Olivia and Tom Lawson from Paringa Livestock believe the quicker livestock wean and reach slaughter weight, the less methane the animal emits in its lifetime and the better off the environment is.
In addition to nine years spent streamlining their cattle, the genetics suppliers have been practising carbon storage vegetation improvement and grazing methods since 2011.
As well as buying first-class feed-efficient genetics, the Lawsons use a crossbreeding and additive selection system they say is capable of producing 20 per cent more beef per hectare and reducing carbon impact by 38 per cent.
In recognition of their decade-long interest in reducing their farm’s carbon footprint, the Lawsons joined more than 50 other producers in Meat & Livestock Australia’s pilot carbon accounting workshops in 2020.
“I’ve been looking into carbon accounting in more detail in the past 18 months and we’re keen to support the industry goal of achieving carbon neutrality,” Mrs Lawson said.
The Lawsons both have agricultural science degrees and Mrs Lawson recently started a diploma in sustainable agriculture — providing a useful knowledge base as they figure out carbon neutrality.
The Lawsons believe while carbon neutrality is achievable across the whole enterprise, it won’t be easy, and their method of vegetative regeneration and improved genetics is important in delivering carbon neutrality to southern beef producers.
What the Lawsons are doing:
● Buying industry-leading Australian and US genetics, tested for feed efficiency.
● Using Stabilizer composite cattle and the crossing system recommended for them, potentially producing 20 per cent more beef per hectare and reducing carbon impact by 38 per cent.
● Fencing off remnant native trees and replanting around them.
● Fencing off waterways and replacing with local indigenous grasses, shrubs and tree species, with water reticulated to troughs.
● Carbon storage-promoting grazing management.
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