8 June 2011

A new software product has been designed to help farmers by taking the hassle and cost out of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Resolution® ETS is a decision making and returns submission tool that streamlines the process from beginning to end.

Participants are required to report carbon dioxide emissions or removals to the Government by filing emissions returns in certain situations. There is a lot to consider in determining how the ETS applies, deciding whether to join and keeping track of submission deadlines.

Some farmers can face a difficult and time-consuming task if their forested ‘carbon sinks’ are spread out over a large areas of land or are not a core part of farm activities. These customers are the motivation for offering the introductory version at no charge, says AgResearch Chief Information Officer Phillip Lindsay.

“Creating benefits for the pastoral sector is our core business. A real benefit for farmers is being able to save the money that would be needed for farm consultant fees and mapping services and instead put it where it’s needed most – on the farm.”

Resolution® ETS helps farmers to review their options, particularly with pre-1990 forestry where close-off dates are approaching and liability costs can result if no action is taken. The software will indicate whether an exemption is possible and highlight the close-off date.

If a return needs to be submitted, the user can mark out forestry plots using a simple aerial photograph. Resolution® ETS Farmer allows an image to be captured using Google Maps, while the full standard version supports the upload of ortho-corrected images, spatial files and GPS points. Notes can be entered about each plot and calculations are done automatically.

The greatest strength of Resolution® ETS lies in the inclusion of MAF criteria, meaning minimal prior knowledge of the scheme is required.

“The software makes it easy for farmers to enter the required data using their own knowledge of their farm. The software produces the finished output file in the format required by MAF.” says developer Paul Smale.

The Resolution® development team based at AgResearch’s Invermay campus is a leader in farm mapping software, having produced the popular Resolution® farm management package, now in its third edition.
“Our team has years of experience developing farm software, and Resolution® ETS is the result of a great deal of research and planning”, says Information Solutions Manager Greg Peyroux.

Resolution® ETS Farmer is provided for existing Resolution® customers on a support package, or new users can register over the phone. The full version of Resolution® ETS is available for an annual subscription fee, and low-cost support packages and professional services are also available. On-demand assistance can be provided by web conferencing to any customer with a broadband connection.

For more information, see www.resolutionmap.com

ENDS

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