Howson Carbon Project 2

Howson Carbon Project 2 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Banana Shire of Central Queensland, approximately 25km south of the town of Banana and 40km northeast of Theodore. Registered in March 2022, the project covers approximately 222 hectares of grazing land. The site is part of the larger "Tarramba" property operated by the Gunthorpe family, which is known for its Brahman and Brangus cattle stud operations.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which utilizes a hybrid approach of physical soil sampling and model-based estimation to measure carbon stock changes. To sequester carbon, the project activities focus on regenerative grazing strategies, specifically altering stocking rates and grazing intensity to increase ground cover and biomass. The proponents utilize rotational grazing, supported by improved water infrastructure and fencing, alongside the re-establishment of pastures with legumes and multi-species fodder to boost soil health.

The region typically experiences a sub-tropical to semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 620mm. The landscape in the Dawson River Valley is characterized by fertile soil types, predominantly Vertosols (cracking clay soils) and Brigalow soils, which are well-suited to the project's focus on deep-rooted pasture systems.

Notably, the broader Howson Carbon Project (an aggregation of 15 separate project areas, including this one) serves as a Producer Demonstration Site for Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). It has gained industry attention for achieving rapid credit issuance, generating ACCUs within just two years of operation rather than the standard five, and for successfully selling credits through the private marketplace Clima.