Newman Carbon Project 2

Newman Carbon Project 2 is a soil carbon project located approximately 10km east of Loxton in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. It was registered in July 2024 and covers 174.10 ha.

Soil carbon projects under the Measurement and Models methodology involve changing agricultural land management practices to increase the amount of organic carbon stored in the soil. Standard requirements for this method include establishing a baseline carbon level through direct soil core sampling, and undergoing subsequent rigorous measurement and modelling over the project's lifetime to verify carbon sequestration.

The Loxton area is primarily known for dryland grain cropping, livestock grazing, and irrigated horticulture. The environment is classified as having a cold semi-arid climate with low annual rainfall averaging around 260mm. The local soils are typical of the Mallee region, predominantly featuring calcareous sandy loams and deep siliceous sands that naturally have low water retention.

This project increases carbon in the local agricultural system by applying nutrients to the land in the form of a synthetic or non-synthetic fertiliser to address a material deficiency, which promotes greater plant and root biomass to draw down carbon into the soil. Interestingly, the project is part of a larger portfolio managed by the proponent, Agriprove Solutions Co No.2 Pty Ltd, and operates alongside a cluster of similarly named properties in the area, including Newman Carbon Projects 1, 3, and 4.