Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a long-lived, perennial forage tree legume of very high nutritive value for ruminant production. In northern Australia, leucaena is direct seeded into hedgerows 5-10m apart, with grass species such as buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) planted in the inter-row to form a highly productive and sustainable grass-legume pasture that cattle graze directly. It generally is grown on deep, fertile soils in sub-humid environments with average rainfall of 600-800mm/year. Steer gains of 275-300kg/head per year are achieved, with short-term daily gains over the main growing season > 1kg/head. Being very deep-rooted, leucaena exploits moisture beyond the reach of grasses and remains productive well into the dry season. Once established, leucaena-grass pastures remain productive for > 40 years.
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Leucaena in Northern Australia: A Forage Tree Legume Success Story
Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a long-lived, perennial forage tree legume of very high nutritive value for ruminant production. In northern Australia, leucaena is direct seeded into hedgerows 5-10m apart, with grass species such as buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) planted in the inter-row to form a highly productive and sustainable grass-legume pasture that cattle graze directly. It generally is grown on deep, fertile soils in sub-humid environments with average rainfall of 600-800mm/year. Steer gains of 275-300kg/head per year are achieved, with short-term daily gains over the main growing season > 1kg/head. Being very deep-rooted, leucaena exploits moisture beyond the reach of grasses and remains productive well into the dry season. Once established, leucaena-grass pastures remain productive for > 40 years.
