Messner Carbon Project 13

Messner Carbon Project 13 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Shire of Westonia in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. The project area spans approximately 328 hectares and is situated roughly 30km east of Mukinbudin and 300km northeast of Perth. Registered in August 2024, this project is part of a larger series of carbon projects developed by Agriprove for the Messner family aggregation.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon Methodology, which rewards landholders for increasing soil organic carbon levels through improved management practices. Specifically, this project aims to address material soil deficiencies by applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers. By optimizing nutrient levels, the project seeks to boost plant growth and root biomass, thereby drawing more carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil profile. Credits are issued based on measured increases in soil carbon stocks over time, compared to a baseline.

The region is characterized by a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Annual rainfall in the area typically averages around 330mm. The local landscape is dominated by broadacre cropping and grazing, with soil types primarily consisting of grey shallow and deep sandy duplex soils, as well as calcareous loamy earths. These soils are often naturally low in carbon, making them suitable candidates for sequestration activities that improve soil health and resilience.