Juandah Plains MMV Soil Carbon Project

The Juandah Plains MMV Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located on the "Juandah Plains" station, approximately 29 kilometers northeast of Wandoan in Queensland's Western Downs region. Registered on December 20, 2024, the project operates across a specific 429.9-hectare area within the larger pastoral holding. The region is renowned for its "Brigalow belt" country, typically utilized for intensive cattle grazing and cropping operations due to its high natural fertility.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon (Measurement and Models) methodology, which credits the storage of carbon in agricultural soils. This method requires a hybrid approach: initial physical soil sampling to establish a baseline, followed by the implementation of new management activities designed to increase soil organic carbon (SOC). The activities for this project include applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to address nutrient deficiencies, rejuvenating pastures through seeding, and introducing legume species to fix nitrogen and boost biomass.

Environmentally, the Wandoan area is classified as semi-arid to sub-tropical with a summer-dominant rainfall averaging between 570mm and 650mm annually. The landscape features undulating downs country with fertile soils ranging from heavy Brigalow clays (Vertosols) to lighter sandy loams and bottle tree scrub soils. These heavy clay soils are particularly well-suited for soil carbon projects as they have a high capacity to protect and store organic matter compared to sandy soils.

A notable aspect of this project is its proponent, Capital Property Corporation Pty Ltd, which acts as the trustee for the Juandah Aggregation Trust. This entity is associated with prominent businessman Terry Snow and his Willinga Pastoral Company, which acquired Juandah Plains in 2019. The property is well-known in the agricultural community not only for its Hereford cattle operations but also for its world-class campdrafting facilities. Elders Rural Services Australia Limited is listed as a participant, likely acting as the carbon service provider to facilitate the project's compliance and reporting.