The benefits of methane

South Gippsland Sentinel Times
Tuesday 12/2/2008 Page: 41

EVEN climate change has a silver lining - if farmers are given the right information and support to find it. That was the view ex pressed by many participants who attended a field day held at Krowera last week. Hosted by dairy farmers Andy and Dianna Thomas, the field day looked at strategies for reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and improving water efficiency, and the opportunities for improving profitability.

Organised as part of the Future Foods and Fibre Project and the Western Port Greenhouse Action and Resource Efficiency Project, the field day encouraged farmers to view energy and nutrients lost in the form of greenhouse gas emissions, as costs to their business - and greenhouse gas reductions as savings.

"Methane, which accounts for most dairy and beef farm emissions, is a very high form of energy," said Moragh Mackay, from the Bass Coast Landcare Network. "Cows that produce high levels of methane are also losing high amounts of energy, which results in lower milk production. "At the same time, research shows that improving the quality of the herd's feed results in less methane production - while also resulting in better milk production." While Moragh was looking at methane as a cost, others speakers saw it as a potential source of profit.

Greenhouse gas auditor Geoff Andrews, who carried out a preliminary audit of the Thomas's farm as part of the Western Port Greenhouse project, described how methane digesters are used in many US dairies to generate electricity. "There's a lot of research being done here to discover how we can modify the digesters for pasture-based operations," Geoff said.

It shouldn't be too long before we begin to see methane digesters on Australian dairy farms.- In the meantime, Geoff discussed several strategies that dairy farmers can implement now, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and save money. They ranged from the extremely simple (checking that all equipment is properly set up and running efficiently), to cooling towers, night sky cooling, and looking at alternative energy such as solar and wind power.

Geoff urged farmers to monitor their energy use, so that they understand when, where and how they're using their energy. This will help farmers make the best decisions for their business - and ensure they get the most energy savings for their money.. Another speaker who stressed the importance of farmers quantifying their resource use and needs was the DPTs Barrie Bradshaw. "Many farmers have no idea how much water they actually need, until they run out," he said.

By then its too late to work out how to fix the problem." Barrie encouraged farmers to think outside the square when managing their effluent, by including it in the whole farm system as a resource. Not only are effluent ponds a potential source of energy and fertiliser, they may also support alternative profit making ventures, such as aquaculture.

The field day was also an opportunity for Bass Coast Landcare to outline its new "less prescriptive" approach to its funding programs, including the Land Stewardship program. This trial program will look at ways in which farmers can quantify the benefits they are delivering to the ecosystem, and includes environmental best management training for participants.

Participation at the field day was higher than expected, and demonstrated to organisers the interest that farmers and service providers have in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water efficiency.

For more information about funding opportunities, programs (including Land Stewardship) and other training activities designed to help farmers make a profit out of climate change, please contact Moragh Mackay on 5678 2335 or 0438 702 240, or Jenny O'Sullivan on the Future Foods and Fibre project 5663 2386, 0427 086 087 or at osulliva@dcsi.net.au.