McLachlan Carbon project
John Monaghan (Landholder) on-farm at McLachlan carbon project
The McLachlan Carbon Project is a 73.6 -hectare mixed farming operation with a land management strategy that incorporates multi-species pastures and planned grazing management.
The original property has been divided from seven paddocks into 25 to support the rotational grazing program. The multi species seed mix was selected to increase plant diversity and help increase soil organic carbon levels.
The weather conditions are warm and temperate. The area receives an average annual rainfall of 1,114mm.
The project has generated
Project Highlights
Soil improvement through multi-species pasture implementation.
Significant cost reduction in farm operations. 85% reduction in fertilizer and no herbicide used.
McLachlan Carbon Project is now cost-neutral after three years.
Results
The Rocking Chair Farm operation includes 90 breeding Angus cows and calves, 30 Australian White ewes and lambs and a growing pastured egg enterprise incorporating 120 birds in a mobile coop. With farm management that incorporates multi-species pastures and rotational grazing, the project is delivering whole of farm benefits through soil carbon sequestration’s ability to build additional layers of profitability into the business.
John Monaghan: “The most important thing in sustainable farming is making a profit. Our costs, fertilisers and herbicides have gone down significantly but we are spending more on seed to develop multispecies pastures and investing in fencing and water systems. If we take into account, the value of the carbon credits we have received and we’re now cost neutral after just three years.”
Take a tour of the McLachlan Carbon Project
AgriProve is the partner of choice for soil carbon projects
“ “AgriProve already had the process in place, and we were the second farm in this district to partner with them. I’ve always appreciated their transparency, enthusiasm and ability to answer all my questions.”
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