The Rangelands Living Skin project in Australia has been making waves in the farming community by focusing on regenerative practices and creating farm carbon accounts. This project involves a core group of four producer families working with scientists and collaborators to trial various land management practices aimed at improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s meet two of the producer families involved in this groundbreaking project and delve into their experiences and outcomes.
### Meet the producers – the Mosely family
Andrew and Megan Mosely of ‘Etiwanda’ in Cobar, NSW, have been instrumental in transforming their wool operation into a thriving livestock enterprise. Through intensive rotational grazing and holistic management practices, they have doubled their livestock numbers while improving the land condition significantly. As part of the Rangelands Living Skin project, the Moselys are experimenting with multispecies pastures, annual legumes, and biostimulants to further enhance their farm’s sustainability.
### Meet the producers – the Whyte family
Angus and Kelly Whyte operate a sheep and cattle breeding enterprise on ‘Wyndham Station’ and ‘Willow Point’ in Wentworth, NSW. After attending a Grazing for Profit course in 2001, they transitioned to rotational grazing and smaller paddocks to match stocking rates with carrying capacity. This change not only reduced labor intensity but also led to improved plant growth, diversity, and erosion control. The Whytes are now exploring ecosystem services markets as an additional source of income while participating in water ponding trials as part of the RLS project.
### Greenhouse gases and carbon accounting
One of the key aspects of the Rangelands Living Skin project is the creation of farm carbon accounts to understand and benchmark greenhouse gas emissions. By working with experts like Dr. Jessica Rigg from Select Carbon, farmers like the Mosely and Whyte families can identify emission sources, develop strategies to reduce emissions, and explore opportunities to store more carbon in the soil. This exercise not only helps in achieving carbon neutrality but also enhances soil health and farm resilience.
### Understanding the numbers
The average annual net farm emissions for Etiwanda and Wyndham Station were calculated over a five-year period, with methane from livestock being the primary emission source. Emissions intensity, measured as kg of CO2-e per kg of product, varied by enterprise type and fluctuated over the assessment period. These numbers provide valuable insights into emission trends and areas for improvement within each farming operation.
### Emissions reduction opportunities
Apart from traditional carbon sequestration methods like tree planting, the potential for soil carbon sequestration in regenerating vegetation and grazing management practices is crucial in the rangelands. Building soil organic matter through proper grazing techniques can contribute significantly to carbon storage and landscape function. By increasing soil carbon content over time, farmers can potentially offset their annual emissions and achieve a net positive carbon position.
### Where to from here?
For farmers looking to develop their carbon accounts, the benefits are manifold. Understanding current emission sources, improving market access, providing data to supply chain partners, and accessing green finance are just some of the advantages of creating a farm carbon account. By taking proactive steps to measure and manage their carbon footprint, farmers can not only enhance their environmental stewardship but also future-proof their businesses in an evolving market landscape.
In conclusion, the Rangelands Living Skin project showcases the transformative power of regenerative farming practices and carbon accounting in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing soil health. By collaborating with experts, implementing innovative land management techniques, and embracing sustainability, Australian farmers are paving the way for a greener and more resilient agricultural future.
