A Carbon Accounting for Sheep Producers pilot workshop was hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recently to assist sheep producers to calculate the amount of carbon emissions from their livestock.
Leading carbon adviser Dr Stephen Wiedemann facilitated the workshop, which was supported by Meat and Livestock Australia.
Six broadacre sheep producers from throughout the agricultural region participated in the pilot, which is to be refined before it is extended to other producers later in the year.
DPIRD senior development officer Mandy Curnow said there was increasing interest from livestock producers in gaining a better understanding of the amount of carbon emissions from their livestock and properties.
“Livestock is regarded as the biggest producer of agricultural carbon emissions, accounting for 70 to 80 per cent of total Australian farm emissions,” she said.
“Producers are keen to be able to calculate what the level of emissions are from both their stock and their overall business to better understand their operation.
“From there they will be able to assess options – be it mitigation strategies or opportunities to pursue target markets, as well as support social licence endeavours.”
The pilot workshop participants used the University of Melbourne’s calculator to calculate the emissions from their livestock.
The gathering was shown various case studies that show sheep meat emissions average seven to nine kilograms of carbon equivalents per kilogram of lamb and approximately 22 kilograms of carbon equivalents per kilogram of wool.
The department is working closely with MLA, industry, academia and supply chain stakeholders and investing in research and development to ensure WA is abreast of advances in this rapidly changing environment.
Director General Ralph Addis said DPIRD was committed to leading by example and driving work across the department to enable WA’s primary industries and regions to adapt to a changing climate and create a strong and dynamic future.
“The department has done a lot of good R&D in this space for many years,” Mr Addis said.
“We are in a position to harness and build on that work and contribute to the development of strategies, policy and tools going forward that will assist our State to grow and thrive.
“It is essential we work together to continue to adapt to changes in our climate, which we have been experiencing for more than 30 years.
“Having a transparent approach to addressing climate change will ensure our primary industries and regions have the credentials required to do business locally, nationally and internationally now and into the future.”
More Carbon Accounting for Sheep Producers workshops are planned for the northern and southern agricultural areas during the year.
To register your interest contact Mandy Curnow on +61 (0)8 9892 8422 or mandy.curnow@dpird.wa.gov.au
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