The Ryan Carbon Projects have achieved successful issuance of 4,839 ACCUs under the ACCU Scheme, through rotational grazing and biological farming practices across properties in Bundarra, NSW.
Landholders David, Leonie and Harrison Doran implemented regenerative agriculture practices including biological teas, rotational grazing with five-day paddock moves, and infrastructure upgrades, increasing stocking capacity by 25% while improving farm profitability.
The Dorans have received 4,839 ACCUs under the Australian Government's ACCU Scheme, with 3,000 ACCUs already sold at $46 per credit within three months of issuance. The credits validate the measurable increase in soil carbon generated through their farm-led management changes.
18 December 2025: The Ryan Carbon Projects, located near Bundarra, NSW and managed by David, Leonie and their son Harrison Doran, have reached a key milestone with the issuance of 4,839 ACCUs under the Australian Government's ACCU Scheme.
The projects, developed in partnership with AgriProve, span 456 hectares across two registered carbon projects in the New England region. The property receives a mean annual rainfall of 757mm and sits in the elevated tablelands of northern NSW, approximately 50km south of Tenterfield.
The projects reflect a fundamental transformation in farming practices following the devastating 2019 drought. The Dorans shifted from conventional set-stocking to a regenerative agriculture system focused on soil health, rotational grazing, and biological farming methods.
The family operation now manages two carbon projects across 456 hectares while running 300 head of Angus cattle and 1,800 sheep. Their focus is on building soil resilience, improving pasture quality and creating a sustainable enterprise for the next generation.
"After the 2019 drought, we decided we needed to do things differently," said Leonie Doran. "We wanted to never buy feed for our stock again and build resilience into our system. The carbon project gave us validation that we were doing the right thing."
The transformation involved replacing synthetic fertilisers with biological teas, implementing rotational grazing with stock moves every five days, and investing in water and fencing infrastructure.
"We've seen incredible changes," said Leonie. "Our stocking capacity has increased from 250 cows and calves to 300 head plus 1,800 sheep. The soil compaction has reduced dramatically - we couldn't get a probe down after rain before, and now we can. We're seeing more worms, less fleabane and thistle, and darker green pastures."
"We'd been implementing these changes because we believed it was the right thing to do for our land," said Leonie. "Getting the ACCUs issued was validation that our approach was working. The revenue from selling 3,000 credits is already helping us invest back into the property - we're planning to introduce chicory and vetch for multispecies grazing and continue improving our pasture systems."
The Doran’s emphasise that their journey is about more than carbon revenue. Farm profitability has improved by approximately 25%, and they're now making more money from their sheep enterprise than their cattle operation.
"It's about building something sustainable," said Leonie. "My husband came from a very conventional farming background - 120 years and four generations on their previous property. It took 18 months to convince him to try this approach, but now we wake up excited every morning. We have 90-day plans, clear goals, and we're seeing real change."
Quotes attributable to AgriProve General Manager Kieren Whittock:
“The Ryan Carbon Project is a great example of how thoughtful grazing management and targeted soil improvement can deliver real, measured outcomes. David and Leonie have worked to strengthen their soils, and this ACCU issuance recognises the additional carbon that has been stored as a result of those changes.”
Quotes attributable to Clima Managing Director Guy Dickinson
“The transaction was possible because the Doran’s were patient and the buyer was very bought into the credits locational and sequestration properties. Clima is recognised as having the best selection of state specific nature-based units and we make soil carbon part of the portfolio conversation. We encourage all people interested in the Australian Carbon market to sign up to https://markets.clima.com.au/ and begin their markets journey. ”
Media contact: Daniel Wortmann 0448 187 650 [email protected]