Pannell Carbon Project 4

Pannell Carbon Project 4 is a soil carbon sequestration project located in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, approximately 40 kilometers south of Loxton. Registered in May 2025, the project covers 486 hectares of agricultural land near the rural localities of Alawoona and Taldra. The project is situated on land operated by Pannell Farms, a well-known local family partnership (Tim and Mike Pannell) recognised for their long-standing history of growing barley for Coopers Brewery. While the family has historically shifted focus from sheep to cropping, this project indicates a commitment to integrating sustainable land management practices within their broadacre operations.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology, specifically aiming to increase Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stocks through the application of nutrients. By addressing material deficiencies in the soil using synthetic or non-synthetic fertilisers, the project seeks to stimulate plant growth and biomass production, which in turn draws more carbon from the atmosphere into the soil. This activity is particularly relevant in the Mallee environment, which is characterised by a semi-arid climate with low annual rainfall (approximately 250–350mm) and soils that are typically calcareous sandy loams or dune fields. These sandy soils often have low inherent fertility, making nutrient management a critical lever for both agricultural productivity and carbon sequestration.