Farm Tender

Tas Ag Co and AgriProve register the first soil carbon project in Tasmania

  • By: "Farm Tender" News
  • Jun 03, 2020
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By Agriprove

Local beef brand, the Tasmanian Agricultural Company has become the first farm in the state to register a soil carbon project under the Australian Government’s $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

The business has baselined its Central North property through AgriProve, Australia’s leading soil carbon developer. Agriprove is a one stop shop for soil carbon, taking farmers on the journey from building soil carbon on-farm, to carbon credit sales.

In a world first last year, AgriProve and its flagship Soilkee project in Victoria were issued Australia’s first soil carbon credits under the ERF. The project has generated 10 carbon credits per ha/year in its first two years and dry matter yields of double the district average. Tasmania is ideally positioned for soil carbon to scale.

In time, as Tas Ag Co continues to build its soil carbon levels through regenerative farming, the property will be re-tested, with all carbon credits counting towards Australia’s emissions reduction target under the United Nations Paris agreement.

Managing Director of AgriProve, Matthew Warnken said, “Building soil carbon improves productivity and generates new income streams for farmers from the sale of carbon credits. It does this by improving water holding capacity, making nutrients more accessible and stimulating life in the soil.”

The Tasmanian Agricultural Company, which produces regeneratively farmed grass-fed Wagyu, uses a variety of non conventional management methods to produce beyond sustainable beef.

“We’re already seeing a steady increase in our productivity as a direct result of our focus on soil carbon. It’s exciting because it’s not just about improving environmental health. Increasing soil health means we’re increasing plant health, which increases animal health and in turn, the weight gain of our cattle. It’s a win-win,” said Tas Ag Co Managing Director, Sam Trethewey.

Sam and  Steph Trethewey founders of Tas Ag Co have registered Tasmanias first soil carbon project with AgriProve

“AgriProve is offering a $2000 discount on the cost of baseline soil sampling for the first 50 Tasmanian farmers who register a soil carbon project with us. We have also established a state-based team to support farmers to regenerate their soils and undertake projects,” Mr Warnken said.

“Farmers will be able to access a variety of resources, including the ‘Soilkee Pasture Renovator’, which is an ingenious approach to mixed species forages which builds soil carbon. Our Tasmanian team of specialists will work with producers on things like customised seed blends too,” said Mr Warnken.

AgripPove will host two online webinars for Tasmanian farmers interested in running their own soil carbon project on the evenings of 16 and 18 June. Please visit here to register.

Media contacts Alexandra de Blas M: 0414 509 404 E: Alexandra.deblas@agriprove.io

BACKGROUND

Why Soil Carbon Matters

The Upper Metre of the World’s Soils contain more carbon than the world’s vegetation and atmosphere combined. Even proportionally small changes in the amount of soil carbon could have large effects on the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere thus slowing or reversing the rate of global warming.

Soil Organic Carbon the amount of carbon in the soil directly affects agricultural productivity – the higher the soil carbon levels, the greater the yields. Soil carbon improves water holding capacity, nutrient availability for soils, and stimulates soil biology. When water and rainfall are used more effectively growing seasons extend and farms become more drought tolerant and resilient.

An Appetite for Change is evident in the farming community and landholders are showing a strong interest in soil carbon and regenerative agriculture. “AgriProve is customising the program to farms in different regions and contexts which is building more experience and confidence in the ability of farmers to participate in soil carbon projects. More than 110 farmers have registered with AgriProve for soil carbon projects and we expect this to scale rapidly.

Four Step Process: Soil carbon uses a measurement-based method and AgriProve makes it a simple four step process. This entails: 1) register 2) baseline existing soil carbon levels 3) implement a new activity to build soil carbon and 4) measure soil carbon levels again. AgriProve does all the paperwork and reporting to pay farmers for their soil carbon credits.

For more information call 1300 GO SOIL (1300 467 645) or visit www.agriprove.io

Revenue from Carbon Credits ranges from $50 to $100 per hectare at each measurement round, depending on the amount of carbon stored.

The Soilkee Pasture Renovator provides an elegant solution to mixed species pasture cropping that combines cultivation, mulching, aeration and mixed species seeding to grow better quality feed while building soil carbon. This ‘salad bowl’ approach provides balanced nutrition, feed diversity, organic matter and nitrogen from legume nodulation. Seeding annual crops into perennial pasture improves soil health by promoting beneficial bacteria, fungi and worms.

Mixed-species Forages: Sowing a mix of annual fodder crops into permanent pastures covers the summer and winter feed gap – giving the herd feed when pastures are not usually growing. The annual crops generate about a 30 per cent increase in dry matter yields. Inputs of greenhouse gas emitting nitrogenous fertiliser are minimised or totally reduced.

The AgriProve 20/20 Olsen Prize for Soil Carbon Farming recognises the Olsen family who were issued with the first soil carbon credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) in March 2019 and gives farmers an incentive to match the Olsen’s achievement.

Industry Development

Regenerative Agriculture: The amount of carbon in the soil is in effect a scorecard for the success of regenerative farming practices. Soil carbon provides a pathway to commercialise regenerative agriculture to enable producers to access a premium supply chain while the public gains access to more nutritious food and a regenerating environment.

Australian Carbon Farming Projections: The Carbon Farming Industry Roadmap forecasts that by 2030 the industry could deliver up to 21,000 jobs and $24 billion to regional and national economies.

Building Soil Carbon Aligns with industry initiatives such as Meat and Livestock Australia’s Carbon Neutral Plan by 2030 (CN30).      

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