B.NBP.0812 - Progressing superior tropical grasses and legumes in seasonally dry Queensland
The profitability and productivity of grass fed beef production in northern QLD can been lifted through the introduction of 'production paddocks' of either legumes or legume + grass mixes. Gross margins per ha were increased 2-6 fold.
| Project start date: | 30 April 2017 |
| Project end date: | 28 February 2023 |
| Publication date: | 02 July 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Queensland |
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Summary
Seasonal deficits of yield and quality of native grasslands limits the profitability of beef growing and breeding enterprises in moderate rainfall areas of northern and central Queensland. Fertilised mixed grass-legume systems produced high pasture yields on fertile red basalt (sulphur fertiliser) and infertile red earth (phosphorous plussulphur fertiliser) soils.
Productive combinations of grasses and legumes were identified. Seasonal changes in forage quality emphasised the critical role of legume leaf in maintaining animal performance in the dry-season. Well-adapted and high-yielding grasses and legumes were also identified for red and black basalt soils near Charters Towers, a previously omitted land-type. Bio-economic analyses at paddock and property levels showed legume only and mixed grass-legume strip systems profitable on fertile and infertile land-types.
producers, although some specific knowledge is required to minimise the risk failure.
The use of production paddocks should provide more resilience to enterprises in the seasonally dry tropics by increasing livestock growth rates and therefore cash flow (weaner/steer sales) through turning off animals earlier or achieving higher sale weights. This can in turn decrease the amount of nitrogen supplements required for growth during the mid- to late- dry season and improve profitability without increasing stocking rates beyond sustainable levels
Objectives
1. Develop on-property research sites to test combinations of promising grasses and legumes on a range of land-types. Manage as a dry-season ‘weaner’ or ‘grower’ paddock.
2. Measure establishment and seasonal performance of grass/legume combinations under grazing.
3. Estimate the financial benefit (or otherwise) of the sown-pasture system at a property level.
4. Promote the results to beef producers and seed companies.
These objectives were achieved for four of the six sites, but late establishment of two sites meant results were limited to performance during establishment. Economic analyses were conducted for two scenarios on infertile and fertile land-types in north Queensland.
Key findings
A range of grasses and legumes were identified as being well-adapted and productive on red and black basalt soils in the low rainfall region near Charters Towers. Herbage yields for the best performing legumes were in the order of 6-9 T DM/ha over the growing season: grasses were slightly lower on the red soil and higher on the black soil. The best performing types were:
• red basalt: (legumes) Stylosanthes seabrana, S. scabra and Macroptilium bracteatum (grasses) Bothriochloa insculpta, Brachiaria spp.
• black basalt: (legumes) Desmanthus spp., S. seabrana, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Clitoria ternatea (grasses) Dichanthium aristatum, Bothriochloa insculpta followed by a range of moderate yielding types.
Establishment of grass and legume seeds was shown to be highly successful using simple cultivation and weed control systems in north and central Queensland. Low rainfall after sowing favoured legumes and high rainfall favoured grasses.
Bio-economic analyses showed the introduction of ‘production paddocks’ using strips established in native pastures provided significant benefits for business profitability at paddock and business scales on fertile (red basalt) and infertile (red earth). Gross margins per hectare were increased 3 to 6-fold over native pastures depending on land-type or sowing choice. Grass+legume systems resulted in greater animal productivity and profitability than legume only systems even though they were more expensive to develop.
Benefits to industry
New field data and economic assessments were developed to support the development of legume-based ‘production paddocks’ in north Queensland. Adoption of these should improve the capacity for businesses to turn off weaners and steers and improve the health of female replacements for older or non-performing breeders without increasing stocking rates beyond sustainable levels. Key benefits at a business level include increased cashflow and the capacity to pay down debt. Although initial costs can be significant, the benefits of adopting legumes accrue over the long-term because (well-managed) stylo / native grass systems can remain productive over 30+ years.
Benefits to the beef industry accumulate as producers establish legumes to create productive long-term pastures. Improved weaner and steer turn off and growth rates will improve supply into the finishing sector and provide a greater range of options for different growth and marketing paths in north Queensland and other regions. The establishment of productive dry-season feed options across larger areas of the industry will also help insulate the industry from extended or unseasonable periods of low rainfall.
MLA action
Research is being further through an MDC partnership with DAFQ in a $25 M investment in the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program. This initiative is designed to promote the diversification and resilience of the feedbase in QLD to enhance livestock production. The northern region which has been the focus of the project forms a node in this new partnership.
Future research
Research and development
1. Demonstrations on commercial properties across regions and land-types to measure animal performance and validate the economic benefits estimated to date. These should have high levels of producer input and seek to address producer questions required for adoption.
2. Research to identify the most economically effective approach to fertilising legumes with phosphorous and/or sulphur across a range of soil fertility situations and use these to form industry recommendations.
3. Address seed-related impediments to successful adoption and pasture performance.
Extension and adoption
4. Promote the adoption of legume production paddocks using regionally distributed commercial-scale demonstrations. Follow up with small-group extension and skills development focussed around the establishment of paddocks on new properties.
5. Coordinate a drive for adoption with the pasture seed industry to match the supply of seed with emerging demand and to gain consistency with messaging (cultivar selection for different landtypes, seed preparation and establishment methods).
6. As part of a broader program to encourage the adoption of legumes in north Queensland, it would be highly useful to benchmark the adoption of legumes at an industry level through field surveys conducted across land-types and use the information to focus adoption needs.
More information
| Project manager: | Felice Driver |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Kendrick Cox |
