OFCA Newsletter - December 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, our On-Farm Carbon Advice team has been busy attending conferences, hosting field days and delivering demonstrations across NSW. These demonstrations are a key deliverable of the On-Farm Carbon Advice project and showcase practical strategies farmers can use to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Events
September - Trangie Livestock Field day
We showcased DPIRD research on methane measurement, and strategies to reduce livestock emissions in grazing systems including beef and sheep.
October - Cudal and Wagga Wagga
At Cudal, we hosted a farm walk looking at a multi-species paddock using brassicas/vetch.
Later in Wagga Wagga, our low emissions field day highlighted enhanced efficiency fertilisers, nitrous oxide emissions minimisation, feed additive delivery systems and low methane pasture trials.
November - Conferences
We attended the Adapt NSW Conference and the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Conference, advocating for research, development and extension programs to support NSW farmers transition to a low emissions future.
Virtual Demonstration
Missed an event? We’ve recorded several sessions, which will be available in 2026 on the Carbon Farming Community of Practice Knowledge Bank.
Opportunities for farmers
NSW Action Research Network
Grain and cotton growers in the Wagga Wagga and Narrabri regions have an exciting opportunity to participate in upcoming DPIRD trials and demonstration sites.
The NSW Action Research Network is seeking farmers who would like to showcase practical strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Round 1 is open now until 15 December 2025, 12pm AEDT
Innovation and Growth Grants
The NSW Government has established the Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program, with funding of up to $25 million available to support the NSW agriculture sector.
Closes 26 January 2026
Case studies
The On-farm Carbon Advice team is supporting farmers to build their knowledge and confidence around assessing on-farm GHG emissions and carbon farming, by completing a Farm Carbon Management plan. The team has developed videos with two producers talking about what they gained from their Farm Carbon Management Plans. The videos feature:
- Cherilyn McKeever-Bird from Rennie, NSW, a dryland cropping and sheep producer who has been investing in technology for decades to boost efficiency and profitability. Her drive for efficiency ties in with low-emission farming. Cherilyn admits she still has a lot to learn, but there is plenty of support out there for farmers who want to know more.
- Sam and Geoff Pollack from Nangus, NSW, first generation sheep farmers, were encouraged by a consultant years ago to understand their on-farm emissions. They have invested in a pasture program, a draft weigh scale and tag reader system, which helps them understand their lambs liveweight gain to drive productivity. Now, their farm data shows them that their investment in pastures has not only boosted their productivity and provided a quality output, but also lowered their emissions profile.
Know Your Farm's Emissions Profile
Wondering where your farm's greenhouse gas emissions actually come from and how to track them? The On-farm Carbon Advice project creates personalised Farm Carbon Management Plans. This 1:1 learning opportunity provides you with:
- How to use an emissions calculator,
- An emissions breakdown for one year,
- Emissions intensities for your produce
- Understanding of farm practices and their impacts to your emissions profile, and
- Emission reduction and sequestration strategies
With emissions reporting expectations starting to increase in the supply chain, this is an opportunity to learn and get prepared.
Ready for your Farm Carbon Management Plan?
Email to carbon@dpird.nsw.gov.au 📞 Lisa McFadyen: 0447 023 628
Webinar series
Thank you to all those who have attended our webinars this year. We are looking forward to bringing you more content next year. If you missed them, our webinar recordings are now available on our website.
Grazing Management on Soil Organic Carbon
In a recent published study, NSW DPIRD researchers report on findings from a 12-year trial applying different grazing management practices and their impacts on Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks. Their study found an increase in SOC across all treatments, mainly due to land-use change from cropping to permanent pasture. Rotational grazing resulted in improved ground cover, pasture productivity and marginally higher SOC stocks than continuous grazing.
Carbon Farming CommPrac
The Carbon Farming Community of Practice (CommPrac) is your trusted hub for emissions management and carbon farming expertise. Get access to a comprehensive knowledge bank, regular newsletters, and engaging webinars that empower farmers to confidently make informed decisions.
Thank you for being part of the Carbon Farming Community of Practice. Together, we’re building a low-emissions future for NSW agriculture.