Soilkee technology introduced to Hunter Valley for more sustainable farming practices

It’s sustainable, good for the environment and financially beneficial. Soilkee technology has come to the Hunter for the first time, local farmers driving the technology in the region.

Working the land for around the last 20 years, Dungog farmer John Monaghan has always done things the traditional ways.

Dungog farmer John Monaghan is taking part in a world-first sustainable farming trial. Picture: Supplied

But a trip to a local field day changed that, as he was showed the benefits of regenerative farming, how to improve his soil efficiency, all while becoming more eco-friendly.

The 68-year-old is one of the first in a small bunch of farmers in the Hunter Valley who are trialling world first sustainable technology in soil carbon credits.

Mr Monaghan and his new business partner are now testing the Soilkee Renovator machine on their multi-species pastures.

They have also signed up for carbon credits with Agriprove, who will pay for what they produce.

“Soilkee has been used in some trials with Hunter Local Land Services and results were good and that’s why I decided to use it,” Mr Monaghan said.

“It’s increasing the microbiology of the soil and therefore you should be able to get good growth of your mix and planting without the need for fertiliser.

“It should give us improved soil depth, improved soil chemistry and microbiology, and increases the soil carbon.

“It’s quite exciting.”

North Tocal farmer Bob Doyle is another trialling the Soilkee machine, and is said to be the first farm in the Hunter Valley to register for soil carbon credits with the Federal Government.

He said there’s strong interest in the region for achieving soil carbon credits, not just for it benefits to the environment, but financially as well.

Niels Olsen and his family are the first farmers to receive carbon credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund. Picture: Andy Rogers

“It’s a money making business, it’s not just a feel good thing about climate change, because you get paid for the credits because there will be businesses that can’t reduce their carbon emissions,” he said.

“First machine in the world to achieve soil carbon credits and whole group people in the Hunter are trialling it to improve agricultural productivity as a bigger driver than climate change.”

The Soilkee Renovator is world-first technology now being trialled in the Hunter. Picture: Andy Rogers

Creator of Soilkee Niels Olsen said Australian trials for soil carbon credits started in 2014 and have proven more than a 20 per cent increase in yields and even doubled nutrients in soil.

“The machine feeds the soil microbes which enhances the photosynthesis ability of plants, and this build carbon up in soil. In doing so it helps retain moisture and aggregates to let air in the soil,” Mr Olsen said.

“Fungi aggregates soil, then when it rains the water can get in and because there is a high fungal population, it hangs on to the moisture and doesn’t go up to the surface and evaporate in the sun and wind.

“It’s building up microbes in soil. It is a lot more efficient.”

With 37 patents around the globe, they’ve had enquiries from almost every continent for this type of technology, with demand at an all time high, as many countries look for ways to practice more sustainable farming practices.

Creator Niels Olsen said it is about sustainable farming practices. Picture: Andy Rogers

And for the first time it’s made its way to the Hunter Valley in hope more farmers across the region will see the benefits and take on the Soilkee initiative.

“I think we’re still the only ones who have done it in the world, with soil carbon credits under the Paris Agreements,” he added.

“There’s hundreds out there saying they can do it but little proof coming through and nowhere near what we have achieved.”

Proof that soil carbon credits are becoming an attractive source of revenue, a farmer on the Northern Tablelands was paid half a million dollars for a pioneering soil carbon deal.

Wilmot farm sold the credits from the carbon added to its soil from 2017 to 2020 to technology giant Microsoft, to use to offset some of its own carbon emissions, in a bid to become carbon negative in less than 10 years.