New Zealand's traditional pasture-based farming system faces a conundrum, a leading scientist has warned. Pastoral Genomics scientist Michael Dunbier said we were no longer the world's lowest-cost food producer, our pastoral system was a major contributor of greenhouse gases, and customers demanded proof that slogans such as clean and green had some validity reports The ODT. The reality was the our farming systems were contributing methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and nitrate pollution of the soil and waterways. "They are not satisfied with slogans such as free-range or pasture-fed. We need to look carefully at our systems overall," he said. In addition, resources such as phosphate were being depleted and questions were being asked about the efficiency and sustainability of fertiliser use in general. Stephen Goldson, AgResearch's chief scientist and the vice-president of the Royal Society of New Zealand, said pastoral agriculture may have reached the technical limits of production. "The question is, business as usual in agriculture? We may not be able to carry on as we have." Climate change was likely to mean more frequent and more intense droughts, and there would be increased competition from low-cost producers. Dr Dunbier said one angle scientists were looking at was to increase energy levels in forage to improve quality, reduce greenhouse gases and improve production. There was confidence the technology was available to achieve higher energy levels, but at this stage they were unable to manage protein levels in the rumen. By increasing energy levels in forage, inputs were reduced and animal efficiency increased.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.