Bryant Ussher established a Leucaena-based cattle grazing system on his property after years of struggling with low rainfall and poor farming conditions. The introduction of Leucaena improved the carrying capacity from 1 livestock unit per 6 acres on natural grass to 1 unit per 2.5 acres with Leucaena. It also increased average daily weight gain from 0.8 kg to 1 kg per head. This allowed Bryant to maintain a viable cattle operation despite dry seasonal conditions, with production of high quality protein and improvements to soil and potential future carbon credits achieved with no chemical inputs or diesel use. Bryant found the Leucaena system addressed sustainability, profitability, environmental protection and productivity goals.

1. Leucaena development:
Owner & contractor’s perspective
Don’t be surprised
• Different country different tree growth
Establishing into old farming country. Healthy
trees about 3mths old. no grass (above).
2 years later with both healthy trees and good
grass. (below).
What I now see as healthy and productive is on
the right side of the fence, not the practices
adopted on the left side.
Our farming experience helped us
tremendously in the successful establishment
of Leucaena. Together with animal husbandry
skills and an understanding of the grazing
habits of livestock we have found a formula
which provides adequate cash flow through
the good and bad seasons, whilst improving
the quality of the soil resource we are using,
the use of limited water resources, and the
ability to step into the emerging market of
carbon credits.
Bryant’s findings
• Getting a strong understanding of the
requirements of our environment –
biodiversity is crucial, water utilization
essential
• Planning – monitoring – managing
• Allowing for good establishment
• Allowing for adequate recovery after
grazing periods
• Animal health comes from plant health
• Plant health comes from soil health
• Soil health comes from how we manage
our animals
Points to ponder if managing with Leucaena
• We must do things differently
• Consider both the grass and the tree are one
pasture
• To maximise productivity we need to
understand the growing needs of both.
• The ultimate result is to have good ground cover
of pasture and a good growing tree.
• For any good growth we need to allow good
recovery
• For good animal performance we need balanced
and nutritious feed
• All plants convert sun energy into roots & leaves
• They need to be green and growing
• Building strong root systems
• Our animals need a balanced diet of green
growing plant material
• Stocking rate is adjusted to match carrying
capacity
• So we need to Monitor & Measure and Manage
We all experience drought. What is important is
how we manage through drought.
With a passion for the beef industry Bryant made the decision to establish
Leucaena, after years of struggling farming conditions.
Bryant’s cattle enterprise commenced on natural grass pasture with crop stubble with a carrying
capacity of One Livestock Unit (LSU) per 6 acres. Using rotational grazing this improved to One
LSU to 4 acres. Both grazing systems yielded an average weight gain on young cattle of 0.8
kg/hd/day. With the inclusion of Leucaena the carrying capacity improved to One LSU per 2.5
acres with an average daily weight gain of 1 kg/hd.
The introduction of Leucaena into the enterprise lifted production and kept the operation viable
despite the record dry seasonal conditions. Over the years from 2004 to 2007 the annual rainfall
had been just over 75% of the annual average rainfall. The system established produced high
quality protein with no use of chemicals and diesel. The nitrogen returning to the soil aids the
grasses growing inter-rows and provides a platform for future carbon credits.
Tarramba variety was planted in twin rows with 5.3 metres centre and a full soil moisture
profile. Row spacing has now been extended out to 6 metres and 8 metres dependent on the soil
type. Planting was initially done using a single disc planting under a combine planter. A new
planter was made using the same single disc opener with an old combine seed box for seed
metering. Some fertilizer was used (mainly phosphorus), and 140 gms/ha of Spinnaker for weed
control.
Each paddock was grazed to take about 2/3 of the leaf at each graze. Silage has been used in the
system to condition the rumen to the higher protein feed and improve the temperament of cattle
through hand feeding. This also reduces the problems of mimosine toxicity by introducing animals
into the system with full rumens. Grazing the animals as a single mob allows more rapid spread of
the rumen bug hence reducing the problems of mimosine toxicity.
In an uncertain climate Leucaena has the potential to give long term sustainability in drier
conditions. It is environmentally friendly because once it is established there are no further inputs
of chemicals or diesel.
Bryant says that Leucaena based business, addresses the major hot topics in our industry;
sustainability, profitability, environment, carbon sequestration and a healthy product with
minimal environmental impacts. The Leucaena system is a win-win innovation with no down
side. Leucaena has the ability to increase production in dryer western areas and become part of a
management strategy to produce kilograms of beef through the drier periods whilst improving
soil quality and carbon levels
Bryant Ussher 0428 163 200
Grazier and Consultant originally from Chinchilla
84 Moran Group Rd, Kin Kin, Qld 4571
Methods
I have not always done what my neighbors have
done. So moving to a Leucaena-based pasture in
the Chinchilla district was not common.
So I got good advise on best practice for
establishment and did that.
I got good advise on grazing management (RCS)
and did that.
I got good advice on trading stock (KLR) and did
that.
I increased carrying capacity and increased weight
gain. The combine result was double what I could do
on grass. Becoming a profitable rural entity.
Conclusions
From one farmer to another. The Leucaena-
grass pasture does give better performance.
There are proven establishment practices and
there are certain varieties of the plant. So you
don’t have to question every aspect of the
value of having a Leucaena based pasture.
You only have to understand:
• Do you want to manage the different system?
• Do you understand the costs and the long
term benefits?
• Will you do all that is needed to get a
good establishment?
• Will you do what is needed to manage the
different system?
• Do you want a more diverse grazing system
that can give you better returns and better
drought resilience?