"For me, Carbon Farming is a must in maintaining viability of my property. Carbon farming has taken the pressure off operating Cheyenne during tough conditions and seasons involving extreme weather events."
Nick has partnered with CarbonLink since 2016 when he initiated a soil carbon project. Today, his project has earned 28,859 ACCUs total, verified by the Clean Energy Regulator – 12,486 ACCUs in the first sampling round; 16,373 in the subsequent sampling round. During the most recent sampling period (T2), Cheyenne demonstrated a 10,494 tonne increase in soil organic carbon since starting the project.
Nick Blomfield from Cheyenne Pastoral operates a 759 hectare cattle enterprise near Walcha, NSW. His cattle numbers range from 300-500 with an average of 430 head. Paddock sizes range from 2 hectare to 30 hectare with an average size of 5.5 hectare.
Nick’s approach is rooted in regenerative agriculture, which drives every aspect of his work. His focus on grazing and resting pastures to develop deeper root systems, increase leaf growth, enhanced photosynthesis and improved plant vitality made a carbon farming project a natural progression for him. Sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and effectively storing it in the soil aligns with Nick’s commitment to sustainable farming and reducing long-term environmental impact, demonstrating how regenerative practices can contribute to agricultural productivity and profitable outcomes.
Focusing on optimising land management, CarbonLink recommended Cheyenne expand its paddock system, reduce average paddock sizes, and transition to a nutrient program including chicken manure, rock phosphate, and biological liquid plant food. Cheyenne has been able to maintain zero-use of synthetic fertilisers for ~30 years.
These strategic changes have enhanced soil water-holding capacity, improved aeration, and promoted healthier root growth, contributing to a more sustainable and productive farming approach.
Cheyenne averages 430 head of stock, with stock density up to 933 DSE per ha for periods as short as 12 hours. Cheyenne stocks conservatively at a quantity maintainable year-round, so as not to graze ground cover too low and expose soil to erosion.
The programme focused on high stocking density for short durations and aligning rest periods with pasture growth rates. Cattle graze 30-40% of paddock pasture in summer and up to 80% in winter, with rest periods of 40 days in summer and 120 days in winter to optimise pasture health.
Time-controlled grazing allowed Cheyenne Pastoral to maximise opportunity and rest the land well in between.
CarbonLink conducted a study to evaluate whether regenerative management at Cheyenne. Remote sensing evidence from 2016 to 2025 indicated that Cheyenne has maintained very high fractional vegetation cover, typically exceeding 90% across seasons, and experienced equal or greater cooling trends in land surface temperature in most months than conventional grazing systems in the region. Land surface temperature controls processes that underpin productivity: nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and organic matter dynamics. Cooler soils can support more stable water and nutrient availability
During periods of climatic stress, such as the 2019 drought, Cheyenne Pastoral retained higher cover than its conventional grazing systems in the region and Cheyenne subsequently recovered faster and to very high levels.
Over the 2021-2026 period, Cheyenne averaged +81% higher pasture biomass than conventional grazing systems in the region. In fact, Cheyenne sustained a 50–80% biomass uplift through the drought recovery and beyond.
This level of resilience is consistent with the long-term adoption of time-controlled grazing – practised on the property for more than three decades – which is known to support stronger groundcover, improved pasture recovery rates through deeper root growth, enhanced water retention, and decreased soil erosion – leading to greater drought resistance over time.
Hear from Nick Blomfield following his first round of ACCUs issued in 2024.
“The Cheyenne project is proof that size doesn’t limit your ability to make a difference. By adopting carbon farming strategies, Australian primary producers on farms of all sizes can be at the forefront of a sustainable future.”
