Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
Soil's ability to store carbon and contain greenhouse gases could globally limit climate warming, says a University of Sydney expert.
University of Sydney Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Professor of Soil Science Alex McBratney, and colleagues, have published an essay on the topic in The Conversation to coincide with yesterday's global soil focus.
McBratney had many things to say about an international research programme launched by France's agriculture minister called '4 pour mille' or '4 per 1000', a project which sets a target of increasing the amount of carbon-containing organic matter in the world's soils by 0.4% a year.
McBratney says, "The world's soils could be a key ally in the fight to limit global warming to 2°C. Soils' ability to store carbon and contain greenhouse gases could be game-changing in the global effort to limit climate warming.
"Soils are able to store approximately 2.4 trillion tonnes of carbon, making it the largest terrestrial carbon pool. The top two metres of the planet's soils hold four times the amount of carbon stored in all the world's plants.
"The '4 per 1000' target proposed by France's agriculture minister is an ambitious aspiration, but perhaps even more important is the effect this initiative will have on promoting good soil management which will ultimately help to mitigate climate change."
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.