Officials from the departments of agriculture, environment and water have visited the dryland farming property of this year’s NSW Farmer of Year winner, Michael O’Brien, of Walgett, NSW.

"I’m only one of the many encouraging examples of farmers capturing and storing carbon through improved pasture management and sustainable grazing practices," Mr O’Brien said.

"I adopt no-till farming, which adds to the protection of carbon in the soils. I boost efficiencies in production and minimise input wastage through using improved technology."

He also utilises rotational grazing techniques for livestock.

The Cattle Council says the activities on Mr O'Brien's farm are only the "tip of the iceburg" of the potential for beef producers to participate in managing Australia’s greenhouse gases given that they occupy 43 per cent of Australia’s landmass.

"Under the Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) there are no viable abatement options for beef producers and farmers such as Michael," CCA deputy director Jed Matz said.

"However, they hold incredible potential in managing GHG emissions as stewards of the land."

However, under the current international carbon accounting rules a lot of the good work done by farmers is unrecognised.

The Cattle Council wants the government to adopt policies to provide the 86,000 beef properties in Australia with incentives to better manage GHG emissions.

"Complementary policies that take into account producers’ positive contribution on-farm will avoid the inevitable outcome under the CPRS of producers cutting production to cut emissions," Mr Matz said.

"In addition, productivity improvements, such as more effective use of feed, may already provide a financial incentive to kick-start a complementary policy option."