Australian agriculture reduces its carbon footprint

Global warming could have an incredibly detrimental effect on agriculture. Rising temperatures and less predictable rainfall mean that the traditional periods in which the sector registers its highest level of output will become shorter.

Reducing the carbon footprint

Subsequently, it is important for farmers across the country to look to address such issues today, before they are allowed to take hold tomorrow. Fortunately, the beef industry in Australia in particular is making great strides in reducing its carbon footprint.

A recent study commissioned by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) showed that the sector has vastly reduced its environmental impact over the last 30 years.

Water and greenhouse gasses

The amount of water used by the industry has been reduced substantially - by 65 per cent - over the last three decades. Similarly, greenhouse gas emissions have been limited with a total 14 per cent decrease between the research period of 1981-2010.

"[The industry] has quantified performance across water, greenhouse gas emissions, energy and land use and now we also want to look at how we quantify other environmental impacts, like soil health and biodiversity," explained Queensland beef producer Lachlan Hughes.

The good practices of farms that have mainly been centred on productivity and herd management are partly behind the positive figures. While not their original primary purpose, such initiatives have had the dual benefit of reducing environmental impact per kilogram of beef produced.

As the wider sector becomes more sustainable and ultimately more profitable, now is an opportune time for farmers to assess how well their interests are being protected. To that end, Elders Insurance can offer farm insurance policies that cover everything from livestock to outbuildings.