Drilling into the data on soil carbon – Dr Jori Bremer joins Precision Pastures

Dr Jori Bremer, originally from the Netherlands, joined the Precision Pastures team in late 2022 as a research analyst following extensive academic studies in agricultural science focused on crop production natural resource management, and grazing systems.

In recent years, the agricultural industry has experienced a rapid evolution, driven by
advancements in technology and the growing need for sustainable and efficient farming
practices. This evolution – and the reliance on data to make informed decisions in farming
systems – were driving factors behind Dr Jori Bremer’s move to join Precision Pastures in
Armidale.

Precision Pastures interim CEO and executive director Hamish Webb said, “As a pioneering
pasture, agronomy and carbon services company, we have recently made a significant move
by recruiting Dr Jori Bremer, an expert in grazing systems, whose academic career spans
farming systems from the Netherlands to Nepal to West Africa, culminating with her PhD
research in Indonesia and Australia”.

“The soil carbon industry is growing extremely fast, with varied and often confusing
information about how soil carbon works. Our plan is to invest in research to put data, facts
and figures at the centre of our services, to ensure the maximum benefit with the least
possible risk to our soil carbon clients,” Hamish said.

“We welcome Jori’s rigorous approach to data management and her critical analysis of her
research.”

Jori will be responsible for coordinating two significant Research and Development projects
in collaboration with Meat and Livestock Australia – focused on the relationship between
soil moisture, pasture and carbon production. She will also assist with Precision Pastures’
soil data analysis to ensure the highest quality recommendations to farmers keen to boost
their pasture performance, soil health, and overall livestock production.

Jori said she was pleased to join an innovative, data-driven company pioneering new
technology and farming practices, particularly in the soil carbon industry.
“Precision Pastures offers me the opportunity to work at the forefront of agricultural
innovation,” Jori said.

“The company’s commitment to sustainable farming practices aligns with my vision for a
more environmentally conscious and efficient agriculture sector, enhanced and validated by
data we collect digitally and by soil sampling in the paddock.”

She said she is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to put her research to the test in the
workplace, building on key research skills obtained throughout her academic career.
“A large component of my PhD was data analysis, organising and interpreting results. I had
some existing knowledge of soil science which has helped with Precision Pasture’s focus on
soil testing,” she said.

“I enjoy the variety of my role – some weeks I am behind the computer, but this week I am
going out to do pasture cuts and checking equipment for the MLA projects on various farms
throughout the New England. It’s good to be on-site and gain context to the data we are
collecting.”

A once self-confessed soil carbon “sceptic”, Jori admits to having changed her view on the
carbon sequestration industry, after witnessing Precision Pastures’ soil test results that
demonstrate increases in soil carbon following certain agronomic practices on-farm.
“I didn’t know much about soil carbon farming to begin with, so I was sceptical, but that’s
why it is so interesting doing these MLA projects: they actually prove that when your
pasture management practices are optimised, there is a real opportunity to increase soil
carbon,” Jori said.

“We need more time to see what happens to soil carbon year-on-year, but from our
preliminary results, there is a big opportunity for agriculture. Carbon projects aside,
boosting soil carbon is a way of getting people to adopt good agricultural practices and to
realise production benefits whilst doing so.”