Australian farmers are continuing to use sustainable and emissions-related practices at high rates, according to new data released today in the Survey of Emissions and Natural Resource Management Practices in Australia, 2023–24.
ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville said the ABARES Survey of Emissions and Natural Resource Management Practices and accompanying interactive dashboard provided detailed insights into how farmers are managing emissions, natural resources and drought risk, including regional differences across Australia.
“This survey provides important information that enables governments, industry and stakeholders to track the uptake of sustainable farming practices over time,” Dr Greenville said.
“Over the three years to 2023–24, 92 per cent of all broadacre and dairy farms used at least one of the surveyed natural resource management (NRM) practices, demonstrating strong engagement with sustainable land and farm management.
“Looking ahead, an estimated 18 per cent of broadacre and dairy farms expect to undertake at least one new on-farm activity in the next two years to better manage natural resources or reduce net emissions.
“Soil testing was one of the most widely adopted practices, used by 57 per cent of broadacre and dairy farms, with uptake highest in the high rainfall and wheat–sheep zones compared to the pastoral zone.
“Improving farm sustainability and reducing costs or increasing productivity were the main drivers for adopting NRM practices, cited by 80 per cent and 79 per cent of farms respectively.
“The survey also found that awareness of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions remained relatively low.
“Only 7 per cent of broadacre and dairy farmers indicated they knew their farm’s net greenhouse gas emissions, while a further 12 per cent said they would like to know. Farms that were aware of their emissions tended to be larger than those that were not.
“Australian farmers are also taking significant action to prepare for dry conditions.
“77 per cent of broadacre and dairy farms adopted at least one drought-resilience practice over the three years to 2023–24.
“Uptake was highest in the wheat–sheep zone, where 84 per cent of farms used drought-resilience practices, compared with 72 per cent in the high rainfall zone and 70 per cent in the pastoral zone.”
The ABARES Survey of Emissions and Natural Resource Management Practices in Australia supports evidence-based policy development and provides valuable insights into how farmers are responding to environmental challenges while maintaining productive and resilient farm businesses.
Read the ABARES Survey of Emissions and Natural Resource Management Practices here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/surveys/emissions-nrm
