Carbon Toolkits in Agriculture Network update
March 2012
Welcome
Hi and welcome to our March 2012 issue. Demand for carbon and emissions information has continued to increase over the past few months. Check out this update for a range of ways that you can gain further understanding of carbon and emissions on-farm, improve your understanding and management of soils or apply for a community action grant.
Enjoy the read. Any feedback is always greatly appreciated.
Issue features
Upcoming webinar: What’s “Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm” all about?
Carbon and emissions management is relevant to many aspects of farm management, but it is complex and can be difficult to understand.
‘Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm’ is a new booklet developed by the Department of Primary Industries that focuses on the practical actions farm businesses can take in the area of carbon and emissions.
This webinar will provide the context to this new booklet, explaining why the booklet was developed, who the intended audiences are and how to access further support services.
The booklet has been widely distributed across Victoria and already the feedback is positive, with comments such as “at last the carbon story has been explained specifically from a farmer’s perspective and for the whole farm”.
The webinar will be held on Tuesday 24th April 2012 from 11.30am-12.30pm. Register here.
To join a webinar you need:
- access to a computer, laptop or mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet;
- a stable internet connection, preferably with a minimum speed of 56kbps;
- an audio connection via a computer headset or phone.
For further information: email Chrissy.Robertson@dpi.vic.gov.au.
To order hard copies of the booklet please complete the online form.
New FarmGAS Scenario Tool now available
The new and improved FarmGAS Scenario Tool is now available from the Australian Farm Institute website. FarmGAS estimates greenhouse gas emissions at both farm enterprise and whole farm scale. Registered users can also calculate the effect different management options have on greenhouse gas emission levels and the potential to generate carbon credits. It offers flexibility to tailor calculations to individual situations, such as climate zones.
New features include:
- customisable emission calculations
- more enterprises to choose from
- more reporting options
- downloadable Excel CSV files for further analysis
- the ability to create multiple scenarios.
FarmGAS was modified from the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) 2006 accounting method to make emissions calculations more applicable at the farm scale.
A FarmGAS User Guide and case studies will also be added to the website by May 2012. Users of the original calculator can use their previous login details.
For further information: email the Australian Farm Institute or phone 02 9690 1388.
Learn how to use the new FarmGAS Tool
If there is sufficient interest, Australian Farm Institute project officer Renelle Jeffrey will run half day workshops on the FarmGAS Scenario Tool.
The workshops would include:
- Introduction to the FarmGAS tool;
- Demonstration of the FarmGAS tool;
- An interactive session for participants to get hands on experience of the FarmGAS tool;
- Resources and presentation materials for use on the farm or with producer or other user groups.
Please register your interest via email to Sarah.Holland-Clift@dpi.vic.gov.au. We will then determine the most suitable date and location for those interested.
Latest news and funding opportunities
Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) update
There is nothing new to report on the CFI since our December issue. The CFI allows farmers and land managers to earn carbon credits by storing carbon or reducing greenhouse gas emissions on the land. Landholders undertaking projects to credit offsets will need to use an approved methodology in order to participate in the carbon offset scheme. Participation in the CFI is voluntary; farmers and landholders can choose whether or not to be involved.
2012-2013 Community Action Grants – applications close 27 March
The Australian Government is seeking applications for 2012-13 Community Action Grants. As part of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative, Community Action Grants recognise the contribution that community groups make to:
- Coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- Sustainable farm practices, or
- Biodiversity and natural icons.
As in previous rounds, local community, farming and Indigenous groups can apply for a grant between $5,000 and $20,000 (GST exclusive) to fund projects that encourage active participation and build the skills and knowledge of the community to protect and restore our environment and natural resources. Projects may include hosting a local field day, developing natural resource management plans, educating land owners in sustainable agriculture techniques and on-ground works.
All successful applicants must finish their project by 30 June 2013.
Upcoming events and training
DPI Climate Webinar Series
Register here to participate in these free, interactive, online sessions from your own desk via computer and audio connection (internet or phone). Each webinar includes a presentation, followed by discussion.
Upcoming webinars include:
- National Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative (NAMI), presented by DPI’s Rob Harris and Ashley Wallace. Rob and Ashley will discuss the key drivers affecting nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions on farms, identify regions where potential for N2O emissions are greatest and options available to ensure that more nitrogen ends up in the crop and less in the atmosphere. Tuesday 3 April, 10am to 11am.
- ‘Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm’ – what is it all about? This webinar will provide context to the new booklet titled ‘Making cent$ of carbon and emissions on-farm, explaining why the booklet was developed, who the intended audience is and where you can go for further support. Tuesday 24th April, 11:30am – 12:30pm.
- How does climate variability influence plant biosecurity? Presented by DPI Plant Pathologist, Dr Jo Luck. Tuesday 15 May, 10am to 11am.
- Australian climate and forecasting research update, including POAMA – the latest advances in dynamical forecasting, presented by Dr Andrew Watkins, Manager of Climate Prediction Services, Bureau of Meteorology. Tuesday 17th July, 10am to 11am.
For more information and to register online visit the DPI Weather and Climate Website.
If you miss a webinar, you can view some of our past webinars.
Seminar / presentation: Carbon Farming - A Good News Story
“Good for my business and good for the environment”
Topics will include:
- The way ahead – managing carbon in Wimmera farming systems (Andrew Weidemann President, VFF Grains Group)
- Carbon farming opportunities (Harm van Rees, Consultant Cropfacts, Bendigo)
- Capitalising on carbon – the key action areas (Graeme Anderson, DPI)
- The Five Big Questions (exploring motivations for farming and decision making) (Chris Sounness, DPI)
- Management of nitrogen inputs and losses from nitrous emissions (Ashley Wallace, DPI)
- Managing soils for improved productivity and soil carbon (Chris Pittock, DPI)
- Understanding and optimising livestock emissions (Jane Court, DPI)
- Other carbon issues for livestock farmers (Graeme Anderson, DPI)
When: Thursday 29th March 2012, 9:30am -3:00pm
Where: Grains Innovation Park, DPI, Natimuk Rd, Horsham
Cost: Free, including lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
RSVP: by 27th March to Chris Pittock - Chris.Pittock@dpi.vic.gov.au or (03) 5362 2111
Tools and resources
Soils Community of Practice
DPI has established a Soils Community of Practice to enable better communication and collaboration in this area and help people to improve their understanding and management of soils. The group communicates primarily via email and provides a forum for:
- Sharing relevant soil information
- Informing others of upcoming soil events / activities.
- Sharing good news stories.
- Using consistent and accurate extension material and providing consistent messaging to farmers and private providers.
Membership is free. To subscribe to the group, email sally.stead@dpi.vic.gov.au.
Agri Climate Culture Blog
This blog is for farmers, advisors, and researchers who are interested in climate change and agriculture. You are able to read about:
- Stories that have appeared in the media
- Research into climate change and adaptation
- The Climate Champions program
- Funding available for adaptation and mitigation
Biochar: implications for agricultural productivity
Published in December, 2011, this report focuses on the agricultural productivity benefits of biochar. The use of biochar as a way to abate greenhouse gases and sequester carbon is discussed in only general terms.
Transport costs for Australian agriculture
The Australian Farm Institute has released a new research report Transport costs for Australian agriculture. The report provides details of transport costs as a percentage of farmgate value for twelve different agricultural case studies and highlights the importance of transport costs for agricultural businesses.
This research identified that transport costs are between 4% and 48.5% of the farmgate value of agricultural products, with the ratio being much higher for products such as grain. While these results are drawn from case studies and so do not necessarily represent whole industries, they demonstrate that transport costs are a major part of the total cost to produce and deliver a product to its destination, particularly for beef cattle and grain.
This research has been carried out by Garry Goucher & Associates and the report can be purchased via the Australia Farm Institute website.
New book: ‘Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture’
Climate Change Mitigation and Agriculture supplements the literature on the science behind carbon emissions reduction with its focus on the practical implementation of climate mitigation through different farming systems. Examples from developed and developing countries are offered, as well as an investigation in a wide range of agroecological zones.
Implementing the Carbon Farming Initiative
The Australian Government's Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) commenced operation on 8 December 2011. To help potential participants understand and assess opportunities to participate in the CFI market, the Carbon Market Institute has launched a practical guide for business.
The guide provides:
- an introduction to the CFI and its key concepts
- details of the roles and responsibilities of the key market participants in the CFI
- a detailed outline of the steps under the CFI, from project inception and design through to project implementation, and issuance of carbon credits
- an outline of market expectations and key issues for market participants on the buying and selling of CFI credits.
View the presentations from the launch or purchase the guide.
Looking for other tools and resources? See our carbon and emissions webpages.
Contact us
If you have any enquiries or anything to contribute to future Network updates, please contact:
Sarah Holland Clift
Senior Project Officer - Carbon Toolkits
Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 103 Geelong VIC 3220
W: (03) 5226 4628 M: 0427 331 627 E: Sarah.Holland-Clift@dpi.vic.gov.au
Please note: I only work Mondays and Tuesdays
