Options to reduce emissions focus on reducing inputs of nitrogen-based fertilisers. Cropping and some horticultural enterprises have lower soil carbon stocks than livestock farms. Management practices aimed at increasing carbon inputs to the soil have demonstrated that maintaining or increasing stocks may be possible in some situations.
Know your number first
Knowing what your greenhouse gas emissions are is the first critical step towards planning for reductions. A recent survey found that only 2% of New Zealand farmers know what their emissions are. Find out more about knowing your number.
Action for growers
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Nitrogen fertiliser
Reducing the use of nitrogen fertiliser is a measurable way of reducing the amount of nitrogen available in the soil to be transformed into nitrous oxide.
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Trees and vegetation
There are many benefits from planting trees or restoring woody vegetation on a farm, including to help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide. However, it's a complex topic.
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Potential actions
Some practices and technologies have been promoted as options to reduce emissions, but research is ongoing to get them into the national greenhouse gas inventory and/or fully demonstrate their efficacy on farm.
Case studies
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Craige Mackenzie, Canterbury
Mid-Canterbury arable and dairy farmer Craige Mackenzie's philosophy is right input, right quantity, right place, right time—which makes sense for his business and for the land, waterways and climate.
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Hugh Ritchie, Hawke's Bay
An emphasis on efficiency improvements and soil health are helping keep greenhouse gas emissions down on Hugh Ritchie's complex arable, livestock and horticulture operation in Hawke's Bay.
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Jay Clarke, Horowhenua
At Woodhaven Gardens near Levin, Jay Clarke and his family have been figuring out how to reduce their vegetable farm's impact on the climate.
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Orete No. 2 and Other Blocks Incorporation, Eastern Bay of Plenty
Farming has long been a way of life for Orete – a Māori Incorporation with 1,500 owners on the tip of the remote East Cape. Te Taiao is at the heart of all they do, including finding ways to keep their agricultural greenhouse gas emissions down.
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The Abbiss family, Manawatū
A passion for innovation has been a common thread through four generations of farmers on the Abbiss' property near Halcombe. Now they're turning their attention to how they might reduce their impact on the climate.
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Robin Oakley, Canterbury
Fifth generation farmer, Robin Oakley, has been growing vegetables in Canterbury since he was a kid and now supplies supermarkets around the country. His family is committed to sustainable farming and is starting to think about what that means for the climate.
More information
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Know your numbers
By 2025, all farmers and growers will need to know what their farm's greenhouse gas emissions are and have a plan in place to manage them.
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Reduce nitrous oxide emissions
The Government has set a target of reducing nitrous oxide emissions to net zero by 2050, meaning on-farm action is critical.
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Maintain or increase soil carbon
Many farmers are looking for ways to maintain or increase their soil carbon stocks to help improve farm productivity and, potentially, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
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Trees and vegetation
There are many benefits from planting trees or restoring woody vegetation on a farm, including to help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide. However, it's a complex topic.