Behind the immense challenge of decarbonising global economies lies another: how do we eat without further destabilising the stable climate that supports agriculture?
This question will draw an outstanding group of minds together at the University of New England (UNE) on National Ag Day, November 15, to consider the question, What does it take to make a ‘net zero’ steak?
UNE’s SMART Region Incubator (SRI) will host a day of wide-ranging discussion on this question. The forum will be led by Bert Glover, Founder and now CEO of Impact Ag’s US operations; Richard Heath, CEO of the new Zero Net Emissions (ZNE) Ag CRC; Michael Crowley, MD of Meat and Livestock Australia and Steve Wiedemann of Integrity Ag.
They will be joined by UNE researchers at the forefront of livestock emissions reduction research, and a panel of innovators and researchers who will explore “Wild Ideas” around net-zero production.
A barbecue lunch will be hosted by UNE meat scientist, Dr Pete McGilchrist, and Meat and Livestock Australia chef, Sam Burke.
Mr Glover will introduce the forum by observing that the past mish-mash of policy initiatives around climate change are no guide to the future. The global investor community, recognising that the changing climate is a growing threat to assets and social stability, is now pouring billions into innovation to address the issue.
The reality, Mr Glover says, is that despite three decades of global talks, humanity is making limited progress on slowing or stopping climate change. Agriculture and energy production are roughly equal contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
“We can either halve human emissions, or we can sequester an additional 2.5 % of carbon across the world’s agricultural lands. My bet is that sequestering is easier than changing human behavior.”
Impact Ag has been at the forefront of the emerging ‘nature-based solutions’ market, becoming the first Australian agricultural company to trade carbon credits globally. Mr Glover will offer a global perspective on the swiftly growing opportunities in this area, and other promising market-based approaches.
SRI Director, Dr Lou Conway, observes that ‘getting to net zero’ is not just about protecting a stable climate for agriculture.
“Ag productivity growth is slowing. The work we need to do in getting to Net Zero has the potential to be a sort of moonshot that unleashes a burst of innovation which takes agriculture to a new level of productivity and resilience.”
ABARES modelling forecasts rainfall declines of 3 per cent to 20 per cent across Australia’s agricultural zones by 2050 under optimistic emissions reductions scenarios. These reductions have so far not been realised.
Changing rainfall, and increased variability, will reduce average farm profits by 2 per cent to 30 per cent, ABARES forecasts – or by 10 per cent- 50 per cent if emissions continue to grow on their current trajectory.
“I’m incredibly excited about the quality and diversity of minds that will be in the room on National Ag Day,” Dr Conway said.
“I hear that many in the ag community are tired of a lot of circular discussion around addressing climate change, but the people we will have at UNE and the founders with whom we work, are bringing new perspectives. They are all engaged with genuine, working solutions that are pointing to new approaches to this most complex of problems.”
UNE SRI welcomes anyone who wants to engage with this discussion to participate in this focused and relevant National Ag Day special event. A barbecue lunch is part of the package, with an expert cooking demonstration by MLA Chef Sam Burke and UNE Meat Scientist, Dr Peter McGilchrist.
Those who plan to attend can RSVP via the Eventbrite link on this page: https://www.unesri.com.au/event-listings/whats-it-take-to-make-a-zet-zero-steak
Why you should attend:
- Learn from leading experts: Hear from agriculture industry leaders and researchers driving the future of sustainable livestock production.
- Explore practical solutions: Understand the real-world practices behind transitioning to Net Zero and ensuring market access for eco-conscious products.
- Get a taste of innovation: Watch Chef Sam Burke in action and savor a BBQ prepared with future-forward culinary techniques.
- Connect and network: Meet the game-changers in the field, from researchers to producers, innovators, and students.
- Celebrate National Ag Day and be inspired by the possibilities of a sustainable future for agriculture.
Event schedule:
- 8:30am – 12:30pm: Presentations and panel discussions featuring leading researchers, innovators, and industry professionals.
- 12:30pm – 2:30pm: BBQ Lunch at the Potting Shed – Chef Sam Burke and Pete McGilchrist will be cooking up something special, with informal networking and conversation to wrap up the day.
Featured speakers:
- Bert Glover (Founder & CEO, US Impact Ag Partners)
- Richard Heath (CEO, NZE Ag CRC)
- Michael Crowley (MD, MLA)
- Stephen Weideman (Integrity Ag)
- WILD Ideas Panel: Charlotte Murray (Director, CM Consulting), Heather Burrow (Professorial Research Fellow), Sam Duncan (CEO, FarmLab), Bill Mitchell (CEO, Optiweigh), Nina Welti (CSIRO)
- And many more thought leaders in Sustainable Agriculture.
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