Maryvale pasture trials testing legumes that could shape the future
Could legumes help shape the future of northern grazing systems?
It’s a question that sparked plenty of conversation when graziers visited Maryvale Station north of Charters Towers to inspect a novel pasture trial with property owner Alex Harrington.
The trial is testing a range of alternative pasture species and their suitability across different soil types and grazing landscapes, giving producers a firsthand look at what may, and may not, work in the paddock.
The trial, part of a farmer support group funded under Farmers Support Group for Charters Towers, included desmanthus, leucaena, gliricidia, and several other emerging legume options established across a range of soil types, from heavy black soils through to lighter country.
Grazier interest was high as the group walked through the sites discussing establishment success, productivity potential, persistence, and which species might suit different land types and management systems.
The practical nature of the conversations stood out, with graziers openly comparing experiences, asking questions about establishment challenges, and weighing up where legumes could fit into their own operations.
Researchers Chris Gardiner and Joe O’Reagain from James Cook University also provided supporting information and handouts for the visit, helping unpack some of the science behind the trial work.
Back in Charters Towers that evening, discussions shifted from paddocks to markets and global pressures affecting the grazing industry.
Kenneth and David Coleman from Coleman Cattle Feeds presented on how the current geopolitical climate could influence cattle nutrition and input costs moving forward, including the flow-on impacts to producers.
Topics included urea supply, phosphate availability, fertiliser pricing, and broader supply chain risks that may affect business costs into the future.
Although unable to attend in person, Rob Mitchell from Westpac also provided notes around interest rate pressures and the growing impact rising finance costs may have on profitability and business planning.
The session rounded out the day with plenty of conversation around managing uncertainty and keeping businesses resilient in changing conditions.
This bus trip was hosted through the Landholders Driving Change (LDC2) project, funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.
