For farmers · For dairy operators · For feedlots
Better feed conversion. Lower enteric methane. Healthier soils when the manure comes back out. The published evidence is strong; the Australian dairy trial pointed at around +2 L/cow/day.
Australian dairy trial
In an Australian dairy trial across four South Australian dairies (Rebbeck, 2023) , one dairy adding biochar at ~1% of the mixed ration reported around +2 L/cow/day in milk yield, +0.1 kg/day in solids, and ~$130k/year in additional profit on a 250-cow herd.
That trial used Mara Seeds Biochar. Possible Agriculture Biochar is a higher-grade hardwood biochar produced at higher pyrolysis temperatures than the product used in the trial, so we expect equivalent or better results — Possible Agriculture has not yet replicated the trial in its own product. Site-specific results vary by herd, ration and management.
Four-dairy trial, biochar at ~1% of mixed ration
~+2 L/cow/day
Milk yield increase (one of four dairies)
Trial: Rebbeck (2023) — published case study
Product used: Mara Seeds Biochar
Possible Agriculture Biochar is higher-grade hardwood at higher pyrolysis temperature; we expect equivalent or better results, replication pending.
Cattle research
Up to 25% live-weight gain
Live-weight gain (cattle, 0.6% DM)
Cattle on cassava-based ration with biochar at 0.6% of dietary DM
Source: Leng & Preston
22% reduction in enteric methane
Methane reduction — biochar alone
Cattle, biochar alone in ration
Source: Leng & Preston
41% reduction
Methane reduction — biochar + KNO₃
Cattle, biochar combined with potassium nitrate
Source: Leng & Preston
In a published cattle trial on a cassava-based ration (Leng & Preston), adding biochar at 0.6% of dietary dry matter increased live-weight gain by 25% and improved feed-conversion ratio from 23.2 to 19.1. The trial also recorded a 22% reduction in enteric methane from biochar alone, and a 41% reduction when biochar was combined with potassium nitrate as a non-protein nitrogen source.
Caveat: that trial used rice-husk biochar at 900°C. Possible Agriculture Biochar is hardwood at high pyrolysis temperature — the high-temperature property transfers, the feedstock differs. Site-specific results vary by ration and stock class.
Application rates
Cattle
0.6–1%
of dietary dry matter
Mixed into the ration. Introduce gradually over 7–10 days.
Poultry, pigs, sheep
1–2.5%
of feed
Per general feed-supplement research; species-specific guidance on request.
Soil & manure
5–15%
by volume in compost
Applied to manure piles or compost windrows to preserve N&P and reduce odour.
Manure handling
Biochar makes on-farm composting more valuable. It preserves the nitrogen and phosphorus that would otherwise volatilise into the atmosphere or leach into groundwater — while reducing odour at the same time. Apply biochar to manure piles or compost windrows before spreading; the result is a more stable, slower-release nutrient amendment for paddocks and pastures.
For mixed operations with livestock and crops, this closes the nutrient loop — manure-biochar compost replaces purchased fertiliser inputs while building durable soil carbon at the same time.
Yes — at the inclusion rates we recommend (0.6–1% of dietary DM for cattle, 1–2.5% for poultry, pigs, sheep). Our biochar is feed-grade activated hardwood biochar made from food-safe Australian Sugargum at high pyrolysis temperatures. We recommend introducing gradually over 7–10 days to allow the rumen to adapt.
Two mechanisms. First, the porous biochar structure provides surface area for beneficial rumen microbes to colonise — which improves feed conversion. Second, biochar binds methane precursors in the rumen, which is why the published methane reductions are so substantial (22% biochar alone, 41% combined with potassium nitrate
The Rebbeck trial used Mara Seeds Biochar — different feedstock, different pyrolysis profile to ours. Possible Agriculture Biochar is higher-grade hardwood at higher pyrolysis temperatures than the product used in that trial, so we expect equivalent or better results — replication pending. Site-specific results always vary by herd, ration and management. If you're running a trial we can help you design it so the data is actually useful.
Biochar makes on-farm composting more valuable: it preserves nitrogen and phosphorus that would otherwise volatilise or leach, while reducing odour. Apply to manure piles or compost windrows before spreading — the result is a more stable, slower-release nutrient amendment for paddocks and pastures.
Biochar production and composting are accepted methods for building soil carbon under the Australian framework. We can scope eligibility under the Emissions Reduction Fund and the ACCU scheme. Credit eligibility depends on project assessment by the Clean Energy Regulator — we'll be honest about what your specific situation supports.