Carbon in your farming business & how to accumulate carbon in your soils – SA (Video)

In this Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board video, Amanda Schapel from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), demystifies carbon farming terms. She also provides an overview of how the concepts relate to farming businesses considering monetising carbon gains. Topics include carbon in farming, understanding key terms, calculating farm carbon footprints, and practical ways of building soil carbon. The presentation covers carbon accounting, emissions reduction, and offsetting through sequestration or purchased credits (ACCUs) via the Emissions Reduction Fund or secondary markets. Most South Australian agricultural ERF projects are soil carbon-related, but credits are issued only after a five-year measurement period. Soil carbon supports productivity, nutrient cycling, water storage, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas regulation. Inputs come from plant growth, root exudates, organic amendments, and soil biota, with storage potential influenced by soil type, rainfall, and management. Practices such as stubble retention, diverse crops and pastures, perennial cover, minimal tillage, well-managed grazing, adequate nutrients, and removing soil constraints help build and stabilise carbon. Gains take from 5 to 10 years to measure reliably, and management quality often matters more than the practice type [36:36]. While this presentation specifically targeted South Australian farmers, the information is relevant nationwide. #

Resource Last Updated: September 6, 2025

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