New thinking needed to cut farming's carbon emissions

Published Date: 07 November 2008
By Dan Buglass
Rural affairs editor

FARMERS have recently been in the firing line over their contributions to global warming and carbon emissions.
The UK government has set a hugely ambitious target of cutting carbon-related emissions by 80 per cent in 2050 from the 1990 levels. It can be done, according to James Graham, the chief executive of the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS), the organisation that supervises the 80-plus rural cooperatives in Scotland, which have a collective turnover of about £1 billion.Speaking yesterday in Carnoustie at the annual SAOS conference, Graham said: "Many in the industry are questioning whether we can both increase production to feed a growing global population, whilst at the same time reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture."The work we have done over the last two years helps to demonstrate that a green, science-based approach to business is also a profitable route, and one that actually increase production."Dr Andrew Moxey a widely respected economist and analyst, gave a concise breakdown of just what farming contributes to a wide range of emissions. He said: "Methane from livestock accounts for at least 20 per cent, while nitrous oxide from fertiliser adds up to 26 per cent. But carbon dioxide from ploughing up grassland is the major contributor on 45 per cent."These figures have prompted many environmental proponents to argue that livestock farming should be massively reduced in order to save the planet. Only last week Michael Appelby, who has recently been appointed as a visiting professor in animal welfare with the Scottish Agricultural College, caused something of a stir in the farming community before an invited audience in Edinburgh.He said: "The livestock sector is responsible for 18 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, but the problem is really created by the systems we use and we have to think about that carefully."Appelby went on to suggest that meat eating should become more of a "special event" as livestock already use a vast proportion on the world's resources. He added that he could see no logical reason for increasing the production of cattle, sheep and goats and that many of the current problems could be resolved through better management and enhanced levels of animal welfare.Graham clearly had some of those comments in mind when he cited several positive Scottish examples of a decidedly pro-active mood.He said: "First Milk, the largest dairy co-op in the UK, has worked with its farmer members to develop new cow diets that have raised yields by 15 per cent and cut methane emissions by approximately 20 per cent."We are also working with Angus Cereals – a new grain co-op, which is planning a £14 million grain processing centre next to Glencore Maltings at Glenesk. The group estimates a reduction of three million haulage miles, and reduced fuel use in grain drying, thanks to state-of-the-art equipment. "A carbon trust network project carried out by SAOS has also made it clear that the provision of precision farming equipment and expertise through machinery rings has the potential to both reduce fertiliser waste and the related emissions, whilst increasing financial productivity."On a less contentious note Brian Pack, who is to stand down as chief executive of the Inverurie-based ANM Group which posted an operating profit of £1.7 million, was presented with the prestigious Ed Rainy Brown Award for services to the agricultural industry.Rainy Brown, who died in 2003, was the chief executive of SAOS before moving on to take up a similar post with NFU Scotland.Jim McLaren, the president of NFUS, said: "Brian Pack is a towering figure in the Scottish agricultural sector. In the past 18 years he has been the driving force behind the ANM Group and its development into one of the largest and most progressive farmer-owned businesses in the UK