Foxton Carbon Project

The Foxton Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located near the town of Carrick, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Launceston in Tasmania. Registered in November 2020, the project encompasses a 567-hectare area within the Northern Midlands region, a hub for Tasmania's mixed farming operations. The landscape in this district is characterized by flat to rolling plains typically used for extensive grazing (sheep and cattle) and cropping.

The project operates under the 2018 Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems methodology. This framework requires the proponent to establish a baseline of soil carbon levels through physical core sampling (typically to a depth of one meter) before implementing new land management activities designed to increase carbon storage. For the Foxton Carbon Project, these activities focus on altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing. This approach aims to improve soil health and plant growth, thereby drawing more carbon from the atmosphere into the soil profile.

Environmentally, the Carrick and Northern Midlands area is classified as having a cool temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 600–700mm. The soils in this region are often variable, ranging from the sandy loams typical of the Midlands to the clay-rich Vertosols (often referred to locally as "Cressy soils") and Ferrosols found in surrounding pockets. These soil types generally respond well to regenerative grazing practices that maintain ground cover and encourage root depth.

An interesting note regarding this project is its likely connection to broader industry trials in the region. Agriprove, the project proponent, has identified a site in Carrick as one of its "Producer Demonstration Sites" in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). These demonstration sites typically trial multi-species pastures and high-density rotational grazing to quantify their impact on soil carbon accumulation, suggesting the Foxton project may be employing these advanced agronomic techniques.