Forum to discuss carbon solutions for farms

A MAJOR forum in Winchelsea this month will discuss the complex issues of on-farm methane emissions and carbon trading.

The Understanding Carbon on Farms Forum will bring together experts at the Winchelsea Hub to discuss these topics and answer farmers’ questions.

Surf Coast and Inland Plains Landcare Network and Upper Barwon Landcare Network have compiled the program.

It includes:

• Ag Victoria Climate specialist Graeme Anderson, who will discuss making sense of carbon on farms
• MLA Environmental sustainability Program manager Margaret Jewell looking at the red meat industry, grazing management and global food security
• University of Melbourne Professor Bill Malcolm and PhD candidate Jonathan Jenkin, who will address the economics of on-farm emissions
• Southern Farming Systems specialist Lisa Miller on soils, pasture and livestock
• Industry leading farmer Andrew Stewart will share his experience running a carbon neutral livestock and agroforestry operation, and
• Soils For Life chief executive officer Eli Court, will look at the risks of getting stuck in carbon “tunnel vision”, and the benefits of holistic approaches to landscape management and the carbon space.

The all-day event will be facilitated by Ed Gannon, director of Media Means and former editor of The Weekly Times, who will also discuss how media handles carbon reporting and public attitudes to carbon emissions and farming.

According to Murray Johns, one of the forum’s organisers, Meat and Livestock Australia’s goal of making the livestock sector carbon neutral by 2030 was the impetus for the forum and subsequent future on-farm workshops.

“That sounds great, but what does it mean and how do I get there?” Mr Johns, who is Surf Coast and Inland Plains Landcare facilitator and also a sheep and beef farmer, said.

He said the aim of the day was to counter much of the conflicting information about carbon emissions, so attendees could leave the forum armed with a greater understanding of methane on their farms and what direction they want to take with their operations.

Topics will include carbon trading, and the pitfalls farmers may find when dealing with a new band of carbon entrepreneurs.

“But it will not be all bad, as the forum will highlight the benefits of a carbon future for farmers,” Mr Johns said.

A question-and-answer session will be held after lunch, along with an interactive expert panel focusing on localised solutions and discussing the importance of looking beyond carbon sequestration in the farming sector, towards a holistic approach to managing landscape functionality and resilient farming businesses.

The Landcare networks are also planning on-farm ‘deep dive’ workshops across March, April and May on soils and livestock management, the use of trees, and energy use.

The Understanding Carbon on Farms Forum will be held at the Winchelsea Hub, Eastern Reserve, Winchelsea on February 16 from 9am-4pm.

Tickets are $25, which includes morning tea and lunch.

For more information or to book, head to events.humanitix.com/understanding-carbon-on-farms-towards-carbon-neutral/tickets