Steer liveweight gain on Redlands Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena)-Urochloa decumbens (signal grass) pastures in coastal central Queensland

Abstract

Cattle liveweight gains in coastal central Queensland are constrained by poorer soils growing lower quality pastures and highly seasonal pasture growth (McLennan et al. 1987). However, there are areas of better soils suitable for sown pastures which can produce higher liveweight gains. Leucaena-sown grass-pastures improve productivity by providing high quality forage for longer time periods at higher stocking rates (Bowen et al. 2018). Leucaena productivity in coastal Queensland has been limited by the impact of psyllid insects. A psyllid tolerant variety (Redlands) was released in 2012, but limited animal production studies have been conducted with this variety. The aim of this study was to provide data on the comparative performance of cattle grazing Redlands leucaena-sown grass pastures and native grass pastures in coastal central Queensland.