Guilfoyle Carbon Project 4

Guilfoyle Carbon Project 4 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Mallee region of Victoria, approximately 12km northeast of the township of Birchip. Registered in September 2022, the project covers a project area of roughly 148 hectares. The broader Mallee region is a significant agricultural hub, predominantly utilized for dryland cropping (wheat, barley, canola, and lentils) and mixed livestock grazing.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method requires the proponent to establish a baseline of soil carbon and then implement new management activities to sequester additional carbon over a 25-year or 100-year permanence period. For this specific project, the nominated activities include the application of synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, the retention of crop stubble to protect topsoil and retain moisture, and the conversion from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices. These activities are designed to minimize soil disturbance and increase organic matter input, which is then verified through soil sampling and modelling to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).

Environmentally, the site is situated in a semi-arid zone with an average annual rainfall of approximately 375mm. The soils in the Birchip area are typically classified as clay loams or calcareous earths (Calcarosols and Sodosols). These soil types are generally fertile but can be subject to subsoil constraints such as sodicity or boron toxicity, making the management of soil health and organic matter crucial for both carbon sequestration and crop productivity. The project is developed by Agriprove Solutions, Australia's largest soil carbon project developer, known for integrating remote sensing and soil testing to streamline the credit generation process.