Knowledge
The NZAGRC is committed to providing information regarding agricultural greenhouse gases research and overview information.
Below are a list of publications and reports from a variety of sources that may be useful if you're interested in agricultural greenhouse gases. They range from information for those who have a general interest in greenhouse gas mitigation options and technologies through to very specific science papers on the various gases, technologies and mitigation solutions.
Use the left navigation for more specific subsets of publications and information.
Grassland soils have potential to offset GHG emissions
24/07/19
At least 60% of New Zealand's high-producing grasslands - those on less than 20-degree slopes - have some potential to sequester carbon and help in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Dr Mike Beare of Plant & Food...
Scientific Aspects of New Zealand's 2050 Emission Targets
24/06/19
This note seeks to clarify the scientific basis and climate outcomes of emission reduction targets for New Zealand proposed in the Zero Carbon Bill and of alternative targets for methane emissions. Read the full report: Scientific aspects...
Information Brochure: Mitigation and cost of on-farm Greenhouse Gas Emission
16/04/19
This information brochure reports on the modelling work done over four years on a range of dairy, sheep and beef farms, as part of a number of projects, including for the NZAGRC. It also discusses forestry as a carbon sink and possible...
Reducing New Zealand's Agricultural Greenhouse Gases: Low Greenhouse Gas Feeds
28/03/19
This publication provides an overview of how various feeds (e.g. grass silage, brassicas, cereal and root crops, maize silage, palm kernel extract) may affect greenhouse gas emissions. It shows what the NZAGRC and PGgRc research programme has...
Climate Change Teaching Resource
11/03/19
The House of Science is delighted to announce the addition of a Climate Change science resource kit to their library of resources for primary and intermediate schools. The kit was officially launched in Rotorua at the House of Science regional...
Management practices to reduce losses or increase soil carbon stocks in temperate grazed grasslands: New Zealand as a case study
08/07/18
Whitehead, D., Schipper, L.A., Pronger, J., Gabriel, Y.K. Moinet, Mudge, P.L., Pereira, R.C., Kirschbaum, M.U.F., McNally, S.R., Beare, M.H., Camps-Arbestain, M. 2018. Management practices to reduce losses or increase soil carbon stocks in...
Stocks, composition and vulnerability to loss of soil organic carbon predicted using mid-infrared spectroscopy
04/07/18
Baldock, J. A., Beare, M. H., Curtin, D., & Hawke, B. (2018). Stocks, composition and vulnerability to loss of soil organic carbon predicted using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Soil Research, 56(5), 468-480. AbstractDeveloping a routine...
Adapting global shared socio-economic pathways for national and local scenarios
26/05/18
Frame, B., Lawrence, J., Ausseil, A.-G., Reisinger, A., & Daigneault, A. (2018). Adapting global shared socio-economic pathways for national and local scenarios. Climate Risk Management. Abstract Socio-economic scenarios enable us to...
Genetic parameters of methane emissions determined using portable accumulation chambers in lambs and ewes grazing pasture and genetic correlations with emissions determined in respiration chambers
09/05/18
A Jonker S M Hickey S J Rowe P H Janssen G Shackell S Elmes W E Bain J Wing G J Greer B Bryson S MacLean K G Dodds C S Pinares-Patiño E A Young K Knowler N K Pickering J C McEwan (2018). Genetic parameters of methane emissions determined...
Report: Mitigating greenhouse gases on Māori farms 2014-2017
28/02/18
This report covers a project to assist the Māori pastoral sector to improve its collective capacity to increase resource efficiency, farm productivity, while reducing GHG emissions. The project was based around the establishment of a network of...
Potential inhibition of urine patch nitrous oxide emissions by Plantago lanceolata and its metabolite aucubin
12/12/17
Gardiner, C. A., Clough, T. J., Cameron, K. C., Di, H. J., Edwards, G. R., & de Klein, C. A. M. (2017). Potential inhibition of urine patch nitrous oxide emissions by Plantago lanceolata and its metabolite aucubin. [Article in Press]. New...
How much do direct livestock emissions actually contribute to global warming?
06/11/17
Reisinger, A. and Clark, H. (), How much do direct livestock emissions actually contribute to global warming?. Glob Change Biol. Accepted Author Manuscript. doi:10.1111/gcb.13975 AbstractAgriculture directly contributes about 10-12% of current...
Sheep from low-methane-yield selection lines created on alfalfa pellets also have lower methane yield under pastoral farming conditions
08/09/17
Jonker, A., S. Hickey, C. Pinares-Patiño, J. McEwan, S. Olinga, A. Díaz, G. Molano, S. MacLean, E. Sandoval, R. Harland, D. Birch, B. Bryson, K. Knowler, and S. Rowe. 2017. Sheep from low-methane-yield selection lines created on...
Reducing NZ's agricultural GHGs: Methane Inhibitors
28/07/17
This publication provides an overview of how we may be able to use compounds that suppress an animal's methanogen population effectively without causing unwanted side effects in their health, welfare or production. It covers some of the...
Annual Report 2016
25/07/17
This is the full public annual report for 2015/16. NZAGRC 2016 Annual Report.pdf (1.64MB)
GRA Livestock Research Group Newsletter: July 2017
13/07/17
Welcome to the July 2017 edition of the Livestock Research Group’s newsletter. USDA’s Acting Chief Scientist, Dr Ann Bartuska, remarked at the recent Livestock Research Group (LRG) meeting how much the group has grown in subject area...
Mitigating nitrous oxide and manure-derived methane emissions by removing cows in response to wet soil conditions
26/06/17
T.J. van der Weerden, S. Laurenson, I. Vogeler, P.C. Beukes, S.M. Thomas, R.M. Rees, C.F.E. Topp, G. Lanigan, C.A.M. de Klein, Mitigating nitrous oxide and manure-derived methane emissions by removing cows in response to wet soil conditions,...
Do glucosinolate hydrolysis products reduce nitrous oxide emissions from urine affected soil?
23/06/17
S.F. Balvert, J. Luo, L.A. Schipper, Do glucosinolate hydrolysis products reduce nitrous oxide emissions from urine affected soil?, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 603, 2017, Pages 370-380, ISSN 0048-9697,...
Sensitivity of the carbon footprint of New Zealand milk to greenhouse gas metrics
31/05/17
Reisinger, A., Ledgard, S.F., Falconer, S.J. 2017. Sensitivity of the carbon footprint of New Zealand milk to greenhouse gasmetrics. Ecological Indicators 81, 74–82. Highlights The carbon footprint of milk depends on the choice...
Modelling NH3 volatilisation within a urine patch using NZ-DNDC
25/05/17
Giltrap, D., S. Saggar, et al. (2017). "Modelling NH3 volatilisation within a urine patch using NZ-DNDC." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 108(3): 267-277. Abstract Urea concentrations in urine patches deposited during animal grazing can be...
CCAFS 2016 Annual Report
19/05/17
CCAFS 2016 Annual Report is now available noting significant progress on agriculture under climate change was made in 2016. Read the report NZAGRC & CCAFS The NZAGRC through the GRA LRG work programme is pleased to to work with CCAFS on...
CCAFS MRV summary report
19/05/17
The NZAGRC through the GRA LRG work programme is pleased to to work with CCAFS on improving countries’ ability to monitor, report and verify GHG emissions from livestock. A summary of the MRV report is available. Read the report
Low emissions development of the beef cattle sector in Uruguay
19/05/17
The NZAGRC in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has released a report evaluating the potential for improving productivity while reducing enteric methane emission intensity from beef production in Uruguay. View...
Some clarification of the impacts of grassland intensification on food production, nitrogen release, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration: using the example of New Zealand
19/05/17
Anthony J. Parsons, John H. M. Thornley, Susanne Rasmussen and Jacqueline S. Rowarth, 2016, Some clarification of the impacts of grassland intensification on food production, nitrogen release, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration:...
Supporting low emissions development in the Bangladesh dairy sector
19/05/17
The NZAGRC in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has released a report evaluating the potential for improving milk production while reducing enteric methane emission intensity from dairy production in Bangladesh....
Supporting low emissions development in the Ethiopian dairy cattle sector
19/05/17
The NZAGRC in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has released a report evaluating the potential for improving milk production while reducing enteric methane emission intensity from dairy cattle production in Ethiopia....
The structure of agricultural greenhouse gas research funding in New Zealand
29/03/17
This publication is a guide to New Zealand's way of funding greenhouse gas research in New Zealand including ways the funds work in partnership to grow New Zealand's understanding and contribution to real solutions to tackle climate change.
Feeding diets with fodder beet decreased methane emissions from dry and lactating dairy cows in grazing systems
24/02/17
Jonker Arjan, Scobie David, Dynes Robyn, Edwards Grant, De Klein Cecile, Hague Helen, McAuliffe Russel, Taylor Anna, Knight Trevor, Waghorn Garry (2017) Feeding diets with fodder beet decreased methane emissions from dry and lactating dairy cows...
The carbon balance of temperate grasslands part I: The impact of increased species diversity
06/02/17
S. Rutledge, A.M. Wall, P.L. Mudge, B. Troughton, D.I. Campbell, J. Pronger, C. Joshi, L.A. Schipper, The carbon balance of temperate grasslands part I: The impact of increased species diversity, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume...
A review of soil carbon change in New Zealand
05/02/17
Schipper, L. A., P. L. Mudge, et al. (2017). "A review of soil carbon change in New Zealand’s grazed grasslands." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 60(2): 93-118. AbstractSoil organic matter is a potential sink of atmospheric...
The carbon balance of temperate grasslands part II: The impact of pasture renewal via direct drilling
23/01/17
S. Rutledge, A.M. Wall, P.L. Mudge, B. Troughton, D.I. Campbell, J. Pronger, C. Joshi, L.A. Schipper, The carbon balance of temperate grasslands part II: The impact of pasture renewal via direct drilling, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,...
Nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited onto soil supporting a winter forage kale crop
11/01/17
van der Weerden, T. J., T. M. Styles, et al. (2017). "Nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited onto soil supporting a winter forage kale crop." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 60(2): 119-130. AbstractWintering cows on...
Comparative genomics of rumen methanogens
01/01/17
Li, Y. (2016). Comparative genomics of rumen methanogens, Massey University. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry: 550. Abstract Methane (CH4) emissions from agriculture represent around 9% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The...
Gene network analysis identifies rumen epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolic pathways perturbed by diet and correlated with methane production
14/12/16
Xiang, R., J. McNally, et al. (2016). "Gene network analysis identifies rumen epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolic pathways perturbed by diet and correlated with methane production." 6: 39022. Abstract Ruminants obtain...
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions: Mapping soil organic carbon stocks
05/12/16
This publication provides an overview of how we can map the amount of carbon stored in New Zealand soils.
Report: Desk-top review of GHG components of OVERSEER
15/11/16
Report prepared for the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre August 2015 Read more
Cows, Sheep and Science: A Scientific Perspective on Biological Emissions from Agriculture
31/10/16
The science is clear. When debating emissions, consider your goals. This paper was commissioned by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in the context of the Commissioner’s investigation into the merits of an “all-gases,...
The trade-offs between milk production and soil organic carbon storage in dairy systems under different management and environmental factors
15/10/16
Kirschbaum, M. U. F., L. A. Schipper, et al. (2017). "The trade-offs between milk production and soil organic carbon storage in dairy systems under different management and environmental factors." Science of the Total Environment 577: 61-72....
Herbicide application during pasture renewal initially increases root turnover and carbon input to soil in perennial ryegrass and white clover pasture
16/09/16
McNally, S. R., Laughlin, D. C., Rutledge, S., Dodd, M. B., Six, J., & Schipper, L. A. (2017). Herbicide application during pasture renewal initially increases root turnover and carbon input to soil in perennial ryegrass and white clover...
The complete genome sequence of the methanogenic archaeon ISO4-H5 provides insights into the methylotrophic lifestyle of a ruminal representative of the Methanomassiliicoccales
06/09/16
Li, Y., Leahy, S. C., Jeyanathan, J., Henderson, G., Cox, F., Altermann, E., . . . Attwood, G. T. (2016). The complete genome sequence of the methanogenic archaeon ISO4-H5 provides insights into the methylotrophic lifestyle of a ruminal...
Modelling Agriculture's Contribution to New Zealand's Contribution to the Post-2020 Agreement
01/09/16
This report has been commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to provide information on expected future agricultural emissions and the potential of mitigation actions. It aims to assist in developing different approaches to an...
Low spatial and inter-annual variability of evaporation from a year-round intensively grazed temperate pasture system
01/08/16
J. Pronger, D.I. Campbell, M.J. Clearwater, S. Rutledge, A.M. Wall, L.A. Schipper, Low spatial and inter-annual variability of evaporation from a year-round intensively grazed temperate pasture system, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,...
Vaccination of Sheep with a Methanogen Protein Provides Insight into Levels of Antibody in Saliva Needed to Target Ruminal Methanogens
29/07/16
Subharat S, Shu D, Zheng T, Buddle BM, Kaneko K, et al. (2016) Vaccination of Sheep with a Methanogen Protein Provides Insight into Levels of Antibody in Saliva Needed to Target Ruminal Methanogens. PLOS ONE 11(7):...
Establishment of Aporrectodea longa and measurement of dung carbon incorporation in soils under permanent pasture
20/07/16
Schon, N. L., A. D. Mackay, et al. (2016). "Establishment of Aporrectodea longa and measurement of dung carbon incorporation in soils under permanent pasture." European Journal of Soil Biology 75: 174-179. Earthworm populations often have a large...
Enhancing life cycle impact assessment from climate science: Review of recent findings and recommendations for application to LCA
19/07/16
Annie Levasseur, Otávio Cavalett, Jan S. Fuglestvedt, Thomas Gasser, Daniel J.A. Johansson, Susanne V. Jørgensen, Marco Raugei, Andy Reisinger, Greg Schivley, Anders Strømman, Katsumasa Tanaka, Francesco Cherubini, Enhancing...
Methane emissions changed nonlinearly with graded substitution of alfalfa silage with corn silage and corn grain in the diet of sheep and relation with rumen fermentation characteristics in vivo and in vitro
14/07/16
Jonker, A., K. Lowe, S. Kittelmann, P. H. Janssen, S. Ledgard, and D. Pacheco. 2016. Methane emissions changed nonlinearly with graded substitution of alfalfa silage with corn silage and corn grain in the diet of sheep and relation with rumen...
Bridging the gap between impact assessment methods and climate science
11/07/16
Francesco Cherubini, Jan Fuglestvedt, Thomas Gasser, Andy Reisinger, Otávio Cavalett, Mark A.J. Huijbregts, Daniel J.A. Johansson, Susanne V. Jørgensen, Marco Raugei, Greg Schivley, Anders Hammer Strømman, Katsumasa Tanaka,...
Reducing emissions from agriculture to meet the 2 degrees Celcius target
11/07/16
Wollenberg, E., Richards, M., Smith, P., Havlík, P., Obersteiner, M., Tubiello, F. N., Herold, M., Gerber, P., Carter, S., Reisinger, A., van Vuuren, D. P., Dickie, A., Neufeldt, H., Sander, B. O., Wassmann, R., Sommer, R., Amonette, J. E.,...
A Review of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Use of Brassica and Fodder Beet Forages on New Zealand Farms
01/07/16
Brassicas (represented mainly by forage rape, kale, swede and turnip) and fodder beet are widely used in New Zealand grazing systems due to their high DM yield and high nutritional value compared to conventional perennial ryegrass/white clover...
Collective land tenure systems and greenhouse gas mitigation among Māori farmers in Aotearoa
01/07/16
West, G., Journeaux, P., Wakelin, S., & Kingi, T. (2016). Collective land tenure systems and greenhouse gas mitigation among Maori farmers in Aotearoa, New Zealand Pan Pacific Indigenous Resource Management: Australian National University Press.
Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review
01/07/16
Gardiner, C. A., T. J. Clough, et al. (2016). "Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 59(3): 301-317....
Report: Potential applications of full inversion tillage to increase soil carbon storage during pasture renewal in New Zealand
28/06/16
This report reviews the potential to use full inversion tillage (FIT) during pasture renewal to increase the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks of New Zealand’s High Producing Grasslands. December 2015 Download this...
The potential of using alternative pastures, forage crops and gibberellic acid to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions
21/05/16
Di, H. J., Cameron, K. C., Podolyan, A., Edwards, G. R., de Klein, C. A. M., Dynes, R., & Woods, R. (2016). The potential of using alternative pastures, forage crops and gibberellic acid to mitigate nitrous oxide emissions. [Article]. Journal...
Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine from sheep and cattle fed forage rape (Brassica napus L.) or perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture (Lolium perenne L./Trifolium repens)
12/05/16
C.J. Hoogendoorn, J. Luo, C.M. Lloyd-West, B.P. Devantier, S.B. Lindsey, S. Sun, D. Pacheco, Y. Li, P.W. Theobald, A. Judge, Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine from sheep and cattle fed forage rape ( L.) or perennial ryegrass/white clover...
Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review
10/05/16
Gardiner, C. A., T. J. Clough, et al. (2016). "Potential for forage diet manipulation in New Zealand pasture ecosystems to mitigate ruminant urine derived N2O emissions: a review." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 59(3): 301-317....
New use of global warming potentials to compare cumulative and short-lived climate pollutants
02/05/16
Allen, M. R., J. S. Fuglestvedt, et al. (2016). "New use of global warming potentials to compare cumulative and short-lived climate pollutants." Nature Clim. Change 6(8): 773-776. Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate...
Complete Genome Sequence of Methanogenic Archaeon ISO4-G1, a Member of the Methanomassiliicoccales, Isolated from a Sheep Rumen
07/04/16
Kelly WJ, Li D, Lambie SC, Jeyanathan J, Cox F, Li Y, Attwood GT, Altermann E, Leahy SC. 2016. Complete genome sequence of methanogenic archaeon ISO4-G1, a member of the Methanomassiliicoccales, isolated from a sheep rumen. Genome Announc...
Draft Genome Sequence of the Rumen Methanogen Methanobrevibacter olleyae YLM1Draft Genome Sequence of the Rumen Methanogen Methanobrevibacter olleyae YLM1
07/04/16
Kelly WJ, Li D, Lambie SC, Cox F, Attwood GT, Altermann E, Leahy SC. 2016. Draft genome sequence of the rumen methanogen Methanobrevibacter olleyae YLM1. Genome Announc 4(2):e00232-16. doi:10.1128/genomeA.00232-16. Methanobrevibacter...
The complete genome sequence of Eubacterium limosum SA11, a metabolically versatile rumen acetogen
15/03/16
Kelly, W. J., G. Henderson, et al. (2016). "The complete genome sequence of Eubacterium limosum SA11, a metabolically versatile rumen acetogen." Standards in Genomic Sciences 11(1): 26. Acetogens are a specialized group of anaerobic bacteria able...
Estimates of annual leaching losses of dissolved organic carbon from pastures on Allophanic Soils grazed by dairy cattle, Waikato, New Zealand
15/02/16
Sparling, G. P., E. J. Chibnall, et al. (2016). "Estimates of annual leaching losses of dissolved organic carbon from pastures on Allophanic Soils grazed by dairy cattle, Waikato, New Zealand." New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 59(1):...
Forage brassica: a feed to mitigate enteric methane emissions?
09/02/16
Sun Xuezhao, Pacheco David, Luo Dongwen (2016) Forage brassica: a feed to mitigate enteric methane emissions?. Animal Production Science 56, 451-456. A series of experiments was conducted in New Zealand to evaluate the potential of...
Nitrous oxide emissions from grazing cattle urine patches: Bridging the gap between measurement and stakeholder requirements
31/01/16
F.J. Cook, F.M. Kelliher, Nitrous oxide emissions from grazing cattle urine patches: Bridging the gap between measurement and stakeholder requirements, Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 75, January 2016, Pages 133-152, ISSN 1364-8152,...
A mechanistic model of hydrogen
15/01/16
Yuancheng Wang, Peter H. Janssen, Tammy A. Lynch, Bruce van Brunt, David Pacheco, A mechanistic model of hydrogen–methanogen dynamics in the rumen, Journal of Theoretical Biology, Volume 393, 21 March 2016, Pages 75-81, ISSN 0022-5193...
Report: Monitoring Greenhouse Gas Emissions
15/01/16
Progress over the first year from the Low emissions farm systems for the Maori sector project includes: Development of a typology of Maori farming The collection of farm and GHG emission profiles on 29 Maori farms from around the country,...
Highlights 2015
18/11/15
This publication summaries the NZAGRC annual report 2014/15. More information
Reducing New Zealand's Agricultural Emissions: Gibberellins
18/11/15
This publication provides an overview of the impact of gibberellins on grazed grasslands and the potential for gibberellins to mitigate farm nitrous oxide emissions.
Can pH amendments in grazed pastures help reduce N2O emissions from denitrification? - The effects of liming and urine addition on the completion of denitrification in fluvial and volcanic soils
04/11/15
McMillan, A. M. S., P. Pal, et al. (2016). "Can pH amendments in grazed pastures help reduce N2O emissions from denitrification? - The effects of liming and urine addition on the completion of denitrification in fluvial and volcanic soils." Soil...
Does gibberellin biosynthesis play a critical role in the growth of Lolium perenne? Evidence from a transcriptional analysis of gibberellin and carbohydrate metabolic genes after defoliation
03/11/15
Liu, Q., C. S. Jones, et al. (2015). "Does gibberellin biosynthesis play a critical role in the growth of Lolium perenne? Evidence from a transcriptional analysis of gibberellin and carbohydrate metabolic genes after defoliation." Frontiers in...
Global solutions to reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals are feasible, because the microbes causing the emissions are similar around the world
12/10/15
The New Zealand-led “Global Rumen Census” project analysed the microbes responsible for ethane emissions from a wide range of ruminant animals around the world. The project found imilar bacteria and methanogens dominate in nearly all...
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions: Efficiency in the whole farm system
15/09/15
This publication provides an overview of how the NZAGRC is working with other organisations to understand what efficiencies can be gained on New Zealand's sheep and beef farms.
Buccal swabbing as a non-invasive method to determine bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic microbial community structure in the rumen
14/08/15
Kittelmann, S., M. R. Kirk, et al. (2015). "Buccal Swabbing as a Noninvasive Method To Determine Bacterial, Archaeal, and Eukaryotic Microbial Community Structures in the Rumen." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81(21): 7470-7483. Analysis...
Development of an improved representation of rumen digesta outflow in a mechanistic and dynamic model of a dairy cow, Molly
24/07/15
Pablo Gregorini, Pierre Beukes, Garry Waghorn, David Pacheco, Mark Hanigan, Development of an improved representation of rumen digesta outflow in a mechanistic and dynamic model of a dairy cow, Molly, Ecological Modelling, Volume 313, 2015, Pages...
A modified version of the Molly rumen model to quantify methane emissions from sheep
26/06/15
Vetharaniam, I., R. E. Vibart, et al. (2015). "A modified version of the Molly rumen model to quantify methane emissions from sheep1." Journal of Animal Science 93(7): 3551-3563. We modified the rumen submodel of the Molly dairy cow model to...
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions: Soil Carbon
10/06/15
This publication provides an overview of what soil carbon is, how we can measure and determine the changes over time and what New Zealand's current soil carbon levels are. this publication was produced in collaboration with the University of...
Wide variation in nitrification activity in soil associated with different forage plant cultivars and genotypes
01/06/15
Bowatte, S., Newton, P. C. D., Hoogendoorn, C. J., Hume, D. E., Stewart, A. V., Brock, S. C. and Theobald, P. W. (2016), Wide variation in nitrification activity in soil associated with different forage plant cultivars and genotypes. Grass Forage...
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions: How we measure emissions (edition 2)
28/04/15
This publication provides an overview of the particular measurement techniques used to provide us with more information on New Zealand's GHG emissions. For latest New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory data 1990-2016, go...
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural emissions: What we are doing (Edition 2)
28/04/15
This publication provides an overview of the GHG mitigation work been undertaken in New Zealand.
Application of gibberellins to increase productivity and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in grazed grassland: a review of the evidence
01/04/15
David Whitehead, Grant R. Edwards, Assessment of the application of gibberellins to increase productivity and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in grazed grassland, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 207, 1 September 2015, Pages 40-50,...
Assessment of the application of gibberellins to increase productivity and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in grazed grassland
25/03/15
Emissions of nitrous oxide from grassland systems are attributable largely to the use of nitrogen fertilisers and the excreta deposited by grazing animals. There is increasing interest in using gibberellins as a naturally-occurring growth...
Carbon balance of an intensively grazed temperate dairy pasture over four years
22/03/15
S. Rutledge, P.L. Mudge, D.I. Campbell, S.L. Woodward, J.P. Goodrich, A.M. Wall, M.U.F. Kirschbaum, L.A. Schipper, Carbon balance of an intensively grazed temperate dairy pasture over four years, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume...
From coping to resilience: the role of managed retreat in highly developed coastal regions
01/03/15
Reisinger, A., J. Lawrence, et al. (2015). From coping to resilience: The role of managed retreat in highly developed coastal regions of New Zealand. Climate Change and the Coast, CRC Press: 285-310. Abstract To follow Read more (external paid,...
Biogeography and biophysicochemical traits link N2O emissions, N2O emission potential and microbial communities across New Zealand pasture soils
08/01/15
Sergio E. Morales, Neha Jha, Surinder Saggar, Biogeography and biophysicochemical traits link NO emissions, NO emission potential and microbial communities across New Zealand pasture soils, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Volume 82, 2015, Pages...
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock: Best practice and emerging options
19/12/14
The publication is a joint initiative of the Livestock Research Group (LRG) of the Global Research Alliance and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform. It was commissioned by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research...
NZAGRC-PGgRc Newsletter: edition 1
13/11/14
The first joint newsletter of the NZAGRC-PGgRc is available now. Click here to read
Reducing our agricultural GHG emissions: How we are getting there
14/08/14
Reducing New Zealand's agricultural greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing production gains is what we are working to achieve through the NZAGRC-PGgRc science programme. Find out more about New Zealand's agricultural GHG...
Decreasing methane emissions by feeding grazing ruminants: a fit with productive and financial realities?
15/07/14
Pacheco, D., G. Waghorn, et al. (2014). "Decreasing methane emissions from ruminants grazing forages: a fit with productive and financial realities?" Animal Production Science 54(9): 1141-1154. Ruminants contribute to human food supply and also...
Bacteria on leaves: a previously unrecognised source of N2O in grazed pastures
11/07/14
Bowatte, S., P. C. D. Newton, et al. (2015). "Bacteria on leaves: a previously unrecognised source of N2O in grazed pastures." ISME J 9(1): 265-267. Abstract Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from grazed pastures are a product of microbial...
Methane yield phenotypes linked to differential gene expression in the sheep rumen microbiome
06/06/14
Shi, W., C. Moon, et al. (2014). "Methane yield phenotypes linked to differential gene expression in the sheep rumen microbiome." Genome Research. AbstractRuminant livestock represent the single largest anthropogenic source of the potent...
PGgRc 5 Year Science Progress Report 2007-2012
01/05/14
Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium release their 5 year science progress report for 2007-2012: Developing solutions to reduce New Zealand agricultural emissions. To download the full document contact PGgRc www.pggrc.co.nz
The effects of fresh forages and feed intake level on digesta kinetics and enteric methane emissions from sheep
24/04/14
K.J. Hammond, D. Pacheco, J.L. Burke, J.P. Koolaard, S. Muetzel, G.C. Waghorn, The effects of fresh forages and feed intake level on digesta kinetics and enteric methane emissions from sheep, Animal Feed Science and Technology, Volume 193, 2014,...
Economic and Policy Implications of Alternative GHG Metrics
26/11/12
Agriculture emits a range of greenhouse gases. Evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies requires a way to compare the contribution of individual gases to overall emissions. This is usually done by converting emissions of methane and...
Impacts of Global Climate Change on New Zealand Agriculture
26/11/12
Climate change presents multiple challenges to New Zealand. Some are direct - such as climatic impacts on domestic agricultural production, or domestic climate policies - but further, indirect impacts could come from overseas, via trade, such as...
The Impact of Livestock Agriculture on Climate Change
26/11/12
There is robust scientific evidence that the climate is changing, and that most of the warming observed over the past 50 years is due to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities. This fact sheet summarises why, and how,...
New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerhips in Livestock Emissions Research: Targetted meetings presentation
05/07/12
Recent meetings in Palmerston North, Hamilton and Christchurch to discuss Round two of the New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerships in Livestock Emissions Research were held successfully. A copy of the presentation is available for...
Can we improve interpolation of N2O emission measurements by using environmental factors?
01/07/12
Chiba, M.K., Cichota, R., Vogeler, I. (2012). Can we improve interpolation of N2O emission measurements by using environmental factors? In: Advanced Nutrient Management: Gains from the Past - Goals for the Future. (Eds L.D. Currie and C L....
Changes in denitrification rate and N2O/N2 ratio with varying soil moisture conditions in New Zealand pasture soils
01/07/12
Jha, N., Saggar, S., Tillman, R., & Giltrap, D. (2012). Changes in denitrification rate and N2O/N2 ratio with varying soil moisture conditions in New Zealand pasture soils In: Advanced Nutrient Management: Gains from the Past - Goals for...
Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from a diary farm using a mechanistic, whole farm model and segregated emission factors for New Zealand
12/05/12
Vogeler, I., Beukes, P., Romera, A. & Cichota, R. (2012). Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from a diary farm using a mechanistic, whole farm model and segregated emission factors for New Zealand. Soil Research 50 (3) 188-194 Abstract...
Technical Manual on Respiration Chamber Designs
24/04/12
Technical Manual on Respiration Chamber Designs Released: March 2012 Edited by: Cesar Pinares & Garry Waghorn Download here
Influence of pore size distribution and soil water content on nitrous oxide emissions
28/03/12
van der Weerden, T. J., F. M. Kelliher, et al. (2012). "Influence of pore size distribution and soil water content on nitrous oxide emissions." Soil Research 50(2): 125-135. Abstract Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils have been...
Effects of trampling of a wet dairy pasture soil on soil porosity and on mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions by a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide
08/03/12
Ball, B.C., Cameron, K.C., Di, H.J. and Moore, S. (2012). Effects of trampling of a wet dairy pasture soil on soil porosity and on mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions by a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide. Soil Use and Management....
Rumen microbial (meta)genomics and its application to ruminant production
01/03/12
Morgavi, D., Kelly, W., Janssen, P., & Attwood, G. (2013). Rumen microbial (meta)genomics and its application to ruminant production. Animal, 7(S1), 184-201 Abstract Meat and milk produced by ruminants are important agricultural...
Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics Whitepaper
29/06/11
Following the May 2011 Workshop in Auckland, New Zealand; a White Paper was prepared for the New Zealand Government, whcih discussed how a network of scientists working in the area of Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics, might progress the...
Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics Workshop Report
29/06/11
Download the report (1.69MB)
N2O Chamber Methodology Guideline Workshop Report
29/06/11
Download this report (0.57MB)
RMG Network Whitepaper
29/06/11
Download this report (0.27MB)
Rumen Taxonomy Framework Report
29/06/11
Download this report (0.44MB)
SF6 Tracer Techniques Guidelines Workshop Report
29/06/11
Download this report (0.55MB)
Exploring rumen methanogen genomes to identify targets for methane mitigation strategies
23/05/11
G.T. Attwood, E. Altermann, W.J. Kelly, S.C. Leahy, L. Zhang, M. Morrison, Exploring rumen methanogen genomes to identify targets for methane mitigation strategies, Animal Feed Science and Technology, Volume 166, 2011, Pages 65-75, ISSN...
Highlights 2010
31/12/10
Download this report (8.81MB) 2010 science publications Kelliher, F. M., & Clark, H. (2010). Methane emissions from bison-An historic herd estimate for the North American Great Plains. Agricultural and Forest...
Uncertainties of global warming metrics: CO2 and CH4
30/07/10
Reisinger, A., M. Meinshausen, M. Manning, and G. Bodeker (2010), Uncertainties of global warming metrics: CO2 and CH4, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L14707, doi:10.1029/2010GL043803. We present a comprehensive...
Chapter 1 Tourism and Climate Change
30/06/10
Christian Schott, , Andy Reisinger, , Taciano L. Milfont, (2010), Chapter 1 Tourism and Climate Change, in Christian Schott (ed.) Tourism and the Implications of Climate Change: Issues and Actions (Bridging...
NZAGRC Business Plan 2010
29/03/10
Download the full Business Plan (1.26MB) Executive Summary About half of New Zealand's GHG emissions come from agriculture. At the same time, about 44% of New Zealand's merchandise export earnings also come from agriculture....
NZAGRC Science & Strategy Plan 2010
29/03/10
Download the full Science & Strategy Plan (0.62MB) To view our current research objectives go to Our Research
Strategies to reduce methane emissions from farmed ruminants grazing on pasture
26/03/10
Bryce M. Buddle, Michel Denis, Graeme T. Attwood, Eric Altermann, Peter H. Janssen, Ron S. Ronimus, Cesar S. Pinares-Patiño, Stefan Muetzel, D. Neil Wedlock, Strategies to reduce methane emissions from farmed ruminants grazing on pasture,...
Methane emissions from bison-An historic herd estimate for the North American Great Plains
29/12/09
Kelliher, F. M., & Clark, H. (2010). Methane emissions from bison-An historic herd estimate for the North American Great Plains. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 150(3), 473-477. AbstractEnteric methane (CH4) emissions were estimated from...
