This article was first published in the October 2025 issue of TerraWise Insights. To get the latest updates and insights, subscribe today.

Carbon accounting isn’t just paperwork – it’s fast becoming key to market access and how supply chains judge farm businesses. We’ve spoken with growers and industry across WA; the message is clear: legislation is moving, supply chains are asking questions, and farmers want to stay ahead. At its core is good data. Drawing on our client work, we’ve outlined practical steps to get your farm records ready for carbon accounting next year.

Why Good Data Matters

Carbon accounting turns on-farm practices into numbers – emissions, sequestration, and efficiency. Better records give a much clearer picture of emissions intensity per tonne. This matters because supply chains want accurate, farm-level data to compare production systems fairly. Without it, you risk being judged on generic averages that don’t reflect your efficiency. Strong data doesn’t just support carbon reporting—it drives smarter decisions and a more resilient, efficient farm business.

What Kind of Data Do You Need?

Think beyond standard financials. Carbon accounting zooms in on activities at the paddock and commodity level. Here are some key areas:

Cropping

• Fuel Use: Tracked by paddock, crop type, and machine hours.
• Fertilisers & Chemicals: What was used, where, and how much.
• Management Practices: Records of soil work, amelioration, or renovations.
• Yields: Accurate data is key for calculating emissions intensity.

Livestock

• Stock Movements: Births, purchases, sales.
• Weights: Entry, exit, weaning.
• Grazing & Feed: Paddock use, confinement, supplementary feed.
• Pasture & Paddock Inputs: Renovation, seeding, fertiliser and chemical use.
• Outputs: Wool and carcass weights.

Horticulture

• Yield & Harvest Data: Block-specific figures.
• Wastage: Quantity and reasons for loss.
• Power & Refrigerants: Energy type, usage, and refrigerant volumes.
• Fert/Chem Applications: Details of timing and frequency.

Start Simple, Build Over Time

No one gets it perfect in the first season – the key is to start. Build on your existing systems adding detail each year, and your records will become more complete, accurate, and timely, making carbon accounting smoother and more credible.

At Planfarm TerraWise, every account includes a Data Quality Score that shows how detailed and usable your records are, with clear steps to improve. Don’t worry if your first score is modest – it’s just a starting point for steady progress and more valuable insights over time.

Make Technology Work for You

Data collection doesn’t have to mean more notebooks or late-night admin. Digital systems are best – spreadsheets work, but handwritten notes are slow and error-prone.
Modern tools make it easier:

• AgWorld – crop planning, inputs, yields
• AgriWebb or Mobble – livestock and paddocks
• JDLink – machinery data from John Deere

Choose the software that fits your operation and check with advisors on tools they use to avoid double handling – many systems already integrate. The goal is to make data capture part of your everyday routine until it becomes second nature.

Harvest Season: A Key Moment

Harvest is one of the best times for data capture. A few simple habits can make a big difference:

• GPS Mapping: Turn on GPS during harvest to map yields by paddock – valuable for both carbon accounting and agronomic decisions.
• Yield Recording: Record actual yields (not estimates) and link them to each paddock or block.
• Fuel Tracking: Note machinery hours and fuel use – headers, trucks, and augers are major energy users.

Set quick reminders to capture data while it’s fresh – whether it’s a note on the cab windscreen or a phone alert. Small habits now will save big headaches later.

Don’t Forget Data Security

Your carbon account includes business-sensitive information, so it’s worth knowing exactly who can see it and how it’s used. If a service is free, ask why – does the provider benefit from accessing your farm data? Always check how your information is stored, who owns it, and whether it could be shared.
At Planfarm TerraWise, we’re an independent business by design. We don’t have vested interests in your data – our sole focus is working for and with our farm business clients.

The Payoff

Good data isn’t just about compliance – it’s an investment in your business. Accurate records strengthen your position with supply chains and open doors to new opportunities, from sharper agronomic and farm business insights to better insurance options and access to new green finance products.
The groundwork you lay now will pay off for years to come – helping you make smarter decisions, operate more efficiently, and build a more resilient farm business.

Future-Ready Farming

Preparing your farm for carbon accounting in 2026 isn’t about starting over – it’s about sharpening the systems you already use. National reporting standards are still being finalised, but that’s no reason to wait improving data capture and management now will put you well ahead when supply chains ask for evidence. Step by step, you’ll build records that make your carbon account credible and help you run a smarter, more resilient and more profitable farm.