ON FARM NATIONAL matters These include the following tools and technologies: Get your business Carbon accounting tool and CN30‑ready training packages “An important first step is providing Here are seven ways to be on the front producers with a carbon accounting foot towards carbon neutrality. tool so they can determine their net GHG emissions position, Now identify strategies to reduce these 1. Arm yourself with the right knowledge. emissions and improve carbon Identify your emission sources, know what storage on-farm,” Doug said. carbon storage options are available and document these in your carbon account. “MLA’s CN30 Manager, Margaret Jewell, has been working with mla.com.au/carbon‑account Doug McNicholl presenting CN30 at producers across the country the 2020 ABARES Conference. 2. Consider herd or flock management to develop a next generation practices to improve livestock diet, farm-level accounting tool.” Several supplements have breeding efficiency or structure to reduce been identified which methane emissions per kilogram of live A carbon accounting training weight produced. manual is also being developed provide reductions in enteric to help producers get on the methane and improvements in mla.com.au/erf‑fact‑sheet front foot and maintain or animal productivity, including mla.com.au/reduce‑methane‑emissions improve productivity while the following: 3. Identify shade and shelter options on reducing emissions. • 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) your property. Integrate trees and shrubs is likely to be available to to grazing systems for improved carbon New supplements and producers within the next few storage and animal health and biodiversity feedbase options years and can reduce enteric benefits. Your local Landcare group More than three-quarters of methane emissions in cattle fed can help you choose the right tree and emissions from enteric fermentation grain-based diets vegetation species for your region. (digestion) are from beef cattle on • marine macroalgae such as mla.com.au/tree‑grass‑balance pasture. Approximately half these Asparagopsis app has been emissions are from cows aged Within three years more than two years. shown to substantially reduce 4. Plan for delivery and distribution of new enteric methane emissions feeds and supplements which reduce “This is why MLA and its when incorporated into methane emissions from livestock and research partners are investing feedlot rations. ■ improve animal growth rates. This will in new feedbase options and enable more red meat to be produced for supplements which reduce Doug McNicholl the same or reduced methane emissions. methane emissions from livestock E: dmcnicholl@mla.com.au and improve animal growth rates 5. Establish deep-rooted, palatable pastures Margaret Jewell and legumes to improve soil carbon levels and reproduction,” Doug said. E: mjewell@mla.com.au and lift animal productivity. “Legumes such as leucaena and Learn more about CN30 at Longer term desmanthus can raise animal mla.com.au/cn30 productivity, reduce methane 6. Consider what mix of pastures, legumes emissions and offer additional soil and trees is suitable to maintain livestock health benefits by fixing nitrogen.” productivity in future weather and climate scenarios. 7. Look at collaborative supply chain arrangements to mitigate financial, environmental and market risks as well as the impact on business inputs and output. 17