Bald Blair and Gatwood Soil Carbon Project

Bald Blair and Gatwood Soil Carbon Project is a soil carbon project located approximately 10 kilometres east of Guyra in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales. It was registered in October 2024 and covers a project area of 1,755.90 hectares.

Soil carbon projects utilizing the measurement and models methodology involve changing agricultural land management practices to increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. For this specific project, the core activity involves applying synthetic or non-synthetic fertilizers to the land to address material soil nutrient deficiencies, which in turn promotes pasture growth, increases biomass, and drives soil organic carbon sequestration. The proponent is working with agent Precision Pastures Pty Ltd, who assists the property with comprehensive grid soil sampling and the creation of carbon estimation areas.

The Guyra region is renowned for its high-altitude livestock grazing, specifically seedstock and commercial cattle breeding, as well as sheep farming. The environmental conditions feature a relatively high average annual rainfall of approximately 850mm to 900mm. The property's soil profile predominantly consists of highly productive basalt soils, accompanied by pockets of lighter granite soils.

An interesting note about this project is that it is run by White Pastoral Investments Pty Limited on the historic Bald Blair Angus stud, operated by Sam and Kirsty White. Bald Blair is one of Australia's oldest Angus studs, with the White family having bred cattle on the property since 1898. Alongside their cattle operations and carbon farming integration, the family has also diversified their enterprise by transforming an original stockman's home, which has been on the property for decades, into a rural farm stay known as Kelly's Cottage.