Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program
In the Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program (RELRP) major research groups in Australia, with expertise in the science of rumen biology and livestock management, are collaborating to develop practical on-farm options for reducing methane emissions from livestock while at the same time increasing productivity. In addition research is being undertaken to develop technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from animal waste in feedlots. Find out more.
Helping beef production enterprises in northern Australia adapt to climate change
The beef industry in northern Australia is sensitive to significant climate change because of the direct influences climate has on production, reproduction, animal health and welfare, input costs, product prices and natural resource condition and management. This project will identify and evaluate grazing management and related practices for beef enterprises in northern Australia, to assist them in building resilience and to adapt to a changing and more variable climate.
Climate change adaptation in southern Australian livestock program
If livestock farmers are to be able to adapt to the predicted levels of climate change, higher temperatures and lower rainfalls in southern Australia they will need to be equipped with knowledge and tools to make the best decisions. This project will model climate change impacts on pasture growth and quality and engage with producers to understand response strategies for each agri-climatic region of southern Australia.
Carbon balance on the farm
Livestock farmers are interested in understanding the carbon balance of their farm. That is they want to know how the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by soil, trees and other vegetation on their farm compares with the amount of greenhouse gases emitted. A number of properties are being used as case studies to help farmers understand how big an area of tree plantings would be needed to offset the emissions from their animals.
Understanding soil carbon in rangelands
There has been a lot of confusing and contradictory reporting about the ability of soil to store carbon, but little scientific data to assess the real opportunities and risks for livestock producers. This project aims to provide information to farmers that are interested in the potential to build soil carbon levels. A tool is being developed to credibly estimate soil carbon stocks and the changes for different grazing practices in northern Australia. This tool will provide reliable information for producers considering entering into a voluntary offsets market and will also be linked to the national soil carbon datasets being developed by CSIRO. This information will also assist the industry develop a policy position on agricultural soil carbon.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method to analyse resource uses and emissions across the life cycle of a product. It can systematically identify key areas to improve environmental and economic performance and can be applied to agricultural systems. A study by the University of New South Wales provided the first accurate data on life cycle environmental impacts of beef and lamb red meat supply chains in southern Australia. Two beef production systems in Northern Australia are now being analysed in a new LCA study. The results for Australian systems will provide accurate data to replace the often-quoted values for northern hemisphere supply chains that often involve long periods of feeding on irrigated grain or soy products rather than our largely grass-fed production with short finishing on broadacre grain feeds.
Managing climate variability program
The program aims to:
- Improve forecasting accuracy, lead-time and ease of use
- Provide farmers with tools and services for managing climate risk
- Increase adoption of climate risk management on farms.