In the grainbelt livestock have to be returned to help restore the carbon cycle. Millions of tonnes of CO2 are released every year as stubble windrows are burnt to control weeds and entire paddocks are burnt to try to mitigate frost. These practices have to stop. If the stubble windrows were pyrolysised and the BC was returned to the soil then soil quality and moisture retention would improve and soil OC decline would be reversed. The technology is available, all that is lacking is a good reason and the motivation.

This is the start of the whole carbon farming story which is only just beginning in Australia. It is known variously as Organic, Biological or Regenerative Farming (the preferred name). RF, under the guise of cover cropping, has been going for 20 years in the US and Canada. Although not yet widely adopted, the principles are well established. Whether realised or not the aim is cheaper and more sustained production and profit by restoring soil carbon to original levels. The organic carbon content of farmed soils worldwide has declined by at least half from their virgin state. This has gone into the atmosphere and the oceans. Subconsciously a lot of farmers realise something is wrong but do not know how to do it differently. Serious research effort and effective extension is needed to bring about this very necessary change.

Another new use for BC with resultant carbon sequestration is the incorporation of 4t of BC/ha under new plantings of avocado trees and replanting of fruit trees generally. Trials show tree growth is doubled. Reports are adoption rates are high.