LOCAL SOIL SCIENCE YIELDS BIG DIVIDENDS FOR FARMERS

A soil carbon start-up in the Central West has received a $9.3 million grant from the Federal Government to continue its revolutionary research and development in regional Australia.

The funding, through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, has been awarded to Orange-based start-up Loam Bio.

Loam Bio has developed a ground-breaking seed treatment which enables crop farmers to increase the productivity and resilience of their farming systems, while helping to stop climate change.

Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the multi-million-dollar grant backs science, technology, and innovation in the bush.

“In a humble-looking shed on the outskirts of Orange, you’ll find a team of top scientists looking at how soil can help farmers earn some extra dough, and give the planet a bit of a hand, too,” said Mr Gee.

“The shed is the headquarters of Aussie start-up Loam Bio, which has set up the second biggest soil analysis lab in Australia right here in the Central West.

“Recently I had the chance to meet the team at Loam Bio and visit the lab where they’re developing products that help farmers boost their yield per acre by improving soil health, increasing water retention in the soil, and encouraging the nutritional uptake of their crops.

“The seed treatment also enables the soil to absorb more carbon, enabling farmers to participate in carbon markets.

“This means that through drought or through flood, farmers will be able to earn income from their land through carbon farming.

“The capture and storage of carbon in soil also gives our planet a bit of a hand by reducing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

“It's great that the Australian Government is supporting Loam Bio to support our farmers with a $9.3 million grant through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. I was very impressed with what I saw there during my visit.

“This is a game-changing opportunity for our local farmers and our country,” Mr Gee said.

ENDS

Media contact: Sinead Fogarty – 0417 852 386