On-farm Carbon Advice Project
The On-Farm Carbon Advice project is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), funded through the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP).
The On-Farm Carbon Advice project is building knowledge and capability of carbon farming practices in NSW extensive beef, sheep, dairy, and mixed farming systems.
The project is increasing awareness and understanding of:
- a changing climate, impacts and global action
- agricultural emissions
- emissions reduction and carbon sequestration strategies
- the pros and cons of carbon farming including market opportunities.
The 4-year On-Farm Carbon Advice project, ending in June 2026, is delivering:
- a range of education and training products for different levels of knowledge e.g. Carbon Farming Fundamentals (½ day introductory workshops for farmers starting their carbon journey), Carbon Farming Masterclasses (specific advanced knowledge delivery), and Regional Forums (large event technical forums)
- a On-farm Carbon Advice online Community of Practice (CommPrac) consisting of a knowledge bank, a webinar series and newsletter (see below)
- Farm Carbon Management Plans for 150 individual enterprises, estimating emissions and carbon farming opportunities
- demonstration sites that showcase emissions reduction and sequestration technologies and practices.
Education and Training
The On-farm Carbon Advice program offer a range of services for farmers. These include:
- Farm Carbon Management Plans
- Carbon Farming Fundamentals workshops
- Know Your On-Farm Emissions Numbers workshops
Farm Carbon Management Plan
The On-Farm Carbon Advice program is offering you the opportunity to obtain a free Farm Carbon Management Plan for your property.
With increasing focus on the carbon footprint of agricultural products driving change in domestic and global markets, a Farm Carbon Management Plan is the first step for livestock farmers in NSW to make informed decisions about carbon farming. These Farm Carbon Management Plans are specifically for extensive beef and sheep, dairy and mixed farming systems.
This 1:1 learning opportunity provides you with:
- How to use an emissions calculator,
- Understanding of farm practices and their impacts to your emissions profile,
- An emissions breakdown for one year,
- Emissions intensities for your products and how you compare with industry benchmarks
- Emissions reduction and sequestration strategies
To be eligible all farm enterprises need to meet the following requirements:
- at least 50% of gross income comes from primary production
- Minimum of 100 cattle or 1000 sheep
- Minimum property size of 100 hectares or 247 acres
Ready for your Farm Carbon Management Plan?
You can get in contact with us directly or fill in the form below.
Email carbon@dpird.nsw.gov.au 📞 Lisa McFadyen: 0447 023 628
Carbon Farming Fundamentals
Learn about on-farm carbon management with NSW Department of Primary Industries On-Farm Carbon Advice Team.This workshop is for 15-25 farmers and designed for extensive beef and sheep, dairy and mixed farming systems. This workshop will introduce carbon farming concepts including:
- terms and definitions
- industry drivers and carbon markets
- sources and sinks of on-farm greenhouse gas emissions
- tools, calculators and how to estimate your on-farm emissions
- current and future strategies to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration
Time: 3.5 hrs
Cost: Free
Know your farm emission numbers
A workshop for a small group (6-8 farm businesses) where you learn how to calculate your emission profiles with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) On-Farm Carbon Advice project. This workshop is specifically designed for extensive beef and sheep, dairy and mixed farming systems.
To be eligible all farm enterprises need to be meet the following requirements:
- at least 50% of gross income comes from primary production
- Minimum of 100 cattle or 1000 sheep
- Minimum property size of 100 hectares or 247 acres
You will learn:
- Why its important to know your farm emissions profile
- How to identify sources of greenhouse gas emissions on your farm.
- The process of measuring, calculating and tracking emissions over time.
- To benchmark against industry averages for your farm enterprise.
- Strategies to reduce on-farm emissions
What you will need to bring:
- Your rates notice with Lot/DP numbers
- Data collection sheet completed and printed out
- A laptop
Time: 3.5 hrs
Cost: Free
Expression of Interest
Complete the EOI form below to show your interest in our program and subscribe to our newsletter.
Community of Practice (CommPrac)
Knowledge Bank
A knowledge bank of resources that supports our Community of Practice (CommPrac)
Webinar Series
An engaging webinar series about low emissions agriculture
Past Newsletters
Project Rationale
Primary industries in NSW operate in one of the most variable climate in the world. Producers are seeing impacts from an already changing climate that is impacting on agricultural productivity, water availability, soil health. Extremes of these weather conditions can lead to droughts, floods, storms, bushfires, and the spread of pests, weeds and diseases.
Primary industries has an opportunity to mitigate against climate change through reducing emissions and sequestering carbon is an contributing to the global efforts to net zero ambitions.
Climate projections indicate that in the future, areas of NSW are likely to face decreasing winter and spring rainfall, increased intensity of extreme rainfall events, increasing day and night temperatures, fewer frosts and harsher fire weather.
New South Wales (NSW) agricultural emissions (excluding on-farm energy and emissions from land clearing) accounted for 18% of total NSW greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. Livestock were responsible for the majority of agricultural emissions, with enteric methane from ruminant livestock being the largest source at 71%. The agriculture sector is one of the most affected by climate change, but is in a unique position, due to its resources, to be a part of the solution to reduce NSW's emissions.
The NSW Government aims to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
To help achieve these climate objectives, the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020 – 2030 outlines how we will reduce emissions. The plan aims to enhance the prosperity and quality of life of the people of NSW while allowing the state to deliver a 50% cut in emissions by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and progress NSW towards net zero by 2050.
The NSW Government is taking important steps to help each of our regions adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The NSW Government's Net Zero Plan, has invested $105 million in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP) to support farmers and land managers to optimise productivity, reduce emissions, and seize new market opportunities.
The On-Farm Carbon Advice program is funded through PIPAP and is a joint initiative between NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
The information provided on this website is of a general nature and does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. Please ensure that you review your own situation, objectives, and requirements and seek professional advice before making any business or financial decisions.