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10 Farm cost inflation set to fall fast
Vol 21 No 16, May 1, 2023
View online at farmersweekly.co.nz
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Trees won’t save us, CCC warns Neal Wallace and Gerald Piddock
NEWS
Climate change
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EW Zealand cannot plant its way to carbon neutrality and must act with greater urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest Climate Change Commission advice to the government. While forestry will continue to have a role in carbon sequestration, commission chair Dr Rod Carr said it does not incentivise the reduction of gross carbon emissions but only encourages excessive tree planting, which reduces future land use options. The commission calls for greater government urgency to meet climate change objectives and wants regulations streamlined to allow the accelerated adoption of new technology. It also wants reform of the emissions trading scheme (ETS), saying in its current form it does not encourage the reduction of emissions but drives afforestation. “The only way we can get NZ to stay at net zero in 2050 and beyond, is to reduce our gross emissions,” Carr told Farmers Weekly. Carr expects 500,000ha of land to be planted in exotic and native trees by 2035, of which 60,000ha was planted last year.
He urged the government to provide advice and assistance to improve the performance of agriculture’s 20% worst greenhouse gas emitters, a move he said will go a long way to meeting the sector’s emission goals. “The question is, how do we accelerate the number of farmers in that space?” Carr is confident that known breeding, feeding and management, along with targeted tree planting, will allow farmers to achieve a 10% reduction of 2017 methane levels by 2030. To meet the 24-47% reduction goal by 2050 will require new technology. Farmers should be rewarded for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but he reiterated his surprise that farmers have adopted He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), describing it as an expensive and complex way to price emissions. Carr called for an end to the blame game, with urban blaming rural for that sector’s emissions and rural blaming faceless international politicians for setting targets, saying a lowcarbon world will be sustainable, affordable and provide opportunities. “We will be better off when we get this job done.” Federated Farmers president
Back to the future at Ploughing Champs Sharon Chynoweth of Canterbury waits with horses Blue and Flash at the recent National Ploughing Championships in Milton.
PEOPLE 9
Indigenous forestry researcher farewelled Greg Steward, who is the first to admit he failed science and left school at 16, was farewelled by dozens of current and former colleagues at a special function at Te Whare Nui o Tuteata this month.
PEOPLE 20 A survey has found that not many catchment groups have specific objectives they are working towards, or action plans.
Zespri is an example of a food company that has undertaken to fully understand its customers’ needs, says top researcher.
As he eyes retirement, Steve Wyn-Harris makes good on his promise to share his succession plans for the family farm.
NEWS 13
MARKETS 15
OPINION 19
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