Over the Fence

Alarming reading this week about the possible effects of the Federal Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme ( here after known as the CPRS ) on the Australian Beef Industry.

The “Boffins” tell us that adult cattle emit about 74 kgs a year of methane, dairy cows about 115 kgs of methane and sheep 6.6kgs of methane. The upshot of this is that a cattle herd of 1000 breeders and 850 calves would produce 2817 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year. This would convert to approx $30,000 in the first year, assuming the permits cost $80 per tonne. As prices are expected to go to $200 per tonne one could only think that this would send a lot of beef properties broke. One really thinks, that if there are murmurs about bringing this tax in, the Agricultural and Beef Industries especially should start haunting a few of our decision makers to get some guarantees. The idea of this thinly disguised tax, is absolutely ridiculous, and is only another burden for the Beef Producer.