J&J Grazing Soil Carbon Project

J&J Grazing Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon project located approximately 15km east of Baralaba and 40km north of Moura in the Banana Shire region of Central Queensland. It was registered in July 2022 and covers an extensive project area of 1,959.54 hectares.

The Central Queensland region is renowned for its strong agricultural output, with the surrounding land use predominantly dedicated to beef cattle grazing, cropping, and several large-scale coal mining operations. The local environment features a semi-arid to subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, typically receiving an average annual rainfall between 680mm and 714mm. Local soil profiles in this district generally consist of heavy vertosols (cracking black clays), fertile brigalow scrub soils, and alluvial deposits surrounding the nearby Dawson River catchment.

Soil carbon projects under the 2021 Measurement and Models methodology aim to store atmospheric carbon in agricultural soils through the introduction of new, eligible land management activities. Standard requirements for this methodology involve rigorous baseline soil sampling to establish initial carbon levels, followed by subsequent physical measurements and statistical modeling to accurately calculate net carbon sequestration over the project's lifetime.

To build these carbon stocks, the J&J Grazing Soil Carbon Project employs a multi-faceted approach to land management. The proponent, J&J Grazing Co Pty Ltd, will be altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of their grazing, often achieved through rotational or time-controlled grazing, to promote greater vegetation cover and improve overall soil health. Furthermore, the project addresses material soil deficiencies through the application of targeted nutrients (synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers) and involves planting legume species into the pasture systems. The integration of legumes alongside targeted nutrient application is a powerful strategy in Brigalow ecosystems to naturally fix nitrogen and accelerate the long-term drawdown of organic carbon into root systems. The project is partnered with Carbon Link Operations Pty Ltd, a specialized agricultural carbon developer that frequently champions regenerative grazing techniques across Australia.