Emissions Reduction Fund Opportunities for cattle producers

Transcription

1 Emissions Reduction Fund Opportunities for cattle producers

2 Opportunities for cattle producers Cattle producers can run projects under the ERF Two specific methods: Feeding nitrates to beef cattle Beef cattle herd management (in development) Other methods may also be used: farm forestry, soil carbon, avoided clearing of native regrowth etc.

3 Feeding nitrates to beef cattle Credits reductions in enteric methane Partially or full replacing urea supplements with nitrate supplements Lick blocks Pasture-fed herds of beef cattle (feedlots excluded).

4 Running a project Pasture protein content is insufficient to meet cattle s needs. In southern Australia, tends to be in Autumn prior to rains or under drought conditions Projects are associated with the land, not the cattle area/s must have been used to feed cattle urea supplements at least once in the previous five years Nitrate supplementation period Begins when one or more lick blocks made available. Ends when all nitrate lick blocks are removed or entirely consumed. First two weeks adaptation period with lower nitrate rate

5 How are reductions estimated? The Beef Nitrates calculator: used for each nitrate supplementation period for each area Region Number of cattle in each livestock class Average liveweight for each livestock class Opening and closing stock of nitrate lick blocks

6 Possible abatement Herd size and number of days of nitrate supplementation are the key drivers of abatement. Higher nitrate pastures will result in less creditable abatement because nitrate feeding rate has to be reduced. An estimate:180 days per year of a reasonable supplementation rate, on 35,000 head achieves reductions around 2,000 tonnes CO 2 -e per year This method in Sth Aust is suited to aggregation

7 Herd Management - In Development Credits earned by increasing LW gain at a quicker rate & reduced herd age, herd structure, losses etc. Better productivity from the herd at sustainable stocking rates Both new or refined/intensified management actions are accepted.

8 Running a project Reducing the average number of days from birth to slaughter supplementation, more or better pasture improvement, better genetics Reducing average age of the herd greater culling for age, improved heifer performance Reducing unproductive animals adopt pregnancy testing, use estimated breeding value of bulls Changing livestock classes move to more turnover stock, increase weaning percentage to reduce breeders Only ineligible action is urea or nitrate feeding

9 Running a project Any beef producer in Australia feeding cattle with more than 50% pasture Data required for historical 3 year period and project period - livestock numbers by cattle class -LW and LWG from a range of methods (not just scales) - approximate calving dates - branding numbers and dates - weaning numbers and dates - purchases and sales

10 How are reductions estimated? A 3 year historical emissions period including data on herd numbers/classes, LW and LWG and time Credits the reduction in total emissions from adopting new practices that reduce intensity Uses a Herd management calculator Project boundary is a set of business records and inventory defining the herd ( e.g. Tax records) Expect much higher credits than previous livestock methods - Between t CO 2 -e/adult equivalent animal per year: approx ,000 head to reach 2000 t CO 2 -e per year.

11 Can I run both projects at the same time? Probably, but be aware of complexity Would require two distinct ERF projects Nitrates Project is based on area Credits reduction in enteric emissions for supp periods with specific emissions factors Herd management Project is herd based Credits reduction in emissions of a herd using standard emissions factors

12 Summary There are opportunities for cattle producers under the ERF Feeding nitrates to beef cattle available for use now - replacing urea supplements with nitrates Herd management in development - better productivity from existing herd or changing herd structure

13 Questions?