The future of sustainable farmlands

Is the environment changing faster than we can adapt to? The emissions trading scheme incentivised livestock farmers to rid their land of animals in favour of converting it for pine forestry. However, the silt and leftover slash used to make those forests are the same things that wrecked havoc on horticultural lands during Cyclone Gabrielle. Alison Dewes and John Burke are two farmers who feel they've adopted a much better, and more sustainable farming practice - converting some of their grass paddocks back into native forest and wetlands. They talk with Bernard Hickey about the benefits and hidden profits that have come with this decision, and how government could best write policy for farmers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices