ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE FEEDBASE f Redlands a game changer for northern beef The opportunity to open “It’ll also lift the potential for better up large areas for rangeland management by reducing leucaena‑based grazing stocking rate pressure on native systems in the north’s pastures and contribute to targets for a high rainfall zones is now here, carbon neutral beef industry by 2030. with the commercial release of a Leucaena has already been shown to psyllid‑resistant variety. reduce methane emissions intensity by up to 20% in research conducted by After almost 15 years in the making,the National Livestock Methane Project, Redlands leucaena was launched in Maymanaged by MLA, from 2010–15.” at ‘Pinnarendi Station’, Mount Surprise,Redlands seed is now available from Queensland – the site of a large‑scaletwo exclusive growers and suppliers: trial comparing the new variety to the conventional Wondergraze variety. Peter Larsen of Leucseeds, Banana, They planted 240ha of leucaena 10 Queensland and Bruce Mayne, years ago which was largely destroyed Cattle grazing Redlands at PinnarendiCalliope, Queensland. by psyllids, so they’ve been keenly have demonstrated an average daily gain watching the development of a of 0.69kg – no different to those grazingFor producers like Peter and Lornapsyllid‑resistant variety. the psyllid‑susceptible Wondergraze.Langtree, ‘Wyvuri’, Bramston Beach, That live weight gain is double whatwho attended the launch, Redlands’ As part of the MLA Producer Innovation would be expected from animals potential is enormous. Fast‑Track program with The Leucaena grazing native pasture only, in the same Network, Brett and Theresa planted The Langtrees run 600 Droughtmaster 70ha of Redlands using a precision environment. Redlands has proven bothbreeders on black sand and peat palatable and free from attack by psyllids. Norseman leucaena planter early last swamp country with low‑protein year. Overall establishment success Bred by researchers at the Universitypastures, turning off weaners that arewas 70% and cattle were put in early in of Queensland and developed with sent west for fattening. May for initial grazing. funding from MLA, Redlands was “We’d like to bring our herd back to 400 described as a game changer by MLA “We believe Redlands is the pathway to Managing Director Jason Strong, who head and fatten the weaners at home toturning off our steers and heifers 6–12 performed the official launch. retain profit, but we need better feed tomonths earlier. It’s all about weight‑for‑ do that,” Peter said. agein northern beef,” Brett said. Of the $7 million invested in leucaena“Leucaena hasn’t been an option to date research and development across Double value 26 projects to date, using both MLA due to psyllids. If I can get my weanersNorthern Queensland breeders Tom Donor Company funds and levies, from 250kg to 350kg at home, that’s and Christine Saunders have recorded almost 12% has been dedicated to feedlot entry weight. The availability ofclose to double the weight gains in the development and assessment of Redlands now is very exciting for us.”weaners on leucaena compared to psyllid‑resistant leucaena. Pathway to earlier turn‑off native pastures. “Adoption of leucaena will increase Brett and Theresa Blennerhassett, The couple run 1,000 Droughtmaster– carrying capacities in north and coastal‘Goshen Station’, Mount Garnet, runBrahman breeders on ‘Whitewater Queensland, reduce age at turn‑off, 1,500 Brahman–Santa Gertrudis Station’, Mount Surprise, which is extend feedbase quality further intobreeders, turning off live export predominantly black spear and the dry season and enable producers steers at 350–380kg and heifers at Indian couch. They planted 40ha of to target premium slaughter markets,”300–350kg on native pastures, namelyWondergraze in 2016 on well‑draining, Jason said. black spear and kangaroo grass. high‑phosphorous and low‑sulphur 16