The Biochar Podcast

How can biochar transform sports turf management into a profitable, sustainable practice?

In this episode, we sit down with James Gaspard, CEO of Biochar Now (USA), to unpack a groundbreaking California golf course case study. After investing ~$300,000 AUD in biochar, the course achieved nearly $3 million in water savings over six years — delivering a return on investment in just six months.

We cover:

• How biochar improves turf resilience, aesthetics, and soil health

• The measurable ROI of water savings and reduced inputs

• What makes turf an emerging, lucrative market for biochar worldwide

• Practical lessons for golf courses, sports fields, and turf managers in Australia & New Zealand

Learn more in The Farmer’s Guide to Biochar by Paul Taylor & Stephen Joseph: https://www.anzbig.org/farmers-guide.html

In the first episode of ANZBIG’s on-the-ground series, we dive into two real-world horticulture trials featured in our Farmer’s Guide. Mayo Ryan (CTOS Group) walks us through a vineyard biochar trial—covering the site, soils, climate, biochar type and rates, and how it was applied alongside practices like compost and irrigation management. Then Russell Burnett (Rainbow Bee Eater) shares the Ballarat potato trial—trial design, soil/treatment layout, biochar incorporation, and adjustments to inputs.

Together we explore early signals in soil moisture, nutrient cycling, structure, vine health and grape quality, plus what’s emerging on potato yields, profitability, and input efficiency. You’ll also hear the challenges, what they’d do differently, and practical advice for growers considering biochar.

👉 Download the Farmer’s Guide (digital or paperback): https://www.anzbig.org/farmers-guide.html
🎧 Next up: Sports Turf & Biochar—our Californian golf course case with James Gaspard (Biochar Now), where a A$300k biochar purchase at ~A$3,000/t delivered nearly A$3M in water savings over six years—~6-month payback.

In this episode, ANZBIG Cluster Manager Sam Zagami sits down with a Louisa Kiely, CEO of Carbon Management Services, a leading voice in carbon farming to explore:What sparked her journey into carbon farming and low-carbon agriculture? Why does she say that “soil carbon is the largest carbon sink over which we have control”—and what does that mean for Australia's climate goals and rural economies?We also discuss what governments still need to do to unlock the full carbon farming opportunity, and how farmers and investors alike can position themselves to benefit. Finally, we tackle the tough questions around credibility and integrity: how can carbon farming avoid the same pitfalls that have plagued carbon offsetting?This is a grounded, insightful conversation for anyone interested in climate resilience, future farming, and turning soil into a climate solution.Connect with Louisa via: Carbon Management Services and be sure to check out and attend the upcoming National Carbon Farming Conference.

This compelling podcast exploring the real-world policy challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of biochar. Led by experts in circular economy, carbon accounting, and regulatory strategy, this session unpacks the barriers holding back progress—and the practical solutions pushing projects forward.

What You’ll Learn:

• Key regulatory gaps across waste, carbon, and agriculture

• Strategies for navigating permitting, classification, and carbon methods

• How to build enabling frameworks and drive real policy change

This episode offers actionable insights, expert panel discussion, and a roadmap for collaboration across sectors.

This interactive podcast-style webinar brings together industry leaders, carbon market experts, and biochar practitioners to discuss how biochar supports the circular economy and carbon removal markets. The session provided insights into monetising biochar, its role in carbon credit generation, and how to scale industry adoption.

Biochar and Water Management: Innovations for Market Development and Circular Economy Outcomes. In this session, we’ll explore how converting wastewater biosolids into nutrient-rich biochar can drastically reduce disposal costs, lower carbon emissions, and boost water retention in soils. Discover how these innovative processes are unlocking new revenue streams and driving sustainable market growth while advancing circular economy outcomes.

This episode brings together ⁠AORA⁠ and ANZBIG to explore the powerful synergy of biochar and compost for farmers, compost producers, and sustainability stakeholders. The discussion will focus on practical insights for improving soil health, boosting crop yields, achieving measurable ROI, and contributing to the circular economy. The episode features real-world case studies from the ⁠ANZBIG Farmers' Guide⁠ and proven strategies for implementing biochar compost systems on the ground.

ANZBIG celebrates Water Week by focusing today's episode on Biochar in Water: Enhancing Water-Holding Capacity for Economic Growth and Healthy Ecosystems.

Cluster Manager Sam Zagami is joined by Wendy Timms from Deakin University, where they explore biochar's water-holding capacity and its role in promoting healthy ecosystems and driving economic growth. They also delve into its positive impact on soil moisture and carbon storage, its contributions to drought resilience and food security, and more.

Wendy brings over 30 years of experience in water and porous earth engineering projects, research, and training. As a Chartered Engineer (Civil/Environmental) and environmental scientist, she has worked in consulting, government, and academia. Wendy currently serves as a Professor of Environmental Engineering at Deakin University, where she teaches waste-to-resources engineering, water engineering, and geology. She leads a dedicated research team in areas such as water and energy below ground, carbon sequestration, and biochar.

You can connect with Wendy through ANZBIG at anzbig.org or reach out to her directly at [email protected]

Join us as Craig Bagnall, Director of SEATA Group and Catalyst Environmental Management, as well as an Executive Board Member of ANZBIG, speaks with Sam Zagami, ANZBIG Cluster Manager. Together, they delve into the compelling potential of biochar in displacing fossil carbon. In this enlightening podcast episode, Craig explores both soil and non-soil applications of biochar, presenting global examples that showcase its diverse usage. Discover how biochar can effectively draw down carbon and learn about the instrumental role the Australian Biochar Industry 2030 Roadmap plays in propelling biochar into the mainstream in Australia and New Zealand.

We are back! Our last podcast in 2022, ANZBIG was fundraising for the Biochar Summit and the world-first Biochar Roadmap. In June this year 2023, we launched the Australian Biochar Industry 2030 Roadmap. For our first episode back after a little hyatis Cluster Manager Sam Zagami speaks with ANZBIG CEO Don Coyne giving a snapshot of what ANZBIG has been doing over the past year: The journey from the Biochar Summit last year, ANZBIG international events, launching the Roadmap in June this year and the plan moving forward for ANZBIG.

To get read the roadmap and get involved head to our website https://anzbig.org/biochar-industry-2030-roadmap/