MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA INTEGRATED R&D PRODUCER DEMONSTRATION SITE PROJECT 

AgriProve is partnering with Meat and Livestock Australia to deliver a 6 year Integrated R&D Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) project. The project supports the Australian red meat industry in transitioning to carbon neutral by 2030 through growing understanding of how soil carbon impacts carbon intensity of red meat enterprises. Three AgriProve partnering producers at Tarramba, Queensland, Dungog, NSW, and Carrick, Tasmania are hosting demonstration sites to trial management practices that sequester carbon in soils.  

The demonstration sites will implement multi-species pastures and test two different management techniques against a control plot, including different grazing management approaches, sowing techniques, soil ameliorants and aeration to determine best practice management of multi-species for increasing soil carbon.  

The project will use AgriProve’s scalable and innovative approach to soil carbon sampling which includes annual sampling of one metre soil cores alongside remote sensing NDRE and NDVI satellite imagery, and NIR Spectroscopy. Regular in-field pasture monitoring will record changes to production resulting from improved soil health from new practices. The project also includes whole farm carbon accounting to highlight how soil carbon sequestration under the Australian Government ACCU Scheme can support livestock enterprises in reaching and moving beyond net zero carbon intensity. 

TARRAMBA – QLD 

Property Overview 

Adam and Tracy Gunthorpe of Tarramba and Walloon properties operate a beef cattle operation and a genetics business at Banana near Rockhampton, QLD. The Gunthorpe’s utilise rotational holistic grazing management alongside multi-species pastures and utilise genetics to maximise body condition under this system. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge with the industry. 

The property also hosts a soil carbon project under the Emissions Reduction Fund, established in 2022. Adam Gunthorpe is a founding member and vice-president of Frontier Genetics, a collaboration of Queensland based brahman breeders. 

Demonstration 

The site was established in September 2023, and will be sown with multi-species pastures with a minimum-till drill in summer of 2023 due to dry conditions. The 50 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments: 

  • Grazing management with regular recovery periods (45 to 80 days) 

  • Grazing management with long recovery periods (120 to 180 days) 

  • Control with standard grazing management for the region 

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Facebook: Tarramba Red Brahmans   

DUNGOG – NSW

 Property Overview

John Monaghan and business partner Alan Smith manage Rocking Chair Farms at Dungog in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Rocking chair farm is a mixed livestock enterprise consisting of beef cattle, fat lambs, chickens and small scale horticulture.

Rocking Chair Farm is also participating in a soil carbon project under the Emission Reduction Fund, established in 2021 which generated 2110 carbon credits in September 2023. John and Alan are passionate about sharing their knowledge on regenerative practices and share regular updates on their Instagram.

Demonstration site

The site was established in June 2023 and sown with multi-species pastures. The two treatment plots are grazed using holistic management principles with short duration intensive grazing followed by long recovery periods for full plant recovery prior to re-grazing. The 7 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments:

·         Multi-species pastures sown with aerator and holistic grazing management

·         Multi-species pastures sown with aerator, treated with SoilLife biological soil input and holistic grazing management

·         Control with no pasture improvement and standard grazing for the region

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Instagram: rockingchairfarmdungog

Carrick – TAS

Property Overview

Marcus and Eleanor James manage Junction Farm, a mixed livestock enterprise at Carrick on the outskirts of Launceston, Tasmania. The operation includes up to 100 Angus cross breeding cows and Charolais bulls, alongside 1400 Merino cross ewes. The business has diversified to include a horse agistment, tourism and education enterprise.

Since 2020 the property has participated in a soil carbon project under the Emission Reduction Fund, with much of the project area on former potato cropping land.

Most recently the farm has undertaken large biodiversity project as part of the Federal Government’s Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot, protecting over 600ha of vegetation, planting more than 150,000 native plants trees, shrubs and grasses, along with extensive gorse and hawthorn control.

Marcus is Chair of the Sustainability Committee of Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and on sits on the Primary Employers Tasmania Committee and is passionate about progressing the industry to a sustainable future.

Demonstration site

The demonstration site was established in October 2023 and sown with multi-species pastures with a minimum-till drill. The 6 hectare demonstration site compares 3 treatments:

·         Grazing management to maximise biomass and biomass to ground contact

·         Grazing management to maximise photosynthesis

·         Control of standard management for the region