A forum in Beechworth on 13 September will help farmers and agricultural service providers to understand on-farm requirements and supply chain demands as the world moves to a low-carbon economy.

Agricultural consultant Cam Nicholson will provide an overview of where carbon requirements are headed and the evolution of possible emission reduction technologies.

He will explore options farmers have to maintain business flexibility while starting to participate in the carbon space.

Program topics include:

• The continuing evolution of greenhouse gas mitigation – in Australia and globally
• Possible actions to reduce emissions and sequester carbon – now and in the future
• Calculating your farm's carbon emissions and emissions intensity.

Mr Nicholson is a director of Nicon Rural Services, a consulting business near Geelong working with the grazing and cropping industries. He has 35 years of experience in farm advisory, as well as a beef and sheep farmer.

Mr Nicholson and his partner Fiona Conroy have a long interest in improving, measuring and understanding the benefits from managing the natural resources on their farm. They run a self-replacing, commercial performance recorded Angus herd and a superfine wool Merino flock with a focus on productivity, animal welfare and environmental management.

The main focus has been on soil, water, vegetation and fauna.  Their actions include extensive tree planting, fencing off water storages, reticulation into troughs, soil testing every paddock every three years (since 1993), as well as bird and fauna monitoring.

Mr Nicholson said more recently they have been interested in understanding the opportunities and future market challenges around carbon accounting and reporting.

“I have followed the evolution of carbon farming since 2011, searching for sensible opportunities to meet growing emission reduction requirements while pushing back against those who offer unrealistic or quick fix solutions,” he said.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, 13 September 2023, between 10am and 3.30pm at The Priory, 8 Priory Lane, Beechworth.

Tickets are $20pp + booking fee (including lunch) and are available at https://events.humanitix.com/understanding-carbon-with-cam-nicholson-beechworth

For more information contact Lachlan Campbell at lachlan.campbell@necma.vic.gov.au or 0400 852 452

This event is supported by the North East CMA and Agriculture Victoria, with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.