Australian scientist and conservationist Professor Tim Flannery - an advocate of farmers "sinking" atmospheric carbon in their soil though biological management - will be keynote speaker at the second annual Soil Carbon Conference starting at Te Papa, on September 15.
Prof Flannery has argued that with the right management processes increases of up to 3 percent extra carbon may be stored in pasture soils.
"This happens largely because the soil is protected from erosion and grass cover increases, allowing more root growth," he said.
Soil agronomist Nicole Masters - who works for the conference backer, Integrity Soils - said that if New Zealand converted only 0.2 percent of its soils each year to biological farming practices it could offset the equivalent to the nation's entire carbon dioxide emissions.
The company promotes the use of mineral and microbial applications to soils to enhance nutrient quality and plant and animal health, and said in a statement that it was responding to demand for more information related to risk management and future opportunities linked to climate change.
"There is a need to assess the future challenges and help develop the right strategies that will lead to well informed long term approaches to land management in New Zealand," Ms Masters said in a statement.
"Tim Flannery is at the top of his field and we hope that he will attract not only established farmers, but also the younger members of the sector, keen to see a clear vision for the future of farming in New Zealand," she said.
The conference would provide a forum for discussions around potential benefits of adopting healthy soil practices, including increased profitability due to reductions in water, pest, weed and disease.
"We have the chance to lead the world in environmentally responsible agriculture and as a result, to increase the marketability of our farming exports."
Another Australian scientist, soil carbon expert Dr Christine Jones will also speak at the conference, on how carbon could be sequestered quickly, while also building resilience into farming operations.
NZPA