Carbon Ag latest developments

As Carbon Ag heads into its fifth year and the industry toward a new season, it’s a good opportunity to provide an update on some of the latest trends and exciting developments ahead.

Most significant is the continued confirmation of soil carbon increases through the use of our carbon and liquid products. More than 1000 comprehensive soil tests analysed by CSBP have revealed our carbon and liquid products build more soil carbon than standard farming practices.

The combined use of our carbon and liquid products is offering a new methodology for soil health and carbon gains and can produce higher yields at comparative costs with current practices. Yield gains have been more pronounced at sites where soil health is less than optimum. In addition to our C33 carbon pellet (also available as a granule in 2022), PowerPK liquid fertiliser has proven to be an excellent furrow and foliar product.

Carbon Ag’s Broadacre Blend and manure topdressing products also are being actively sourced for soil improvement and further research is set to identify optimum rates of application in comparison with the precision placement of our C33 products, as well as economic thresholds and environmental considerations.

On the manufacturing front, we have a full granulation plant with new drying tower and full screening that can operate 24 hours a day, producing in excess of 12 tonnes per hour. Arthur Hall, from Mackie Hay, has been recruited to the team. Arthur has 15 years of experience in feed pellet production, equipment design and full automation of production systems. The manufacturing stream has two new seeding product lines for the coming season, including C33 plus Lime/Gypsum and C33 plus Dolomite. Long-term partnerships with AAA Egg Company, Westpork, Berry Sweet and Suez/Veolia have secured waste raw material stocks for ongoing manufacturing. For the future, we are considering new sites north of Perth, allowing further expansion of manufacturing to fully supply the WA agricultural and horticultural markets.

To assist product applications at seeding, Carbon Ag recently consulted with Groundhog Industries on a new seeding boot configuration, which especially suits DBS systems and the new SeedStorm bars. It can deep band C33 and PowerPK down to 20 centimetres, as well as place products within the seed zone.

Veris equipment for measuring soil carbon and other soil properties also has been re-engineered in conjunction with Primary Sales to suit WA’s unique conditions and the Taranis Field Health Trends ($5 per hectare for 12 months) will map nutrient deficiencies by leaf detection in the coming season. Trends will be available every five days and Carbon Ag hopes to generate tailored foliar package options for growers. In addition, the Field Health Trends can potentially develop weed maps for summer spraying programs.

We are also looking forward to continuing a number of collaborations. We are discussing soil carbon projects with the University of Western Australia and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and are continuing our relationships with Green Collar and AgriProve regarding potential soil carbon sequestration opportunities for WA growers.

It is encouraging to see the Carbon Ag brand is now increasingly recognised and we take pride in being one of the strong players in this emerging industry for WA agriculture and the broader global environment.

We extend our best wishes for the 2022 season and would be pleased to discuss any of the above developments.