News
Field Workshop Mid North Coast N.S.W.
Last week, ANZBIG delivered a Biochar Workshop by our Foundational Member and Education & Training Co-ordinator, Professor Stephen Joseph PhD AM. The following report was submitted. In this instance, a Pizza Cob Oven was used so that it was fire safe and steel drum retorts were placed inside. ANZBIG aims to purchase a mobile kiln in 2021 for a series of regional workshops or provide a pizza oven. Please send your expressions of interest to hold a workshop to execdirect@anzbig.org
Wherrol Flat & Caparra Landcare Group
11th & 12th December, 2020 at Tinonee, NSW with Professor Stephen Joseph, from ANZBIG
Thanks to Stephen for the presentation of the workshop, his skills to deliver, passion and knowledge of biochar was amazing. We completed an evaluation form at the end of the workshop and every participant gave him the highest assessment. Stephen was able to deliver the information on a farmer level which is important. There was lots of information to take in but combining the theory with the practical aspect kept the participants enthusiastic. Making the biochar was fun, we were put into groups and had to discuss the recipes and make biochar. Different ratios of ingredients were used depending on what use the biochar was intended for. The ingredients varied we had straw, wood chip, chicken manure, crusher dust and red clay. Biochar has many uses could have been, for animal nutrition, growing vegetables, fruit trees/orchards or pastures. We made pizzas in the oven after the biochar and then we got to eat them which everyone enjoyed. Incorporating biochar into your garden/farming system has many health/environmental benefits. It can increase the water holding capacity of soil, stores carbon, increases your yield in production and profit. Biochar is able to lock up heavy metals in the soil so they aren’t plant available, added to water soluble nutrients buffers them, can be mixed with molasses and fed to livestock this enhances their nutrition and when they produce manure dung beetles bury the biochar into the soil. Various designs of retorts were discussed which gave participants food for thought depending on what scale of biochar production they intend to do. I can’t forget to mention Stephen had lots of stories to tell from his experiences throughout the world. Early on in his journey included working with Australian aboriginal people in Arnhem land who taught him a lot about making biochar. We had an educational two days and we would like to have Stephen back again, to encourage others to attend to learn about the various uses/benefits of biochar.
Alison Allan
Biochar In The Vineyard: Building A Foundation For Sustainability
A new article written by Simone Madden-Grey explores the potential benefits for winegrape producers, showcased in the October 2020 edition of Grapegrower & Winemaker.
A piece from the article:
“The growing body of systematic research complements existing anecdotal evidence to create a compelling case for using biochar in the vineyard. Reduced carbon emissions, carbon sequestration, reduction in costs associated with water and fertiliser management, as well as a process that can engage consumers by way of increased environmental credentials all create a strong foundation upon which sustainable practice and policy could be built.”
Frontier Impact Group and Ark2030 announce exciting new joint venture: Ark3C Australasia – Climate, Crisis, Capital
- Ark3C Australasia is a joint venture between Frontier Impact Group (FIG) and Ark3C part of the Ark2030 Global Programme, financing the restoration of planet earth.
- Ark3C (Climate, Crisis, Capital) will drive international investment in land restoration globally, alongside other eco system restoration projects with the aim to drive the scaling up of activities that are critical to have an impact on mitigating climate risk. Ark3C is establishing other Ark3C entities globally to assist in the scaling up of private sector and blended investment into the sector.
Kochii on target for 100 tonnes
Agriculture Region MLC Darren West and Regional Development, Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan during a visit to Kochii Eucalyptus Oil’s eucy still at Kalannie earlier this year. They are standing in the spent eucalyptus biomass left after oil had been extracted. Kochii is investigating turning it into biochar.
PORTLAND_VIC_ BIO-ENERGY PLANT_Expression of Interest_Supply & Off Take Agreement
Contracted Services and purpose of proposed contract
Background: Glenelg Shire Council operates a district heating system heated by two gas fired water
boilers. There are currently six buildings connected to the 1.5km district heating network being the Portland Arts Centre, Portland Aquatic Centre, Fawthrop Community Centre, Municipal Offices, Civic Hall and SES Building.
Due to the age of current district heating system it is now requiring a major overhaul providing Council the opportunity to implement an innovative and modern technology with a holistic approach. The proposal is to replace the two gas boilers with a well-researched biomass system, ECHO2 from Rainbow Bee Eater. This will potentially use local timber industry & Council wood waste as the fuel source and bring about significant advantages economically, technically and environmentally. ECHO2 is designed and manufactured in Australia by Rainbow Bee Eater and SDA Engineering.
Download the full EOI : PORTLAND BIO-ENERGY PLANT – EOI FOR THE SUPPLY OF BIOMASS AND THE OFF-TAKE OF BIOCHAR AND WOOD VINEGAR FOR THE PERIOD 2022-27
Download the RBE 1 Pager Doc : PORTLAND: 24 x 7 RENEWABLE ENERGY WITH CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE
Biochar Code Of Practice
We are pleased to share with you a new Code of Practice for the Sustainable Production and Use of Biochar in Australia and New Zealand.
You can view the Code of Practice in the resources section of the website.
ANZBIG Launched
The world is in the process of a global transition, driven by a combination of advancements in technology and communication, government policy and regulation, resource and environmental constraints, and changing consumer behaviour and demands.
Biochar is an essential part of this next industrial revolution, creating a more sustainable future and positioning for greater economic prosperity, increased job opportunities, and continued quality of life for all of us.
Our newly formed industry group is here to help facilitate companies, governments and institutions to grow the sector and provide better outcomes for the societies of Australia and New Zealand.