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Future-ready low emissions farming

Explore real Kiwi farm stories, practical actions and science-backed information to help farmers and rural professionals build resilient, productive farm businesses.

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Stocking rate and performance

Small changes to stocking rates, feed use and animal performance can improve efficiency while maintaining productivity. On some farms, fine-tuning the farm system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%.

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Trees and vegetation

Planting trees or restoring native vegetation can deliver a range of on-farm benefits, from shelter and erosion control to biodiversity and carbon storage. For some farmers, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) may also provide an additional income stream, although the process can be complex.

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Nitrogen fertiliser

For some farms, reducing nitrogen use or applying it more strategically can lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce costs without significantly affecting production. The right approach will depend on your soils, climate and farm system.

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Stocking rate and performance

Small changes to stocking rates, feed use and animal performance can improve efficiency while maintaining productivity. On some farms, fine-tuning the farm system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%.

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Low-emission feeds

Research is showing that feed choices may help reduce emissions while still supporting good production and animal performance. What works will depend on your farm system, feed availability and economics.

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Nitrogen fertiliser

For some farms, reducing nitrogen use or applying it more strategically can lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce costs without significantly affecting production. The right approach will depend on your soils, climate and farm system.

Take action

Stocking rate and performance

Small changes to stocking rates, feed use and animal performance can improve efficiency while maintaining productivity. On some farms, fine-tuning the farm system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%.

Take action

Efficiency improvements

Efficient farm systems often produce fewer emissions per unit of product. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but improving resource use can support productivity and long-term resilience.

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Once-a-day milking

For some farms, once-a-day milking can help lower operating costs while reducing emissions. Results will depend on factors such as production levels, labour savings and how it fits within the wider farm system.

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Nitrogen fertiliser

For some farms, reducing nitrogen use or applying it more strategically can lower nitrous oxide emissions and reduce costs without significantly affecting production. The right approach will depend on your soils, climate and farm system.

Take action

Trees and vegetation

Planting trees or restoring native vegetation can deliver a range of on-farm benefits, from shelter and erosion control to biodiversity and carbon storage. For some farmers, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) may also provide an additional income stream, although the process can be complex.

Take action

Soil carbon

Maintaining soil carbon can support healthy soils, resilient farm systems and long-term productivity. Research is helping identify which practices work best under New Zealand conditions.

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From the paddock

The Long Game: Farming for Future Generations

From the paddock

The Long Game: Farming for Future Generations

Taking a long-term approach to farming, the five iwi behind Pouarua Farms have reshaped the farm system to better reflect the needs of the whenua, future generations and the realities of farming on peat soils.

On-farm successes:

• 14% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2018

• Up to 100% increase in profitability in some blocks

• 350 fewer cows with improved per-cow production

• Diversified into blueberries, dairy beef and cropping

Read the full story

From the paddock

Playing the long game in a changing climate

From the paddock

Playing the long game in a changing climate

For Emma and Kyle at Puketoi Station in Central Otago, adapting to climate change is less about chasing perfection and more about making practical changes that future-proof the farm. Through lower nitrogen use, reduced winter cropping, smarter stocking decisions and improved per-animal performance, they’ve reduced greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the farm’s financial sustainability.

On-farm successes:

• Reduced nutrient losses

• 10% reduction in nitrous oxide emissions

• Total methane emissions down by 4%

• Increased flexibility and resilience in the system

• Easier to maintain ewe condition all year round

Read the full story

Farmers across New Zealand

View all case studies

View all case studies

Playing the long game in a changing climate

Playing the long game in a changing climate

For Emma and Kyle at Puketoi Station in Central Otago, adapting to climate change is less about chasing perfection and more about making practical changes that future-proof the farm.

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

The Abbiss family has spent decades refining a farming system focused on soil health, efficiency and continuous improvement. Constant fine-tuning is helping them strengthen the farm for the future.

Less stock. Better performance. Lower net emissions

Less stock. Better performance. Lower net emissions

Through mānuka planting, system optimisation and strategic land retirement, the Tripe family is reshaping Oxton Farm for long-term environmental and financial sustainability.

View all Sheep & beef case studies

Less stock. Better performance. Lower net emissions

Less stock. Better performance. Lower net emissions

Through mānuka planting, system optimisation and strategic land retirement, the Tripe family is reshaping Oxton Farm for long-term environmental and financial sustainability.

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

The Abbiss family has spent decades refining a farming system focused on soil health, efficiency and continuous improvement. Constant fine-tuning is helping them strengthen the farm for the future.

Reducing emissions without sacrificing profitability

Reducing emissions without sacrificing profitability

At Castlepoint Station, a focus on efficiency, targeted fertiliser use and improved animal performance has helped reduce net emissions while maintaining a productive farming business.

View all Dairy case studies

Finding the sweet spot between profit and planet

Finding the sweet spot between profit and planet

Waikato dairy farmers George and Sharon Moss are using emissions and profitability data to guide farm decisions, reducing nitrogen use, lowering emissions and improving efficiency without losing sight of the bottom line.

Four small changes across the system. Big gains over time.

Four small changes across the system. Big gains over time.

By reducing nitrogen fertiliser use, lowering stocking rates, minimising cultivation and investing in precision irrigation and wetlands, Kaiwaiwai Dairies achieved a 14% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2017 to 2023.

Small efficiency gains that added up to big changes

Small efficiency gains that added up to big changes

For Dion Gordon, lower emissions have come from doing the basics well — improving feed utilisation, genetics, reducing imported feed and lowering nitrogen use. The result is a more resilient dairy system that is better prepared for the future.

View all Cropping and horticulture case studies

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

Four generations of innovation, with an eye on the future

The Abbiss family has spent decades refining a farming system focused on soil health, efficiency and continuous improvement. Constant fine-tuning is helping them strengthen the farm for the future.

Farming with whakapapa and the future in mind

Farming with whakapapa and the future in mind

At Orete, practical farm changes, lower nitrogen use and diversified land use are helping build a more resilient, lower-emissions future for the whenua, waterways and future generations connected to the land.

Growing more with less environmental impact

Growing more with less environmental impact

At Woodhaven Gardens, Jay Clarke has nearly halved fertiliser use through precision agriculture, soil testing and improved crop management. The changes have significantly reduced emissions while supporting a more efficient growing system.

Practical goals farmers are exploring

Future-ready farms are finding practical ways to improve performance while reducing agricultural emissions. Across New Zealand, farmers are taking action to build productive, resilient farm systems that respond to climate change.

View all goals

Animal performance and reducing methane

Many actions that improve animal efficiency can also help reduce methane emissions while supporting productive farm systems.

Nitrogen use and nitrous oxide

Using nitrogen efficiently can help reduce nitrous oxide emissions while supporting productivity and input efficiency.

Soil health and carbon

Healthy soils support pasture resilience, productivity and long-term farm performance. Research is helping build understanding of what works under NZ conditions.

Understanding your farm’s emissions – without the jargon

Build a clearer picture of the greenhouse gas emissions linked to your farm system, including stock, feed and fertiliser inputs, with this handy emissions calculator.

Not sure where to start?

Get your head around climate change basics first
Understand where emissions come from on your farm
Or jump straight into the emissions calculator.

Use the emissions calculator

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