Howson Carbon Project 3

Howson Carbon Project 3 is a soil carbon sequestration project located at the 'Tarramba' property, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the town of Banana in Central Queensland. Registered in March 2022, the project covers a project area of roughly 258 hectares. The project is part of a larger aggregation of soil carbon projects managed by the Gunthorpe Cattle Company, a family-run grazing enterprise operating in the Banana Shire.

The project operates under the Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models methodology (2021). This method rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through improved land management practices. Unlike vegetation methods that model growth, this methodology requires physical soil sampling to establish a baseline and subsequent measurement rounds to verify carbon increases.

The region is characterized by a semi-arid to sub-tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 620mm, which is summer-dominant. The landscape consists of grazing lands typical of the Brigalow Belt, often featuring clay and loam soils (such as Vertosols) that support cattle production. The Gunthorpe family runs a Brahman stud and commercial herd on the property.

Project activities focus on intensifying grazing management and rejuvenating pastures. This involves shifting to time-controlled rotational grazing to allow for pasture rest and recovery, supported by new fencing and water infrastructure. Additionally, the project includes seeding legumes and grasses to improve biomass and soil health. The broader Howson Carbon Project aggregation is notable for being among the first under the 2021 methodology to successfully generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) within two years of operation.