Boorook Carbon Project

The Boorook Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project primarily located at "Boorook," a historic grazing property near Woorndoo, approximately 30km north of Mortlake and 60km northeast of Warrnambool in Victoria’s Western District. Registered in February 2021, the project covers a total area of 2,059 hectares. The project operates on land known for high-productivity agriculture, specifically beef cattle grazing, situated within the renowned Victorian volcanic plains.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon (Measurement and Models) methodology. This method credits abatement by measuring increases in soil organic carbon stocks resulting from changes in land management. Standard activities for this project type include altering stocking densities, introducing rotational grazing, and applying nutrients, such as synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers (including compost), to address soil deficiencies. Specifically, the Boorook project integrates regenerative practices like high-density rotational grazing, multi-species pasture cropping, and the application of compost to improve soil resilience and water-holding capacity.

The region is characterized by a temperate climate with high winter-dominant rainfall, creating ideal conditions for pasture growth. The local environment features fertile, heavy basalt clay soils derived from the area’s volcanic history. These soils are naturally productive but can be prone to compaction, a challenge this project aims to address through deep-rooted pasture species and improved soil structure.

The Boorook property has been owned by the Allen family for over a century and is notable for being recognized as a McDonald's "Flagship Farm", one of only a few globally, due to its leadership in sustainability and animal welfare. The proponents, David and Nick Allen, manage the operation with a focus on carbon neutrality, utilizing data-driven cattle genetics to improve feed efficiency and reduce methane intensity alongside their soil carbon sequestration efforts.