“For too long we have been carbon mining,” organiser of yesterday’s Carbon Farming Expo at Borenore, Luisa Kiely said.

“We have been using inappropriate methods for Australian soils, and you don't have to believe in climate change to benefit from looking after your soils.”

One of the region's converts to carbon farming is Rylstone grazier and winner of the Carbon Cockie award Sam Hamilton, who changed his property's strategies in 1994.

“We decided that we would no longer get in feed and removed a lot of the stock in response to the drought,” Mr Hamilton said.

In 1995 – 96 he converted to a system of cell grazing, where in a 10-hectare paddock he would feed a couple of thousand sheep for up to three days before moving them into another cell or paddock. This change was initially met with some scepticism from other locals but the results are now self evident.

“Witchcraft was how it was viewed,” Mr Hamilton said.

“But now we have changed our soil structure and have a high level of litter, which means our soil takes a lot longer to dry out.”

The change of focus from animal production to soil protection is one that strikes a chord with Tom Nicholas from Healthy Soils Australia.

“Animals and grasses evolved together and if we adopt a system based around the holistic management of animals and accept the natural systems, we will reap the harvests while saving money, and our farms,” he said.