Hear the latest information on the potential impact of carbon and the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme on agriculture at meetings to be held at Henty on Tuesday 14 July and Lockhart on Wednesday 15 July.

The Eastern Riverina Landcare Network is inviting farmers to these free meetings supported by funding from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under its ‘Caring for our Country’ program.

Research Liaison Officer with the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and meeting organiser, Helen Burns, said the program had been developed in consultation with farmers concerned by the mixed messages on the opportunities and challenges for building soil carbon levels.

"Farmers are telling us that they want concise information on how the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme could affect their farm enterprise decisions, and the Eastern Riverina Landcare Network has attracted high profile speakers to focus on just that," she said.

The program opens with an introductory presentation from EH Graham Centre researcher, David Waters, who has delivered NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) carbon awareness seminars throughout NSW.

He will present local data and additional information from major scientists and institutions from Australia and overseas to clarify issues on soil carbon.

Mick Keogh, Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute, will provide an insight into the impact of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme at the farm level.

Mr Keogh is actively involved in the debate over the likely impact of the Scheme on Australian agriculture. His presentation will include an introduction to the FarmGAS Calculator, which has been developed with NSW DPI, funded by the DAFF, under the National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan’s Implementation Program.

Mrs Burns said the FarmGAS Calculator was a tool that enabled farmers to use their own financial and production data to produce a greenhouse emissions profile for their specific farm enterprises, taking into account the impact of management changes.

The Henty meeting will be held at the Henty Community Club, commencing at 9 am and concluding with a light lunch at 12.45 pm. The Lockhart meeting will be held at the Lockhart ex-Servicemen’s Club commencing at 8.30 am and concluding at 12 noon.

Refreshments will be provided at both meetings. To assist with catering, please RSVP to Helen Burns by Tuesday 7 July on (02) 6938 1947 or helen.burns@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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