Livestock emissions

Our preferred future

Increasing improvement in the GHG emissions intensity of livestock production in kg CO2e/kg of product and be more efficient than our leading global competitors.

Minimum 80% of grazing production lands in B condition or better as defined in the ABCD Land Condition Framework.

How we will work together

Led by industry, supported by government

• Benchmark the greenhouse gas intensity of Queensland’s major livestock commodities against the world.
• Invest in and support research, commercialisation and adoption of novel forages and dietary supplements that reduce methane production in the red meat and dairy industries.
• Support businesses to achieve climate-neutral verification.
• Investigate and raise awareness of First Nations’ rangelands management techniques that can be incorporated into grazing management systems.
• Find a platform for producers to get information and decision-support tools for low emissions practices and technologies.

Led by government, supported by industry

• Deliver low-emissions production systems education and training programs to agricultural producers and service providers.
• Work with the Australian Government and international market partners to develop low-emissions trade policies.

What you can do now

• Watch for methane reduction stock feed developments and the cost-effectiveness of reducing herd/flock.
• Introduce methane reduction stock feeds and supplements when commercially available.
• Keep track of emissions with calculators, factoring in reduction credits.
• Adopt breeder selection, herd/flock management and manure management practices that lead to a reduction in emissions.
• Undertake an enterprise-level emissions footprint analysis to establish your baseline and areas of emissions reduction to focus on.
• Be aware of domestic and export market trends and policy signals relating to product marketability and business sustainability credentials.
• Maintain awareness of and incorporate First Nations’ rangelands management techniques that lower grazing emissions.
• Explore opportunities for carbon-neutral verification.

Case study

Australian Agricultural Company is tackling emissions head on

Australian Agricultural Company or AACo is delivering a range of practices to reduce emissions.

AACo is working with Sea Forest, Meat & Livestock Australia, the University of New England and The University of Queensland to fast track the development of the red algae Asparagopsis as a feed additive for commercial application to reduce methane emissions from long-fed cattle in feedlots, starting with an in-situ trial of 80 cattle.

This is the first time Asparagopsis has been tested in long-fed cattle such as Wagyu. This is the essential first step in taking this ground-breaking science from research to real-world application at scale, with results expected in the first half of 2023.

Work is also underway to drive carbon sequestration in our landscape by developing an industry leading method for measuring, managing and forecasting soil carbon sequestration by satellite that will bring down the cost barrier for participation in soil carbon markets.

For three years, AACo has also registered activities under the Emissions Reduction Fund Beef Cattle Herd Management methodology. Herd-management projects can reduce the emissions intensity of beef cattle production by reducing cattle emissions per kilogram of liveweight produced.

Example activities under the methodology include:

• improving cattle productivity
• reducing the average age of a herd
• reducing the proportion of unproductive animals in the herd
• changing the number of animals in each livestock class in the herd.

In 2022, AACo achieved 87,427 tonnes of CO2 equivalent carbon abatement under this method.

AACo is also focused on reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, committing to converting all diesel-powered bores to solar power by 2024, improving the efficiency of its fleet of vehicles, and developing a roadmap for the transition to renewable energy for all stations.

AACo’s ongoing commitment to better understand and reduce its carbon emissions is detailed in the Sustainability Report 2022.

Future priority focus areas for livestock

The agriculture industry is actively working to reduce its carbon emissions. You can find more details about the programs run by both the industry and the government in our implementation plan.

The Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap Stakeholder Advisory Committee has identified areas that require extra attention to achieve the roadmap's goals.

Short to medium term delivery

• Improved understanding of carbon cycling and loss pathways for key greenhouse gas inputs
• Cost–benefit and feasibility analyses for emissions reduction technologies

Medium to long term delivery

• Lifecycle assessments and global benchmarking of key products/commodities—and feeding of these into trade policy/accreditation
• Rangeland delivery mechanisms for methane-suppressing dietary supplements
• Accelerated commercialisation of new and proven technology

Ongoing delivery

• First Nations partnerships
• Cross-sectoral partnerships
• Accelerated and coordinated extension effort, both face to face and using online resources