S e n a t o r t h e H o n.

J o e L u d w i g
M I N I S T E R I A L S T A T E M E N T

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator for Queensland

Filling the Research Gap to help farmers

3 APRIL 2013

Farmers will benefit from 31 new research projects looking at how farm practices can be adapted to reduce carbon emissions and earn them a second income stream by generating and selling carbon credits. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, said 31 projects would share in $30 million under the Gillard Governments $201 million Filling the Research Gap Program, which funds the research that will assist in developing methodologies that can be applied by farmers and landholders to reduce emissions. A report released by the Climate Commission today reinforced the need to act on climate change, finding climate change is already increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events which pose significant risks to agriculture and the environment. Minister Ludwig said the Filling the Research Gap Program aimed to provide data to assist in developing methodologies that help farmers and landholders participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative to reduce emissions, improve their farm sustainability and diversify their farm income. These projects will build our knowledge about how farmers and landholders can play their part in reducing carbon emissions and act to fight climate change and the risks it poses for agriculture, Minister Ludwig said. It is research projects like these that underpin the agriculture sectors ability to take up the opportunities presented by the Carbon Farming Initiative. Some of Australias best research organisations have been successful in this round, including research and development corporations, universities and private industry. By supporting and investing in these research projects we are helping to develop new technology and land management practices and reinforce Australias reputation as a world leader in sustainable farming. Minister Ludwig announced the recipients during a visit to the Queensland University of Technology which will receive $1,816,708 for three projects that will: develop cost-effective methodologies for quantifying emissions of nitrous oxide from agricultural soils; evaluate composting as a practice to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from manure; and explore weather forecasts as a tool to better time fertiliser to minimise nitrous oxide emissions. The Filling the Research Gap Program is part of the Gillard Governments commitment to reducing carbon emissions, combating climate change, and supporting sustainable farming practices, he said. This years grants build on last years first round that saw $47 million awarded to 57 projects. It also progresses the excellent work conducted under the Climate Change Research Program. Minister Ludwig said the research undertaken from Government funding in this round would focus on six themes: reducing emissions from livestock production systems; reducing nitrous oxide emissions; increasing soil carbon; farm system design and analysis; adaptation to climate change; and international collaboration. Filling the Research Gap is an ongoing program with initial funding of $201 million allocated over six years to 201617. The Program is a component of the Carbon Farming Futures Program, under the governments $1.7 billion Land Sector Package. For more information about the Filling the Research Gap Program and successful grant recipients visit www.daff.gov.au/ftrg.

Media contact: Melissa Patch 0418 734 413 or Katana Smith 0459 813 574

Media release from the Hon. Joe Ludwig - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

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As background: Filling the Research Gap is a research program that undertakes laboratory and field based work to provide options that can be used by farmers in their real world situations to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Filling the Research Gap builds on the excellent work of the Climate Change Research Program (CCRP) which directly contributed to development of the first approved Carbon Farming Initiative methodology relating to methane capture in piggeries. This methodology is now being used by piggery farmers to earn carbon credits under the Carbon Farming Initiative. In addition, CCRP research has also contributed to development of a further two methodologies for piggeries and dairy farmers that are now ready to be used by farmers. It is expected that further outcomes like these will be delivered by the Filling the Research Gap program.

Media contact: Melissa Patch 0418 734 413 or Katana Smith 0459 813 574