Wednesday, 13 November 2019 10:55

‘Follow FAO in methane battle’

Written by  Staff Reporters
Nathan Balasingham. Nathan Balasingham.

An Auckland company believes reducing enteric methane through productivity gains is the way to tackle green house gas emissions.

In its submission on the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill, Pukekohe-based Zest Biotech is calling for the Government to follow the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s lead on the issue.

Zest Biotech founder Nathan Balasingham says the biogenic methane reduction plan in the Zero Carbon Amendment Bill could be difficult to manage, but he sees an easier option. 

“Livestock do not emit methane at a constant rate or intensity,” Balasingham said. “The gas comes out both ends and at a variable rate.”

He says lab and chamber based measurement techniques have “serious limitations”.

“Therefore, biogenic methane per se cannot be accurately measured. If we can’t measure it, it is difficult to manage it.”

The model to measure, report and manage emissions intensity has been developed by the FAO, called Gleam. It is compliant with IPCC Tier 2 methodology and ISO standards 14040 and 14044 (ISO, 2006).

Balasingham says this strategy also ensures the other global challenges - poverty alleviation and food security - are also addressed.

“Agricultural emissions should be viewed as valuable resources that are currently being wasted. Methane is energy lost and urea is protein lost (leading to nitrous oxide emissions).

“If we can improve the efficiency of ruminant animals, we will produce more milk and meat and less waste (emissions). We have the technology to reduce emissions intensity and increase ruminant efficiency.”

Balasingham says this means New Zealand could increase milk and meat productivity and achieve a gross reduction in emissions. It could make economic gains and comply with international standards, meeting market demands for ‘low carbon’ produce and meeting our global food security obligations.

Balasingham questions the Government’s rationale behind providing more financial support to Overseer. Instead of funding Overseer, the Government should back FAO’s Gleam, he says.

“We recommend the Government uses Gleam and support the development and implementation of mitigation tools and strategies that will provide real steps toward achieving the Climate Bill targets.

“If we implement the FAO recommended options, our farmers will be economically smart and climate smart farming champions. For every tonne of methane a farmer reduces, 86 tonnes of CO2 is offset. For every tonne of nitrous oxide they reduce, 298 tonnes of CO2 is offset.”

Existing technology

Nathan Balasingham wants the Government to look at existing technology to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

He says Biozest, developed by his company, increases pasture resilience and productivity. When livestock graze the treated pasture, more pasture is converted to milk and meat and less is wasted as methane and urea: more profit, less gas and urea. 

Biozest helps farmers to reduce greenhouse gases and their environmental footprint through productivity gains, in line with the FAO’s recommendations, he says.

He says Biozest can double pasture productivity, as well established in trials.

More like this

Dark ages

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought it wise to run the numbers through the old Casio.

Featured

Editorial: Will big be better?

OPINION: The shakeup to the science sector with the proposed merger of four ag related crown research institutes (CRIs) into one conglomerate has drawn little public reaction.

Co-op boosts chilled exports to China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Expo set to deliver in spades

The countdown is on to be one of the most anticipated events in the sheep and beef industry, the East Coast Farming Expo.

New Summerfruit NZ CEO

Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom at the end of September.

FE survey underway

Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.

National

Synlait sweetens milk supply deal

Canterbury milk processor Synlait is confident of retaining its farmer supplier base following a turnaround in its financial performance.

Optimism in the air

Ag First chief executive James Allen says dairy farmer optimism is on the rise.

Machinery & Products

New distributor for Aussie equipment

Australian agricultural equipment distributor, Waringa Distribution, has increased its support to South Island farmers and contractors with the appointment of…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Bovaer's fate

OPINION: The fate of methane inhibitor Bovaer in NZ farming is still up in the air.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter