Leucaena courses to be offered

The interest in planting leucaena has skyrocketed in Queensland over the past decade as graziers realise its value. It provides a way to intensify their production systems in a sustainable way. Interest is so high that the University of Queensland is offering courses in Leucaena.

More than 80 graziers from Goondiwindi, Jandowae, Gayndah and Thangool attended courses held during October last year. The farm-based training courses were a mix of presentations combined with farm walks.

According to Dr Max Shelton, who specialises in plant and animal production within the University of Queensland's School of Land and Food Science, leucaena is often the best and most economical way to improve the protein content of the diets of production animals in tropical agriculture.

There will be further 2-day courses offered in early 2006 in response to increased demand for information and advice from Queensland graziers. The course will give participants information and advice on leucaena, particularly the finer points of how to plant and manage the crop.

Graziers interested in obtaining further information on these courses can contact Dr Scott Dalzell on (07) 3365 1172 or email s.dalzell@uq.edu.au