Barfield Station Soil Carbon project

Barfield Station Soil Carbon project is a soil carbon sequestration project located approximately 25km southeast of the town of Banana in Central Queensland. Registered in April 2023, the project covers a project area of 1,149 hectares within the broader Barfield Station property. The region is situated in the Shire of Banana, an area predominantly utilized for dryland cropping and beef cattle grazing, known for its significant contribution to Queensland's agricultural output.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits the measured increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks over time. Unlike model-only methods, this approach requires physical soil sampling to establish a baseline and subsequent rounds of sampling to verify sequestration. To achieve this, the proponent, Melinee Fay Leather of Leather Cattle Co, is implementing land management activities such as establishing and maintaining pasture on previously limited land. A key component of their strategy involves the use of Leucaena, a deep-rooted legume forage crop that improves soil health, sequesters carbon, and lowers livestock methane emissions.

Environmentally, the site lies within the Brigalow Belt bioregion, which is characterized by fertile clay and loamy soils capable of supporting high-quality pasture. The area experiences a sub-tropical, semi-arid climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 650mm, though this can be variable. The Leathers employ rotational grazing and advanced technologies, such as satellite biomass mapping and solar water pumps, to manage ground cover and soil moisture effectively in these conditions.

The project is part of a high-profile sustainability initiative by Leather Cattle Co, which has received global recognition, including the "Success Through Collaboration Award" at the Global Conference on Sustainable Beef. The family purchased the historic station in 2015 and has since integrated it into their organic, EU-accredited beef operation. They are also vocal advocates for the Australian red meat industry’s target to become carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30), using Barfield Station as a testing ground for verifying environmental credentials.