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CSI participants discuss GHG emissions, tour Mars Petcare

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Cool Soil Initiative participants from the Riverine Plains region recently met to discuss their on-farm greenhouse gas emissions and tour the Mars Petcare factory in Wodonga.

Mars Petcare is a founding partner of the Cool Soil Initiative, which has been joined more recently by Kellogg’s, Manildra Group, Allied Pinnacle, Charles Sturt University and the Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre.

The Cool Soil Initiative project supports wheat and maize growers to monitor and manage their greenhouse gas emissions, while also exploring how different farming practices can provide long-term carbon and soil health benefits.

As part of the Initiative, farmers submit crop input and paddock history data, which when combined with soil test data and yield results, allows greenhouse gas emissions to be calculated for each paddock.

Being involved in the Initiative helps farmers pinpoint areas of inefficiency and production constraints within their farming systems, which has the potential to generate significant input cost savings and production gains. It has also helped highlight the factors driving on-farm emissions and the factors that can influence the spectrum of results season-to-season.

Mars Petcare is a significant purchaser of grain from southern NSW and north-eastern Victoria and the day also provided an opportunity for farmers to tour the Mars Petcare manufacturing facility at Wodonga and hear how the company is working to reduce the environmental impacts of the business.

The importance of quantifying on-farm emissions is only likely to increase over time as a result of government and consumer pressure, and Riverine Plains is excited that this project is leading the way in providing a framework for local farmers to start considering their emissions.

Wheat and Maize farmers interested in learning more about monitoring their emissions through the Cool Soil Initiative are invited to contact Riverine Plains’ Project Officer Jane McInnes, by phoning (03) 5744 1713 or emailing jane@riverineplains.org.au

Further information about the Cool Soil Initiative is available at https://riverineplains.org.au/cool-soil-initiative/

The Cool Soil Initiative is funded by Mars Petcare, Kellogg’s, Manildra Group and Allied Pinnacle, in partnership with Charles Sturt University and the Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre, with support from the Sustainable Food Lab.

Cool Soils Initiative Grower Summit – 16 March, Howlong

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Riverine Plains will host a Cool Soils Initiative Grower Summit at Howlong on Tuesday 16 March, 2021.

To download the pdf version of the flyer, please click here.

RSVP’s are essential by Thursday 11 March, 2020 to jane@riverineplains.org.au or phone 03 5744 1713,

The Australian Cool Farm Initiative: monitoring & managing greenhouse gas emissions

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NSW and Victorian grain farmers interested in monitoring or reducing their greenhouse gas emissions are invited to take part in the Australian Cool Farm Initiative being delivered by Riverine Plains Inc and Central West Farming Systems, through a partnership with the USA-based Sustainable Food Laboratory.

The Australian Cool Farm Initiative is supported by global food company Mars Incorporated, as part of an effort to reduce the environmental impacts of their business. In Australia, Mars Petcare is a significant purchaser of grain from southern NSW and north east Victoria.

Grain growers produce greenhouse gas emissions in a number of ways and the Australian Cool Farm Initiative provides an avenue for growers to monitor and manage their emissions, while also exploring how different farm practices can provide long-term carbon benefits.

The Initiative can also help growers identify inefficiencies and production constraints within their systems, which has the potential to lead to significant input cost savings and production gains.

Farmers who participate in the program will receive support in the use of the Cool Farm Tool greenhouse gas calculator as well as soil sampling of up to five wheat paddocks annually. Farmers will also receive technical support and information on management options for the key limiting factors in their farming systems.

The Cool Farm Tool has been tested and adopted by a range of multinational companies including Nestle, McDonalds and Unilever through their membership of the Cool Farm Alliance. The Cool Farm Alliance works with their suppliers to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the effort to address global climate change.

Farmers are encouraged to contact Riverine Plains Inc on 03 5744 1713 or Central West Farming Systems to learn more about the program.

The Australian Cool Farm Initiative: reducing greenhouse gas emissions

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Date: 4 October, 2018

Word Count: 354

The Australian Cool Farm Initiative: reducing greenhouse gas emissions while driving efficiencies

NSW and Victorian grain farmers interested in monitoring or reducing their greenhouse gas emissions are invited to take part in the Australian Cool Farm Initiative being delivered by Riverine Plains Inc and Central West Farming Systems, through a partnership with the USA-based Sustainable Food Laboratory.

Riverine Plains Inc Research Officer, Dr Cassandra Schefe explained that the Australian Cool Farm Initiative is supported by global food company Mars Incorporated, as part of an effort to reduce the environmental impacts of their business. In Australia, Mars Petcare is a significant purchaser of grain from southern NSW and north east Victoria.

“Grain growers produce greenhouse gas emissions in a number of ways and the Australian Cool Farm Initiative provides an avenue for growers to monitor and manage their emissions, while also exploring how different farm practices can provide long-term carbon benefits” said Cassandra.

“The Initiative can also help growers identify inefficiencies and production constraints within their systems, which has the potential to lead to significant input cost savings and production gains” added Cassandra.

Farmers who participate in the program will receive support in the use of the Cool Farm Tool greenhouse gas calculator as well as soil sampling of up to five wheat paddocks annually. Farmers will also receive technical support and information on management options for the key limiting factors in their farming systems.

The Cool Farm Tool has been tested and adopted by a range of multinational companies including Nestle, McDonalds and Unilever through their membership of the Cool Farm Alliance. The Cool Farm Alliance works with their suppliers to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the effort to address global climate change.

Farmers are encouraged to contact Riverine Plains Inc or Central West Farming Systems to learn more about the program.

For more information, please contact Cassandra Schefe, Riverine Plains Inc 0419 238 798; cassandra@riverineplains.org.au

Riverine Plains Inc is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. For more information, or to become a member, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au

….ends………………

More Information or Interview:

Cassandra Schefe, Research Officer, Riverine Plains (03 5744 1713 or 0419 238 798)

Photo Caption: Juliette Caulkins, Global Sustainable Sourcing Director, Mars Petcare, speaking about the Australian Cool Farm Initiative at the recent Riverine Research Centre Open Day.

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