ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE Leucaena for the long‑run CQueenslandentralbeef producersBrett and1. Understand your landeffectively grow leucaena:Brett said understandingHere are their tips tostrips before planting canmanagement.For example, cultivatingleucaena is to prioritise‘Goshen Station’,SNAPSHOT:Brett and TheresaBlennerhassett, Theresa Blennerhassett’s how different varieties of create opportunity for weeds. measured approach to leucaena perform in different Weed pressure can also be Mount Garnet, l managing leucaena is environments is critical for a problem where erosion Queensland paying dividends, paving its success. necessitates the need for the way to hit target “Be aware of your land types no-till planting. weights 6–12 months and climate,” he said. “Regularly checking your sooner than if they relied “Understanding your land leucaena and taking on pastures alone. helps when choosing the immediate action on any right variety of leucaena issues is really important to get Theyfirst planted leucaena the most out of it,” Brett said. in2008, but issues with for your operation and psyllidsin their managing it accordingly.”240ha of the He said it’s also important to Area: 27,500ha Cunningham variety sent 2. Preparation is key prioritise the management of invasive animals such Enterprise:Trade cattle them searching for a more A successful and highly tolerant variety. productive leucaena as kangaroos on newly Livestock: d stand depends on how established leucaena, as 3,400 Santa Gertrudis x In2018, Brett an Theresa early grazing can stunt Brahman cattle tookartpin the‘Redlands for the paddock is assessed plant growth. Regions’ initiativ as part ofe and prepared. Pasture: MLA’s Producer Innovation “Cultivate 6–12 months in 4. Optimise your own Redlands leucaena, Callide Fast-Track program. advance if you can, to try and leucaena Rhodes, Bisset, Seca stylo d reduce the weed seedbed,” Brett advises producers to Thenitiativei, manage by be observant and take the Soil: TheLeucaena Network, set Brett said. necessary steps to get the Black soil, heavy clay, red out to increase adoption of Land which has lots of most out of leucaena in their earth, granite and sandy soil the new Redlands variety of pre-existing legumes will environment. leucaena. present a challenge as Rainfall:900mm spraying for these legumes For example, the Planng Redlands hasti Blennerhassetts originally booste producvity ofd ti will kill leucaena, so cultivate Brett Blennerhassett t and clean out the paddock planted leucaena at a depth E: btblenner3@bigpond. Bret and Theresa’s property, before planting leucaena. of 35mm but later found ‘Goshen Station’, reducngi optimum germination on their com the turn-off time of live During the Producer land occurred at 10–15mm. export and feeder cattle by Innovation Fast-Track LESSONS 62–1 months. program, Brett and Theresa “When you start to establish LEARNED preparedtheir soil with leucaena, you learn a lot D iuring ther many years offset di , ripping 400mm about how to optimise your of growing leucaena, the scs deep. They sowed 32ha of own country and what works, > It’s critical to research Bll Redlandsennerhassetts have in 10m twin rows depending on the climate land, soil and leucaena earnt valuable lessons int with1m spacing. and soils.” ■ varieties before establishing and mainaining establishment. the legume to improve their 3. Prioritise management Below: Brett Blennerhassett at his Mount Garnet property where > Begin preparing operation and gain resilience Brett said another important he is realising the benefits of land 6–12 months in in difficult seasons. step to achieve productive well‑managed leucaena. advance to reduce weed seedbeds. > Check leucaena frequently after planting and prioritise management as needed. 33