F.A.S.T. Carbon
We are exploring ‘Fodder Alley Sequestration Trees’ (F.A.S.T) as a method to return
carbon to the landscape as vegetation structure and soil carbon.
carbon to the landscape as vegetation structure and soil carbon.
Tagasaste
- Lucerne Tree
Leucaena
- Sub tropical legume fodder shrub
Desmanthus
- Fodder Legume shrub
SaltBush
- Undersown & inter row seeded with hard seeded legume annuals & Lucerne
Kurrajong
- Fodder Tree - slow growing, long lived
Native Fodder Trees
- Soil & environment specific - e.g. Mulga, Myall, Wilga, Wattle, Rosewood
Current Research Focus
- In-field measurement of exemplar F.A.S.T. production systems (Leucaena in QLD & Tagasaste in WA) against adjacent production systems to ascertain the carbon building potential of these systems demonstrated over decadal periods.
- Exploration of other useful species.
- Various planting designs & establishment techniques using the SCQ planter.
We aim to do this by influencing/optimising water, natural nitrogen and microclimate to influence biomass accumulation whilst offering high-value fodder reserves 365 days per year, particularly affecting fodder offerings in times of drought when needed most.
Fodder shrubs increase the nitrogen fertility for plants growing around the drip line.
By creating hedge-rows, fodder shrubs can provide wind protection for the inter-row and a zone of rainfall infiltration around the roots, increasing overall capture, storage and recovery of every drop of rain.
This system then becomes the most drought-proofed grazing system available and an absolute powerhouse for carbon sequestration.
Tagasaste
Tagasaste (also known as Tree Lucerne or Cytisus proliferus) is a drought hardy, highly nutritious and palatable legume fodder shrub and contains a similar nutritional profile to lucerne. This shrub can planted in alleys and maintained at browse height for sheep and cattle. The power of this shrub in a farming/grazing operation is two-fold: (1) Tagasaste is a legume, so it increases the nitrogen fertility for plants growing around the drip line; (2) Planted in ‘hedge-rows’, tagasaste also provides wind protection for the inter-row and a zone of rainfall infiltration around the roots, increasing overall capture storage and recovery of every drop of rain.
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