improves soil health, feedbase sheep and 0.5 million goats). Innovation, Doug McNicholl, shares productivity and drought resilience what producers need to know about (see story page 32) By 2030, producers will be even more CN30 and the part MLA is playing to • improvements in genetics and herd attuned to the influence of genetic, reach this target. management which can reduce environmental, technological and methane emissions per kilogram market factors on red meat production, “The industry has created an of live weight produced, enabling and will be able to: opportunity to turn today’s productivity improvements alongside • access the best information, enabling pressures into tomorrow’s reductions in emissions intensity. selection of livestock with multiple attributes to increase productivity opportunities,” Doug said. “Whether it’s reducing net emissions, and reduce methane emissions per boosting productivity or developing kilogram produced MLA’s approach to achieving CN30 is new markets, these CN30 activities focused on delivering multiple benefits deliver multiple benefits to producers • select supplements, pastures, to industry, customers, consumers andthe community,” Doug said. legumes and trees with multiple and the community. attributes, enabling livestock to Is CN30 actually achievable? thrive in more extreme weather and “The CN30 target sends a clear signal Doug said CN30 is achievable with climate conditions to government and consumers that industry commitment, the right policy • accessmore established markets for the red meat industry is proactively settings and new investment in low and zero carbon red meat and addressing emissions.” research, development and adoption. co-products. Staying ahead of current and future CSIRO has presented some theoretical What’s in the CN30 pipeline? consumer, customer and community pathways for the Australian red meat MLA is working on a range of tools expectations regarding environmental industry to achieve CN30; however, the and technologies for producers to credentials allows red meat producers support of producers will be crucial to cost-effectively reduce emissions to stamp their mark in a competitive the initiative’s success. and boost the value of red meat sales global protein market. Australian red meat producers by demonstrating environmental “Demonstrated commitment to have a long and proud history of stewardship credentials to customers, environmental stewardship, through adapting to environmental and consumers and the community. 16