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Development of Legume-Based Pastures for Beef Production in Dry Tropical Areas of Northern Australia
Publication Date
1981
Description
A program designed to select pasture legume species suitable for beef cattle grazing in the 500-1,500 mm annual rainfall zone of northern Australia is described. A detailed study of members of the genus Stylosanthes, involving spaced-plant studies and small-scale cutting trials at a number of sites, identified a number of persistent, high-yielding accessions. Animal-production studies have shown that the introduction of a legume into native pasture generally results in an increase in carrying capacity, although production/head may not increase unless superphosphate is applied. The Stylosanthes accessions can produce moderate to high yields without superphosphate, and only small applications of superphosphate may be necessary to give large increases in animal production. The major contributions of the legumes are to prolong the period of live-weight gain and to reduce or eliminate dry-season weight losses. This program has led to the release of cultivars in three species-S. hamata, S. scabra, and S. guianensis-and has shown that productive legume stands can be grown in dry tropical areas receiving more than 600 mm of rain/yr. Productive stands have also been grown in other countries.
Citation
McIvor, J G.; Jones, R J.; Gardener, C J.; and Winter, W H., "Development of Legume-Based Pastures for Beef Production in Dry Tropical Areas of Northern Australia" (1981). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 15.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1981/section12/15)
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Development of Legume-Based Pastures for Beef Production in Dry Tropical Areas of Northern Australia
A program designed to select pasture legume species suitable for beef cattle grazing in the 500-1,500 mm annual rainfall zone of northern Australia is described. A detailed study of members of the genus Stylosanthes, involving spaced-plant studies and small-scale cutting trials at a number of sites, identified a number of persistent, high-yielding accessions. Animal-production studies have shown that the introduction of a legume into native pasture generally results in an increase in carrying capacity, although production/head may not increase unless superphosphate is applied. The Stylosanthes accessions can produce moderate to high yields without superphosphate, and only small applications of superphosphate may be necessary to give large increases in animal production. The major contributions of the legumes are to prolong the period of live-weight gain and to reduce or eliminate dry-season weight losses. This program has led to the release of cultivars in three species-S. hamata, S. scabra, and S. guianensis-and has shown that productive legume stands can be grown in dry tropical areas receiving more than 600 mm of rain/yr. Productive stands have also been grown in other countries.
