Blaney Farm Soil Carbon Project

The Blaney Farm Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located near the rural locality of Wallangra, approximately 45km northeast of Warialda in northern New South Wales. Registered in July 2024, the project covers a significant area of 1,250 hectares within the Inverell Shire Council region. The surrounding North West Slopes and Plains are traditionally utilized for mixed farming, incorporating both livestock grazing and cropping operations.

This project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through improved management practices. Specific activities at Blaney Farm include the targeted application of synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers to address nutrient deficiencies, the rejuvenation of pastures via seeding or pasture cropping, and the use of cover crops to protect and enhance soil health. These interventions are designed to boost biomass production and sequester atmospheric carbon into the soil profile.

The region is characterized by a temperate to semi-arid climate with variable rainfall, historically averaging between 650mm and 750mm annually, though recent years have seen fluctuations. The local landscape typically features Vertosols (cracking clay soils) and Chromosols (texture-contrast soils), which are well-suited to the project's regenerative grazing and pasture cropping focus.

A notable aspect of this project is its proponent, Michael McCosker. He is a prominent figure in the Australian regenerative agriculture community and a co-founder of Carbon8, a farmer-led organization dedicated to supporting the transition to regenerative land management. McCosker is known for his educational work demonstrating how healthy, carbon-rich soils can improve water retention and farm resilience.