This RaboTalk Growing our Future’s episode explores one of the biggest questions facing New Zealand agriculture: how farmers and growers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting profitability and long-term business resilience.
Blake Holgate is joined by Lee Matheson, Managing Director at Perrin Ag and co-author of The Path to 2050 white paper, for a practical discussion on why Lee believes the sector cannot rely on future technology alone, and why he considers emissions planning needs to sit at the heart of farm strategy.
In the podcast Lee talks about the importance of improving efficiency, understanding each farm’s emissions profile, making land-use decisions based on sound economics, and working collectively through peer groups, processors, industry bodies and policy settings.
The Path to 2050 white paper can be accessed here.
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Show Notes
Planning Beyond Technological Silver Bullets
The white paper poses a critical question: what if a methane vaccine or bolus is delayed, cost-prohibitive, or rejected by global markets? While technology remains an important focus, sector strategy must address how farm systems can lower emissions through practical land management, structured risk allocation, and commercially viable business models.
Capturing Value Through Efficient Management
Farming more efficiently and productively reduces both emissions intensity and gross footprint. While improved management practice cannot achieve deep national reduction targets on its own, optimising farm inputs and identifying underperforming land areas provides an immediate, practical starting point that strengthens overall business resilience.
The Necessity of Clear Market and Policy Signals
Producers are not inherently resistant to change, but they require unambiguous signals to justify shifting established farm systems. Meaningful behaviour change relies on clear economic incentives from processing companies, aligned messaging across industry bodies, and supportive government policy that de-risks innovative land-use transitions.
Overcoming Constraints on Alternative Land Uses
Replacing traditional ruminant systems with alternative land uses is not as simple as drawing up a blueprint. Expanding novel crops or horticulture requires substantial capital, specialised processing infrastructure, established supply chains, and proven export demand. Land-use change must remain driven by underlying economics rather than top-down directives.
Systemic Co-Benefits and Peer Collaboration
Emissions reduction cannot occur in isolation from wider environmental challenges like water quality and biodiversity. Addressing freshwater management often yields direct emissions co-benefits. Furthermore, navigating these complex choices in local peer groups allows farmers to share data, evaluate risk, and accelerate practical adoption.
Final Advice: Measure Your Profile and Start the Conversation
Lee encourages every producer to begin by accurately calculating their farm's emissions profile and discussing the results with local peers. Treating emissions as a key 10 to 15 year strategic business risk ensures that future land use and capital investment decisions keep the business resilient, competitive, and well-positioned for shifting market expectations.
