1/16South Gippsland beef farmer and inventor Niels Olsen and his wife, Marja, are the first farmers in Australia to receive carbon credits for a soil carbon project through the Emissions Reduction Fund. Picture: Andy Rogers
Soilkee Renovator at South Gippsland
See pictures of South Gippsland beef farmer and inventor Niels Olsen and his wife Marja, who are the first farmers in Australia to receive carbon credits for a soil carbon project through the Emissions Reduction Fund.
2/16Their patented cultivator, the Soilkee Renovator, has achieved huge dry matter yield and available nutrient increases as well as massive carbon sequestration on their land. Picture: Andy Rogers
3/16The Soilkee Renovator was born from Niels’ decision to improve his soils after noticing a decline in pasture growth. The machine builds topsoil, improves soil health and function, and enhances plant growth and biodiversity. Picture: Andy Rogers
4/16Now patented in 47 countries, Niels’ Soilkee Renovator aerates the soil with minimal pasture disturbance, burying organic matter and top-dressing with soil while drilling seed into rows. Picture: Andy Rogers
5/16Rotating blades create a competition-free seed bed for germination, leaving about 80 per cent of the pasture undisturbed. Picture: Andy Rogers
6/16The machine’s rotating blades create a competition-free seed bed for germination, leaving about 80 per cent of pasture undisturbed. Picture: Andy Rogers
7/16Farmer and inventor Niels Olsen with his wife, Marja, and their son, Jamie, on their Hallora cattle farm in South Gippsland. Picture: Andy Rogers
8/16Aeration and the green manure crop within the worked-up portion of the pasture provide aerobic conditions and a food source that activates soil fungi, bacteria and earthworms. Picture: Andy Rogers
9/16In trial results, the Soilkee strips showed improved species, improved response to rainfall and pasture quality as well as preferential grazing and dry matter yield. Picture: Andy Rogers
10/16A renovated strip of pasture after the Soilkee makes one pass. Picture: Andy Rogers
11/16The machine’s rotating blades create a competition-free seed bed for germination, leaving about 80 per cent of pasture undisturbed. Picture: Andy Rogers
12/16Farmer and inventor Niels Olsen with his wife, Marja, and their son, Jamie, on their Hallora cattle farm in South Gippsland. Picture: Andy Rogers
13/16About 100 of the Olsens’ 121 hectares are under an approved carbon project, started in 2015 and run in partnership with Agriprove and Corporate Carbon. Picture: Andy Rogers
14/16Niels says Soilkee has virtually doubled the yield of dry matter on his farm — from 10 tonnes per hectare to 20 tonnes. Picture: Andy Rogers
15/16Soil carbon farming group AgriProve has launched a national competition to encourage farmers to match the Olsens’ achievement in soil carbon capture. Picture: Andy Rogers
16/16Marja, Jamie and Niels Olsen in a healthy paddock. Picture: Andy Rogers
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