Soil carbon sequestration and dairy

Soil carbon sequestration to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming has been suggested as a possible income source for  dairy farmers.

In response to questions about soil carbon sequestration, Dairy Australia commissioned a detailed review of the issue.

View report: Soil Carbon Sequestration Under Pasture in Australian Dairy Regions.

In summary:

Dairy Australia’s review raises serious questions for dairy farmers to consider when seeking to obtain income from soil carbon sequestration

• The carbon content of dairy soils often is excellent already - the scope for improvement is limited
• Southern Australia is becoming hotter and drier, making it difficult for soils to retain carbon
• Nutrients are tied up in humus and can be expensive to replace and
• Contracts to sequester soil carbon can place long term (including intergenerational) limits on land use change