ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE FEEDBASE f Unlocking leucaena’s potential Producers have new information to help unlock the potential of leucaena, with the release of an updated guide to establishing the highly productive forage legume. When it comes to leucaena, University of Queensland (UQ) Associate Professor Max Shelton certainly knows the secrets to its success. He’s been studying it since 1991 and has helped develop new varieties. Max was co-author of the original guide to establishing and managing leucaena published by MLA in 2006. Twin rows of leucaena sown 10m apart. With so much new information about leucaena produced since then, he Meeting requirements There’s also a risk of leucaena said the updated guide is an important spreading beyond its paddock into resource for producers. The new guide responds to producers’ need for the latest industry information,waterways and common land if it’s not “We’ve accumulated a wealth backed by on-farm learnings. properly managed after establishment. of scientific and on‑farm data “The beef industry’s requirements are “The guide details these risks and which we’ve used to update changing,” Max said. how correct management effectively prevents them,” Max said. the original guide,” Max said. “The demand for good-quality grassfed beef is still high, but it’s coupled withThe Executive Officer of The Leucaena “We want to see people get the most out a requirement for producers to provide Network, Bron Christensen, said the of their leucaena with this new guide. good environmental stewardship of new guide explains how establishment their land. practices depend on land types and “It’s such a valuable crop and we outlines the most suitable approach. want producers to receive the “The updated leucaena guide addresses value for all 30 years of its potential thesechallenge, detailing how tos “We now know you have to understand productive lifespan.” usethe bestland availableto produce the environment leucaena’s ahigh-quality and economically being introduced to, which can beneficialproduct, while maintaining change recommendations around The new guide, An introduction establishment and management,” to leucaena – the productive and environmental sustainability. Bron said. ■ sustainable forage legume, is “When correctly managed, leucaena produced by UQ and MLA with input can reduce enteric methane emissions Max Shelton from the Queensland Department by up to 20%, sequester carbon and E: m.shelton@uq.edu.au of Agriculture and Fisheries and was increase organic matter in soil, while released in May 2020. also massively improvinganimal weight Nigel Tomkins It gives producers the latest gains. Steers grazing leucaena will put E: ntomkins@mla.com.au information on: on between 250–300kg/year.” Bronwyn Christensen • new varieties of leucaena Managing risks E: admin@leucaena.net • sustainable grazing practices The guide also examines financial and Producer guide: An introduction • the economics of leucaena, environmental risks. to leucaena including costs and return mla.com.au/leucaena For example, Max said removing The Leucaena Network on investment land from production while leucaena • environmental impacts leucaena.net is established – which can take • management strategies. 6–12 months before light grazing is possible – can be seen as a financial risk. 32