Drakeford Carbon Project

Drakeford Carbon Project is a soil carbon project located approximately 25km west of Temora in the Riverina region of New South Wales. It was registered in September 2021 and covers 257.94ha.

Soil carbon projects under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models (2021) methodology involve storing carbon in agricultural soils. Standard requirements dictate that proponents must undertake eligible management activities to build soil carbon, measuring the carbon sequestration through a combination of physical soil sampling and modelling.

The Riverina area is known for mixed agricultural land use, predominantly dryland cropping (such as wheat and canola) and sheep grazing. The region typically experiences a semi-arid to temperate climate with moderate rainfall. Soils in this area are generally red-brown earths, clay loams, and sandy loams.

This project aims to increase carbon in the soil by applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address material deficiencies, retaining stubble after a crop is harvested, and converting from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices. Originally registered under the 2018 methodology, the project method was varied in August 2024 to transition to the newer 2021 measurement and models determination.