Carbon Agronomy

Soil organic matter is the single most important soil property that farmers can have influence over through management. Higher soil organic matter levels translate into higher and more consistent yields, and higher profits in the long run.

Healthy soils mean healthier food and healthier people. There are also environmental benefits, such as greater biodiversity. The demand for carbon credits worldwide is growing as we move into a new era of valuing natural resource capital.

This presents opportunities for all farmers (cropping, grazing, large or small scale) to generate a new income stream by farming carbon that will diversify and stabilise farm income. Soil organic carbon is directly related to soil health – the higher the soil carbon levels, the greater the water holding capacity and infiltration, nutrient availability, and soil biology. When water and rainfall are used more effectively growing seasons extend and farms become more resilient and drought tolerant. Active management practices can build soil organic carbon and farmers can be paid for the additional carbon they produce.