Oatleigh Soil Carbon Project

Oatleigh Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon sequestration initiative located on the "Oatleigh" property near Canowindra, approximately 25km north-west of Cowra in the Central West region of New South Wales. Registered in April 2024, the project covers 677 hectares of agricultural land situated within the Cowra Shire Council area. The region is traditionally known for mixed farming, sheep, and cattle grazing, supported by a temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of around 625mm. The local environment features diverse soils, predominantly red-brown earths derived from granite and sedimentary rocks, which are typical of the fertile Belubula River valley.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, which credits increases in soil organic carbon (SOC) achieved through new management activities. To measure these gains, the project proponent must establish a baseline of SOC stocks and then implement specific changes to land management. In this case, the project focuses on altering the stocking rate, duration, and intensity of grazing. This approach aims to promote perennial pasture cover and root depth, which draws carbon down into the soil profile more effectively than conventional set-stocking methods.

A notable aspect of this project is the involvement of the proponent, Scott John Hickman, a prominent figure in the local regenerative agriculture community. Hickman serves as a facilitator for the "Growing the Grazing Revolution" program with Mid Lachlan Landcare and has managed Oatleigh since 1991. The property has undergone a significant transition from conventional high-input cropping and grazing to holistic management, focusing on restoring native perennial grasses and reducing synthetic inputs. This background suggests the project is designed not just for carbon credits but as a continuation of a long-term strategy to improve landscape resilience and biodiversity.