McLachlan Carbon project
John Monaghan (Landholder) on-farm at McLachlan carbon project
The McLachlan Carbon Project at Rocking Chair Farm, near Dungog, NSW, has been issued 3,950 ACCUs, following its first issuance of 2,110 ACCUs in 2023, the first soil carbon ACCUs issued in NSW. This makes the McLachlan CP one of only five soil carbon projects in Australia to receive a second issuance under the 2021 method.
Landholders John Monaghan and Alan Smith have transformed their 73.6-hectare property by subdividing seven paddocks into 25, sowing multi-species pastures and largely removing synthetic fertilisers and herbicides. Through a run of very wet and very dry seasons, they halved the herd to protect groundcover.
Farm Profile
Enterprise: Mixed cattle, sheep and pastured eggs, rotational grazing across 25 paddocks (previously 7)
Rainfall: 1,114mm long-term annual average
Infrastructure: New fencing, water points and multi-species pastures
Stocking Rate: Reduced from around 95 to 50 cows and calves to match available feed
The project has generated
Project Highlights
3,950 ACCUs issued under the ACCU Scheme, following an initial 2,110 ACCUs
One of only five soil carbon projects in Australia with a second ACCU issuance under the 2021 method
Paddocks increased from 7 to 25 through rotational grazing and infrastructure upgrades
Results
Since 2021, landholders John Monaghan and Alan Smith have transitioned Rocking Chair Farm from seven paddocks to an adaptive rotational grazing system of 25 paddocks, supported by new fencing, water points and multi-species pastures. Cattle are moved based on available feed rather than a fixed schedule, with the best paddocks strip grazed through daily moves.
Through some of the most variable seasons in more than 30 years on the farm, the pair reduced their herd from around 95 to 50 cows and calves to protect groundcover and avoid overgrazing. Soil sampling and independent verification confirmed that the soil carbon measured in the first round not only held but continued to build, resulting in a total of 6,060 ACCUs issued under the Australian Government’s ACCU Scheme.
Ongoing Practices:
Adaptive Grazing: Rotation set by available feed, with strip grazing on the best paddocks
Biological Inputs: Foliar sprays built around on-farm Johnson-Su compost, fish emulsion, seaweed, molasses and trace elements
Reinvestment: Shade and timber trees, leaky weirs, and infrastructure for a pastured egg enterprise
John Monaghan: “To us, the carbon credits are a huge bonus. Over a bit more than five years we’ve got around 6,000 credits. The cattle and sheep cover their costs and our living expenses, and the carbon gives us the cream on top that allows us to do other things on the farm. We’re a small farm, but that’s a pretty significant contribution to our business.”
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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