ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE “However, Indonesianproducers don’t inoculate.Network’s Code of Practice.Max said producers growingSeed supply They gradually introduce their leucaena need to minimise cattle (and goats) to leucaenaand the cattle adapt to thethe amount of seed produced. limited mimosine by neutralising it in “If leucaena produces a lot by dry the liver. of seed, it’s not being used “Indonesian animals initially efficiently and producers experience minor symptoms, need to follow the Code of 2–4 weeks.such as hair loss, butthey gradually adapt overwhere to plant and control anyunwanted spread,” he said.Practice recommendations on Supplies of Redlands, Australia’s newpsyllid-resistant leucaena variety,will remain tight during 2019 due to This concern is driving the ongoing dry conditions. “They are then able to development of sterile consume 100% leucaena However, according to its exclusive growers diets without health problems, leucaena varieties which and suppliers (Peter Larsen of Leucseeds, make excellent weight could create new grazing Banana, Queensland, and Bruce Mayne, gains, and win the local opportunities, particularly in Calliope, Queensland), some seed may be bull-fattening competitions. WA’s north where forage plant available for those who can wait to plant late species are tightly controlled. ■ in the growing season. “We now have good evidence that this process of adaptation “At the moment, signs are encouraging that we’ll is also occurring in Australian Takeaways: have seed ready to be harvested in February, cattleconsuming leucaena.” so, by the time it’s cleaned and analysed, I hope • 120 delegates from we’d have seed available by mid-to-late March,” Environment 12 countries attended Bruce said. The conference also the 2018 International Leucaena Conference. “We’re hoping to have enough to satisfy the list highlighted leucaena’s of orders we have so far. environmental impacts, • Leucaena is one of both positive and negative. the most productive, “The biggest inhibitor this year has been the profitable and extreme heat, a dry winter and not much rain “Environmentally, leucaena is sustainable forage in the spring.” a bonus for beef production option for tropical and systems, reducing greenhouse subtropical regions. Bruce said a consequence of the tough year gas emissions by 20%, and • Leucaena provides was the tendency of seeds to ripen unevenly, has carbon sequestration an effective drought potentially leading to reduced yields if the crop benefits as well,” Max said. management strategy. is harvested mechanically. “In Colombia and Mexico, • Producers in Indonesia, “We’re considering picking some of the seed biodiversity and soil health Thailand and Mexico by hand as it ripens, which is labour intensive improvements have been do not use livestock and expensive, but it’s the best way to retain as achieved through the rumen inoculant and much quality seed as possible,” he said. integrated plantings of still manage high levels of leucaena feeding. Peter, who has also weathered a challenging improved tropical grasses season, said there was little chance of seed-set and avenues of valuable • Development of sterile on his crop before June–July. tree species within leucaena varieties leucaena plantations. would benefit the “The trees lost most of their leaves through the environment and dry and there has only been enough rain to “This has increased milk potentially boost regrow new leaf,” he said. and meat production productivity in WA’s through providing additional northern region. “If we get a good drenching this summer I would nutrients, shade and animal expect a flowering, and it takes five months for welfare benefits.” seed to be ready for harvest. Is it a weed? Dr Max Shelton “Our only hope of getting any seed before then is Leucaena’s tendency to E: m.shelton@uq.edu.au if someone who planted this time last year from spread and the importance our seed sales has had a lot of rain in spring.” ■ Information on toxicity: of managing seed production mla.com.au/leucaena- Bruce Mayne was also discussed at the toxicity E: brucemayne@outlook.com conference. In Queensland, Growing leucaena: this is managed by producers Peter Larsen under The Leucaena leucaena.net E: leucseeds@outlook.com 15