Low-input, high quality legume hays for north Queensland

Perennial herbaceous legumes grown for hay can improve beef and dairy production in north Queensland through providing affordable high-quality (digestible protein) dry season feed. Eleven Arachis ecotypes (A. pintoi (5), A. glabrata (3), A. paraguariensis (2) and A. kretschmeri (1)), two Stylosanthes guianensis varieties and two commercially recommended Medicago sativa varieties were grown for hay under irrigation using standardised populations in replicated small-plots over two wet seasons (summer) and compared for dry matter production and fodder quality using 8 week cutting cycles. All initially grew well but M. sativa plants were damaged by leaf and stem diseases during wet summer periods reducing leaf and stem growth and resulting in open, weedy stands; the Arachis and Stylosanthes were relatively unaffected and exhibited strong summer-dominant growth throughout the study. There were significant species and varietal differences in biomass production and some A. pintoi, M. sativa and S. guianensis produced over 30 T DM (stem plus leaf above 5 cm cut height) over 19 months. Arachis glabrata also yielded well (16-18 T DM) following a prolonged establishment phase. Feed quality was high for all legumes compared, and overall best in the Arachis spp., with crude protein percentages mostly above 16% and high levels of protein and carbohydrate rumen degradability