Early Bird I Monday July 1st 2024

Agriculture Minister will accept advice from methane panel, deferred grazing touted during current economic climate, and invasive grass taking over productive land in South Canterbury. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Agriculture Minister will accept advice from methane panel Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will accept the advice of a newly established panel tasked with setting softer methane emission reduction targets for farmers and the waste sector.  The five appointed scientists will review methane science and the 2050 climate targets to propose a new target that would prevent worsening global warming relative to 2017 levels. The Coalition Government is concerned that asking farmers to reduce emissions over the next 25 years could lead to farm closures and shift food production overseas. Therefore, it has tasked the panel with developing a target that would maintain 2017 methane levels. Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton has previously criticised this approach, suggesting it allows the agricultural sector to claim a right to a certain level of warming indefinitely. Research from 2018 indicated that methane emissions would need to be reduced by 14% to 27% to halt warming at 2016 levels, less stringent than the current 47% reduction target. Minister McClay has expressed his belief that New Zealand's targets should align with the "no additional warming" principle and indicated that the panel's recommendations would be adopted. It is unlikely that the panel will recommend similar or stricter reduction targets given the "no additional warming" concept. This approach would contradict the Climate Change Commission, which reported in April that there is no evidence supporting weaker targets. The commission warned that adopting a no additional warming approach for methane would necessitate stronger targets in other sectors or accepting more warming. McClay’s commitment to accept the panel's advice contrasts with Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, who stated that the review's findings would not necessarily be adopted, emphasising that the recommendations would inform but not dictate policy decisions. The panel, chaired by Nicola Shadbolt, includes Dave Frame, a physics professor advocating for lower methane targets, and Bill Collins, a climate processes professor who has emphasised the importance of reducing methane emissions to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher, a principal scientist at NIWA, has argued for reducing methane emissions to prevent near-term warming. The final panel member, Laura Revell, an associate professor at the University of Canterbury, has not publicly commented on the issue. Not all farmers support review panel Meanwhile,  not all farmers are happy with the new panel set up by the Government. Gore sheep and beef farmer Hugh Gardyne has criticised the Government, claiming that appointing five academics and a secretariat comprised solely of ministry personnel is "astonishing and potentially self-serving." In an email copied to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, Gardyne argues that the panel's selection overlooks the valuable contributions that could come from a broader cross-section of New Zealand. He believes the Methane Science Accord, a group established by farmers advocating for zero taxing of ruminant methane, should also be represented on the panel. Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government's announcement, with president Wayne Langford noting that they have opposed the targets from the beginning.  Deferred grazing touted during current economic climate In the current economic climate affecting farmers, Dr. Katherine Tozer from AgResearch is  advocating for deferred grazing as a potential solution. Although not a new concept, it has garnered renewed interest and support from organisations like DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ. Deferred grazing involves temporarily resting or reducing grazing on a portion of pasture from mid to late spring through late summer. For dairy farms, this might mean up to 10% of their pasture, with sheep and beef operations potentially extending this based on available feed and water. The primary objective is to enhance pasture quality by allowing it to regenerate naturally, often supplemented by overseeding with selected grass species such as plantain. A concern raised about deferred grazing is the risk of facial eczema due to dead grass where fungal spores can thrive. However, Dr Tozer's research suggests that spore counts in deferred grazing pastures are notably lower compared to conventional setups, hinting at potential disease management benefits. Dr Tozer advises farmers to start with small-scale trials of deferred grazing to gauge its suitability for their specific conditions.  MPI report shows new forestry planting could drop dramatically Next year, the area set for new forestry planting in New Zealand could drop by 41%, marking the first decline since 2019. This decrease, reported by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), follows challenges including the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle and adjustments to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) by the government. However, MPI's latest survey suggests that only 68,500 hectares was planted in 2023. Forecasts for this year indicate 51,800 hectares, with Radiata pine expected to dominate these plantings, accounting for nearly 90% of the total. Planned mānuka planting has decreased due to lower mānuka honey prices, with 2,100 hectares earmarked for 2024 planting, down from 3,500 hectares in the previous year and 2,800 hectares in 2022. Another MPI survey on seed stock production reveals that 113,000 hectares, mostly in Pinus radiata, were planted last winter for both new plantings and replanting harvested areas in 2023. Uncertainties surrounding ETS policies, delays in Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approvals for foreign investors, local regulatory challenges, and issues with obtaining resource consents have all contributed to dampened expectations for 2024 plantings, as noted by the MPI afforestation survey. Meanwhile, log and timber prices remain stagnant as the industry navigates rising shipping costs and fluctuations in exchange rates. The MPI conducted its survey late in 2023, during which NZ Unit prices ranged from $60 to $75 per unit. Currently, spot prices fluctuate between $45 and $50 per unit, with recent carbon auctions failing to attract bids. Invasive grass taking over productive land in South Canterbury In South Canterbury, Environment Canterbury (ECan) is increasingly concerned about the spread of an invasive grass species known as nassella tussock. This troublesome plant has established itself at approximately 54 sites across the region, covering up to 35 hectares of productive land in dense infestations. Nassella tussock is a perennial grass characterised by fibrous roots and small oval seeds, growing up to one metre tall. Its rapid spread displaces native grasses, rendering pastures unpalatable to livestock. ECan's senior biosecurity officer, Noel Crump, emphasised the importance of community involvement in their efforts to manage nassella tussock. He says that due to the expansive nature of South Canterbury's land, their surveillance programs rely heavily on local knowledge and reports. The regional council is urging vigilance from landowners, stock agents, and the agricultural community to report any sightings of unusual plant growth, particularly large tussocks with purple-pink flowers observed between. The proactive involvement of locals is seen as crucial in containing and managing the spread of nassella tussock, safeguarding South Canterbury's agricultural and environmental landscapes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.