An investment in changing the way we farm

The Government's released its Emissions Reduction Plan today, and did not take on recommendations to chop dairy, beef and sheep numbers by 15 per cent this decade.

Instead - it's putting money toward changing the way we farm - including establishing a Centre for Climate Action on Agricultural Emissions.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says genetic modification will be an important area to consider.

He says AgResearch developed a rye-grass years ago which would reduce emissions by 20 percent and nitrogen leaching by 20 or 30 percent.