Map of Ag, the developers behind a platform that connects farm and agrifood data, is urging arable growers to baseline carbon emissions now to start work towards the 2040 net zero targets.
It’s estimated that fewer than 50% of producers have calculated emissions. Jim Flambert, head of sustainability, suggests that confusion over carbon calculators and the variability in results has limited the uptake.
“We will need to achieve our net zero targets or get as close as possible, and the first step on this journey is to calculate an emissions baseline. Without this, we cannot understand the impact of management changes on farm,” he says.
He adds that the Map of Ag software integrates farm software data into emissions calculators, reducing the burden on the grower to enter data and simplifying the process.
However, caution over sharing data remains a challenge in the industry. Map of Ag states that growers remain in control of their data at all times and that the benefits of starting the process can yield immediate results.
“There are low-hanging fruits that farmers can capitalise on early in the process, making initial steps towards net zero both achievable and beneficial,” says Jim.
As an example, artificial fertiliser is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Jim notes that this could equate to nearly 50% of emissions on arable farms and that small steps could reduce this.
He suggests that growers consider:
- Increasing organic matter applications, including crops grown specifically for building soil fertility and structure
- Performing nitrogen rate trials to see if artificial rates can be lowered while maintaining yields
Jim adds that having a living root in the ground for as long as possible throughout the year can aid with carbon sequestration.
“It’s important to view this in the long-term. If you look at it on a 2–3-year basis, you won’t see the trends, but over 5-10 years you will. It’s like investing money in the stock market; you generally need to look at it over time to see the real benefits.”
Concluding, he says that growers should try new things, collaborate and learn, and that carbon credits could be useful once they are universally regulated.
“We are seeing a move away from carbon offsetting to carbon in-setting. This means companies can only take carbon credits from within their supplier or customer base. Outfits like banks are looking at this very closely and aligning themselves with this.
“Generally, farmers are progressive custodians of the countryside and want to make a difference and that is something we can help with,” he adds.