We have teamed up with three grower groups across the state to investigate the development of the biochar industry in Western Australia. Mingenew Irwin Group, Moora/Miling Pasture Improvment Group, North Stirling Pallinup Natural Resources and Energy Farmers Australia will run a series of trials over the next three years that will examine the integration of biochar into the farming systems of Western Australia. The project will investigate:
- Resource (crop residue) capture (including weed seed removal), transport and handling methods
- Local biochar production; and application of biochar into soils
- Scientific based trails to determine yield response and carbon capture potential of biochar at varying fertiliser and biochar application rates.
- The quantity of CO2-e sequestered via application of biochars to agricultural soils
- Demonstrate that by incorporating biochar into their farming system, farmers can reduce synthetic fertiliser use while maintaining or improving yield
- Investigate the impact on the economics of the farming process, recognising that these methods will not be widely adopted unless farmers can realise a financial benefit.
- Development of a Life Cycle Assessment of the process that will quantify the GHG emission reductions that can be realised via incorporating biochar into the farming process.
Project update – Biochar in the ground in Western Australia click for pics.
This is a really exciting project that will increase the awareness of biochars in Western Australia. Watch this space for project updates or Contact us to learn more.
