Soil carbon to reach carbon neutral
| Project start date: | 02 April 2023 |
| Project end date: | 01 April 2029 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Grass-fed Beef |
| Relevant regions: | National, Temperate |
| Site location: | Taramba Qld, Dungog NSW and Carrick TAS |
Summary
Agriprove is partnering with Meat & Livestock Australia to deliver this 6 year Integrated R&D Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project.
The project supports the Australian red meat industry in transitioning to carbon neutral by 2030 through growing understanding of how soil carbon impacts carbon intensity of red meat enterprises. Three AgriProve partnering producers at Tarramba, Queensland, Dungog, NSW, and Carrick, Tasmania are hosting demonstration sites to trial management practices that sequester carbon in soils.
The demonstration sites will implement multi-species pastures and test two different management techniques against a control plot, including different grazing management approaches, sowing techniques, soil ameliorants and aeration to determine best practice management of multi-species for increasing soil carbon.
The project will use AgriProve’s scalable and innovative approach to soil carbon sampling which includes annual sampling of one metre soil cores alongside remote sensing NDRE and NDVI satellite imagery, and NIR Spectroscopy. Regular in-field pasture monitoring will record changes to production resulting from improved soil health from new practices. The project also includes whole farm carbon accounting to highlight how soil carbon sequestration under the Australian Government ACCU Scheme can support livestock enterprises in reaching and moving beyond net zero carbon intensity.
The project will engage a minimum of 6 Core and 204 Observer producers with over 1589 cattle, 1400 sheep and 95,000ha under management.
Objectives
By March 2029, at Tarramba, QLD, Dungog, NSW, and Carrick, TAS:
1. 100% of core producers and 25% observer producers complete whole farm carbon accounting and understand how their soil carbon project effects their carbon footprint/intensity, carbon neutrality, and profitability.
2. Annual soil carbon measurement demonstrates multi-species pastures increase soil carbon stocks by at least 3 CO2 e/ha/year and increase pasture productivity by 10% at three sites.
3. Extension activities result in 100% core producers and at least 25% observer producers improving knowledge and skills in best practice management of multi-species pastures and intending to adopt, implement, or improve use of multi-species pastures.
4. Three in-depth case studies analysing cost-benefit show a positive return on investment at three sites.
Progress
AgriProve Carbon Builders project ‘Soil Carbon to Reach Carbon Neutral’ is well underway with the three demonstration sites established, one at Tarramba, QLD, Dungog, NSW and Carrick, TAS.
The project aims to demonstrate how soil carbon can support red meat enterprises to be achieve carbon neutrality, and the effectiveness of multi-species pastures, holistic grazing management and other treatments for soil carbon sequestration. The QLD site has not yet been sown with multi-species as the season has been too dry.
Demonstration Site summary:
TARRAMBA – QLD
Adam and Tracy Gunthorpe of Tarramba and Walloon properties operate a beef cattle operation and a genetics business at Banana near Rockhampton, QLD. The Gunthorpe’s utilise rotational holistic grazing management alongside multi-species pastures and utilise genetics to maximise body condition under this system. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge with the industry.
The property also hosts a soil carbon project under the Emissions Reduction Fund, established in 2022. Adam Gunthorpe is a founding member and vice-president of Frontier Genetics, a collaboration of Queensland based brahman breeders.
Demonstration
The site was established in September 2023, and will be sown with multi-species pastures with a minimum-till drill in summer of 2023 due to dry conditions. The 50 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments:
- Grazing management with regular recovery periods (45 to 80 days)
- Grazing management with long recovery periods (120 to 180 days)
- Control with standard grazing management for the region
Follow
Facebook: Tarramba Red Brahmans
DUNGOG – NSW
John Monaghan and business partner Alan Smith manage Rocking Chair Farms at Dungog in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Rocking chair farm is a mixed livestock enterprise consisting of beef cattle, fat lambs, chickens and small scale horticulture.
Rocking Chair Farm is also participating in a soil carbon project under the Emission Reduction Fund, established in 2021 which generated 2110 carbon credits in September 2023. John and Alan are passionate about sharing their knowledge on regenerative practices and share regular updates on their Instagram.
Demonstration site
The site was established in June 2023 and sown with multi-species pastures. The two treatment plots are grazed using holistic management principles with short duration intensive grazing followed by long recovery periods for full plant recovery prior to re-grazing. The 7 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments:
- Multi-species pastures sown with aerator and holistic grazing management
- Multi-species pastures sown with aerator, treated with SoilLife biological soil input and holistic grazing management
- Control with no pasture improvement and standard grazing for the region
Follow
Instagram: rockingchairfarmdungog
CARRICK – TAS
Marcus and Eleanor James manage Junction Farm, a mixed livestock enterprise at Carrick on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. The operation includes up to 100 Angus cross breeding cows and Charolais bulls, alongside 1400 Merino cross ewes. The business has diversified to include a horse agistment, tourism and education enterprise.
Since 2020 the property has participated in a soil carbon project under the Emission Reduction Fund, with much of the project area on former potato cropping land.
Most recently the farm has undertaken large biodiversity project as part of the Federal Government’s Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot, protecting over 600ha of vegetation, planting more than 150,000 native plants trees, shrubs and grasses, along with extensive gorse and hawthorn control.
Marcus is Chair of the Sustainability Committee of Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and on sits on the Primary Employers Tasmania Committee and is passionate about progressing the industry to a sustainable future.
Demonstration site
The demonstration site was established in October 2023 and sown with multi-species pastures with a minimum-till drill. The 6 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments:
- Grazing management to maximise biomass and biomass to ground contact
- Grazing management to maximise photosynthesis
- Control of standard management for the region
