In this week’s Rural Report, Don Nicolson and Jaspreet Boparai cover a wide range of rural and environmental stories with their signature candid commentary. Top of the agenda is promising research by AgResearch into using milk samples to identify low-methane cows, which could help farmers lower emissions without extra hassle. The team also delve into the growing unease over farmland being converted into pine plantations for carbon credits, with concerns about rural job losses and policy loopholes. Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, adds to the conversation by urging reforms to New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme, calling for genuine reductions over accounting manoeuvres. Meanwhile, a proposed global shipping emissions tax could spell trouble for NZ exporters, and a passionate Waitaki farmer slams both government and industry leaders for failing rural communities on methane policy.