Grassby Carbon Project 1

Grassby Carbon Project 1 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Mid North region of South Australia, approximately 45km northeast of Port Pirie and north of Gladstone. Registered on May 20, 2022, the project covers a land area of 251.41 hectares. The region is a well-established agricultural zone, predominantly utilized for mixed farming operations that combine cereal cropping with sheep and cattle grazing.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method requires the project proponent to establish a baseline of soil carbon stocks through sampling and then implement new management activities to increase those stocks over time. Specific activities for this project include applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, establishing permanent pasture on previously cropped or fallow land, and altering grazing intensity to promote vegetation cover. Credits are awarded based on the measured increase in soil carbon relative to the baseline, accounting for any project emissions.

The environmental setting involves a semi-arid to Mediterranean climate typical of South Australia's Mid North, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 350-450mm, falling predominantly in winter. The local soils are likely to be red-brown earths or calcareous clay loams, which are characteristic of the Crystal Brook and surrounding land systems. These soils are generally fertile but can be prone to erosion or structural decline if over-cultivated, making the switch to permanent pasture and improved soil health a valuable ecological improvement for the property.

An interesting aspect of this project is its focus on nutrient management alongside grazing changes. By correcting material deficiencies in the soil through targeted fertilization, the project aims to boost plant growth (biomass), which in turn feeds the soil carbon cycle, a critical strategy in Australian soils that are often ancient and nutrient-poor.