Visit to investigate the New Zealand sheep industry response to climate change
Climate change has been identified as a major challenge for the long-term sustainability of livestock production. Understanding the contribution of livestock to climate change, and appreciating methods of adaptation and mitigation will become more important for sheep producers. The rising cost of concentrates and the utilisation of forage are never more important.
The objectives of the visit
- Are to understand the research work that is being conducted to reduce New Zealand contribution to Green House Gases
- To see how this information is being communicated to farmers
- To look at grazing management tools that can be applied in the UK
- To appreciate New Zealand’s sheep breeding strategy for disease resilience
Climate change is influencing government policy in the way it views agriculture and animal husbandry across the world. The various sectors can learn from the different approaches and research underway in many countries for everyone’s benefit.