Soil Carbon Testing Costs

8 July

What Western Australian Farmers Need to Know

Soil carbon testing is a critical component of soil carbon farming projects in Australia. It is a rigorous process mandated by the Australian Clean Energy Regulator (CER) to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of projects aiming to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). In this blog post, you will learn about the necessity and process of soil carbon testing, and that sampling and testing costs can be more than $300 per hectare for the 25-year life of a soil carbon farming project.

Why is Soil Carbon Testing Necessary?

Soil carbon testing is essential for several reasons:

Baseline Measurement: It establishes a baseline measurement of the soil carbon levels in your soil at the outset of the project. This baseline is a reference point against which future changes in soil carbon stocks are measured.
Crediting: Regular soil carbon testing is required at specific intervals (typically every 3-5 years) throughout the crediting period of the project. This ongoing monitoring allows for the quantification of carbon sequestration achievements and the issuance of ACCUs.
Compliance: The CER mandates soil carbon testing to ensure projects comply with the methodologies and requirements of the Emissions Reduction Fund.

The Soil Carbon Testing Process

The soil carbon testing process involves several key steps:

Sampling Plan Development: A qualified expert designs a sampling plan tailored to your farm's unique characteristics. This plan considers factors like soil type, land use, topography, and vegetation cover to ensure representative sampling.
Baseline Soil Sampling: Soil core samples are collected from designated locations across your Carbon Estimation Area (CEA) following the approved sampling plan.
Laboratory Analysis: The collected soil samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The laboratory measures the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and other relevant parameters.
Ongoing Monitoring: Soil sampling and analysis are repeated at regular intervals throughout the crediting period (typically every 3-5 years) to track changes in SOC levels.

Factors Influencing Soil Carbon Testing Costs

Several factors can influence the cost of soil carbon testing:

Property Size: Larger properties generally require more sampling points, increasing the overall cost.
Sampling Depth: The depth at which soil samples are collected can affect costs, with deeper sampling being more expensive.
Laboratory Fees: Laboratory analysis fees can vary depending on the specific tests conducted and the laboratory used.
Inflation: Given the long lifespan of soil carbon projects (up to 25 years), it's crucial to factor in inflation when estimating future soil carbon testing costs.

Soil Carbon Testing Cost Example

Here are some indicative costs for sampling and testing a 1000-hectare property over the life of a 25-year soil carbon farming project. Inflation is assumed to be 3% per annum.

Baseline

Sampling plan $1700
Sample collection: $13,380
Testing and analysis: $20,710

Crediting Period One

Sample collection: $15,510
Testing and analysis: $24,010

Crediting Period Two

Sample collection: $17,980
Testing and analysis: $27,840

Crediting Period Three

Sample collection: $20,850
Testing and analysis: $32,270

Crediting Period Four

Sample collection: $24,170
Testing and analysis: $37,410

Crediting Period Five

Sample collection: $28,020
Testing and analysis: $43,370

Total (over 25 years, 3% inflation)

Sampling Plan: $1700
Collection and analysis: $305,520 ($305.52 per hectare)
GRAND TOTAL: $307,220 ($307.22 per hectare)

The example above illustrates the approximate costs of soil sampling and testing over the life of an Australian soil carbon farming project, assuming the landowner undertakes the project independently. Individual costs may vary.

Landowners who undertake a soil carbon farming project with Carbon Sync receive soil sampling and analysis as part of their project fee ($15,000 per annum for the first four years of the project). Carbon Sync’s expert team undertakes the soil sampling, testing and analysis, and Carbon Sync covers the costs.

A complete analysis of the costs and benefits associated with a soil carbon farming project can be provided as part of Carbon Sync’s Soil Carbon Farming Feasibility Report.

Conclusion

Soil carbon testing is a rigorous but essential process for Western Australian farmers engaged in soil carbon farming projects. Farmers can make informed decisions about participating in these initiatives by understanding the process and the factors influencing costs.

Louise Edmonds

Louise is an innovator and entrepreneur in regenerative agriculture and the emerging carbon and environmental markets. Throughout her career, she’s had a sole driving vision: to restore the health of agricultural ecosystems.

As Founder and CEO of Carbon Sync, Louise is a seasoned expert in regenerative agriculture. She brings together the best people and technology to create robust, decades-long programs that help farmers implement management practices to enhance the health of their farm ecosystem. Louise believes climate stability can be achieved through the restoration of our soils.

With a deep understanding of Australian policy, the regulatory environment, and international agricultural trends, Louise is an invaluable resource for Western Australian farmers seeking to capitalise on changing market conditions.