Two big questions need answers

Coalition Member Bob WILSON sent the following message to our Members' Forum (www.carboncoalition@yahoogroups.com)

G'day all,
Haven't seen much action lately, so I thought I might get the ball rolling again. I was talking about Carbon Credits with a friend from the East (NSW) recently, who posed a couple of couple of points about the issue.

1. If we have a system of Carbon Credits introduced, then we will also have Carbon "Debits" as well. His comment was that as a cattle producer I would be up for much more Debit Tax than I would be receiving in Credits!!! Any thoughts?

2. He told me that the Long term Fertilizer Trial at Hamilton (vic) has not shown any major increase in soil C over 30 years. Those involved think that after 40 years it may be measurable. (we ran out of time, so I didn't get to quiz him on the pasture type in that trial, so they may be annuals) Does anyone know?

They are always a bit of a worry , these wise men from the east.......?

Bob

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We responded to Bob's questions:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for posting. I should post more often.

Answering your questions:

1. Carbon Debit Taxes: This has become clear to us just recently. We believe that there is no "If" about manditory limits to greenhouse emissions. It is "When". Australia won't be able to withstand the pressure once the US introduces limits on emissions. Record temperatures in the US this week have put global warming on top of that nation's list of crises. Eventually every business will be given an allocation of tonnes of Carbon it can emit, and if it needs to emit more, it will have to provide "offsets" by sequestering cabon itself (in soil or forests, etc.) or purchase credits from other companies that have sequestered carbon. Agriculture contributes 19% of all greenhouse emissions (compared to transport's 14%). How is it emitted? Ploughing, burning stubble, baring soil by over grazing, applying nitrogenous fertilisers, clearing native vegetation. How is it sequestered? Maintaining groundcover by time controlled grazing, minimum/no tillage, pasture cropping, encouraging grassy woodland, applying natural fertilisers, Natural Sequence Farming (leaky weirs, etc.) So farmers who do not earn carbon credits will have no other means of offsetting their carbon debits than putting their hands in their pockets. As for the assertion that you'll pay more than you'll get, how can anyone know that? Cattle emit methane from manure... We reported on US dairy farmers who are actually earning credits for using manure digesters. Bob, there are so many opportunities opening up with this issue, anyone who sprouts long term predictions is in need of a digester.

2. I don't know the facts of the Hamilton fertliser trial, but I can say this with confidence: Traditional nitrogenous fertiliser does not contribute to carbon. In fact it can deplete it. A 40-year trial can only be using traditional soil management techniques. These are carbon depleting. Under the regime being studied, many Australian soils have lost more that half their organic matter in 15 to 20 years. Soil carbon levels cannot be 'grown' using conventional farming techniques.
Conservation farming techniques are required.

You're right - the carbon credit caper is not all one-way traffic as we may have thought when we first came across it. But the benefits of carbon farming are many. But don't forget, everyone has the right to farm their soil anywhichway they want to. It is important that everyone knows the implications of all the choices available. For mine, I'd rather stay ahead of the game than have some government busybody telling me what to do.

Thanks for the questions. I'd welcome your feedback and I'll post this exchange on the blogsite for all to see.


Cheers!
Michael