Why does soil carbon matter?

Ag Matters

This short video features soil scientist Louis Schipper explaining what soil carbon is, why it matters for both farm productivity and the climate, and why boosting it can be tricky. You’ll learn how carbon moves into soil through photosynthesis and back out via respiration, and why keeping ground covered is critical. It also describes possible on-farm actions like mixing plantain, chicory or tall fescue into pastures to send more carbon below ground. 

Ag Matters
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Have you thought about

Soil

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Sustainability

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    Explore ways to boost soil carbon through diverse plants, better grazing, and smart irrigation.

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    Learn about sources of methane and how it influences the climate.

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    Learn about nitrous oxide, its effects, and ways to cut emissions in farming.

Greenhouse gas

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    Learn how livestock impact the carbon cycle and climate in New Zealand agriculture.

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    Explore actions New Zealand farmers can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions effectively.

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An alternative perspective

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    Discover how many jobs green kiwifruit could support on the whenua in your rohe.

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    Discover which paddocks grow the most feed and why some fall short.

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