Rankin Carbon Project 1

Rankin Carbon Project 1 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Tatiara District of South Australia, situated approximately 25 kilometers northeast of the regional center of Bordertown and directly adjacent to the Victorian border. Registered on December 15, 2022, the project covers a land area of 191.38 hectares. The project is managed by Agriprove Solutions Pty Ltd, a prominent developer in the Australian carbon market known for its "turnkey" soil carbon model.

The Tatiara region, often referred to as "Good Country" due to its agricultural productivity, is characterized by a mix of broadacre cropping and livestock grazing. The area typically experiences a Mediterranean climate with winter-dominant rainfall averaging between 400mm and 500mm annually. The local soil profile is diverse, often featuring sandy loams over clay or limestone, which can be highly productive but are also susceptible to issues like wind erosion if ground cover is not maintained.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon (Measurement and Models) methodology. This method requires the proponent to baseline soil organic carbon (SOC) levels through physical core sampling and then implement specific management changes to sequester additional carbon over time. For Rankin Carbon Project 1, the registered activities include addressing nutrient deficiencies through fertiliser application, converting from intensive tillage to reduced or no-tillage practices, and retaining crop stubble. These activities are designed to minimize soil disturbance and return organic matter to the soil profile, thereby increasing carbon stocks and improving soil health.

An interesting aspect of Agriprove's portfolio, including projects like this one, is the integration of data-driven agronomy. By shifting from conventional tillage to regenerative practices like stubble retention, the project aims to not only generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) but also enhance the water-holding capacity and resilience of the farming system in a region that borders semi-arid conditions.