Davidson Carbon Project 1

Davidson Carbon Project 1 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Southern Mallee region of South Australia, approximately 55km south of the township of Pinnaroo and 60km north of Bordertown. Registered in February 2022, the project covers a land area of roughly 357 hectares. The region is predominantly utilized for dryland cropping and grazing, sitting near the margin between the Mallee and the Upper South East agricultural districts.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models) Methodology Determination 2021. This methodology credits landholders for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels through changes in land management. Standard requirements involve establishing a baseline of SOC through soil core sampling, followed by the implementation of new activities, such as altering stocking density, applying nutrients to address deficiencies, and rejuvenating pastures, to sequester carbon. Credits are issued based on the measured increase in soil carbon over time compared to the baseline.

Environmentally, the site is situated in a semi-arid zone with an average annual rainfall generally between 350mm and 450mm. The soil composition in this part of the Mallee region typically consists of sandy loams or deep sands overlying clay subsoils (often referred to as texture-contrast soils). These soils can be naturally low in organic matter, making them suitable candidates for carbon farming activities that aim to build soil health and resilience against wind erosion.

The project is managed by AgriProve Solutions, a prominent carbon project developer in Australia known for its "soiltech" approach. AgriProve typically utilizes digital twin technology and remote sensing to monitor project performance. By addressing nutrient deficiencies and optimizing grazing intensity, the project aims not only to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) but also to improve the overall productivity and drought tolerance of the farming system.