Spence Carbon Project

Spence Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration project located near Bishopsbourne, approximately 20km southwest of Launceston in the Northern Midlands of Tasmania. Registered in December 2020, the project covers a 564-hectare area within a region renowned for its mixed agricultural productivity.

The project operates under the Measurement of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Systems methodology. This framework requires landholders to establish a baseline of soil carbon stocks through sampling, followed by the implementation of new management activities designed to increase carbon levels. In this specific instance, the project focuses on altering the stocking rate, duration, or intensity of grazing to encourage vegetation growth and soil organic matter retention. Credits (ACCUs) are issued based on the measured increase in soil carbon over time, typically assessed in five-year intervals.

The Northern Midlands region is characterized by a cool temperate climate with a winter-dominant rainfall pattern, averaging between 600mm and 700mm annually. The landscape supports extensive grazing and cropping operations, with soils in the Bishopsbourne and Carrick area generally consisting of fertile Dermosols (clay-loams) and sandy loams, which are highly responsive to regenerative agricultural practices. The proponent, AgriProve, is a significant operator in this region and has established several demonstration sites in Tasmania to showcase how multi-species pastures and grazing management can improve soil health.