Loam Bio brings new carbon opportunities to the U.S.

The Australia-based company Loam Bio is set to bring a new microbial technology and carbon program to the U.S. this growing season. 

CarbonBuilder, a novel biological technology, aims to increase stable soil carbon, and will work hand-in-hand with SecondCrop, the company’s carbon program. Both will be available to soybean farmers six states — North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin — for the 2024 season. 

How does CarbonBuilder work?

 Loam Bio screened and selected fungi that helps sequester additional carbon. The product is applied at planting through a dry flowable lubrication approach, and can act as a substitute for graphite talc powder. 

“Our product comes in a 10-pound pouch which consists of 50% of the biologicals and 50% of the graphite talc,” says Kevin Hodges, senior vice president of U.S. commercial operations for Loam Bio. “The farmer applies that on their soybean seed at the time of planting. It then adheres to the seed and then ends up in the furrow.”

CarbonBuilder is compatible with most additional seed treatments, and any later herbicide applications can be made without damaging the product's effectiveness.

The product aims to enhance stable carbon sequestration, meaning it focuses on building long-term carbon pools. For farmers, this could lead to a premium from those looking for the most environmentally beneficial carbon credits. 

While CarbonBuilder was designed with the SecondCrop program in mind, additional benefits are also seen when using the biological. 

“We’ve designed these products with both carbon benefit and kind of agronomic benefit in mind,” says Guy Hudson, the CEO of Loam Bio.” If we can accelerate the rate at which we sequester carbon, we’re seeing those additional agronomic benefits, like water infiltration and access to nutrients, more quickly.”

Cost estimates range from $13-$18 per acre, depending on seeding rates and available rebate or incentive programs. 

SecondCrop carbon program

By combining their outcome-based carbon program with the CarbonBuilder product, Loam Bio aims to fix a problem many environmentally-focused farmers face. 

“The concern around additionality is solved by the farmer applying CarbonBuilder at the time of planting,” says Hodges. “Farmers that are already focused on regenerative agriculture on their operation, as well as those more geared towards conventional till, can participate in the SecondCrop carbon program. CarbonBuilder allows most, if not all, types of farmers to enter into SecondCrop.”

Initial commitments for the program will last two years, with subsequent commitments of four years available. Carbon will be measured every two years through a direct measurement approach.

Once carbon sequestration is verified, Loam Bio will complete a credit issuance, allowing farmers to sell their carbon credits.

For more information about CarbonBuilder and SecondCrop, visit LoamBio.com.