Forage Trees and Shrubs in Australia -their current use and future potential A report for the RIRDC/L& W Australia/FWPRDC Joint Venture Agroforestry Program Supported by the Natural Heritage Trust By EC Lefroy May 2002 RIRDC Publication No 02/039 RIRDC Project No. UWA-53A © 2002 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 642 58438 9 ISSN 1440-6845 Forage Trees and Shrubs in Australia – their current use and future potential Publication No. 02/039 Project No. UWA 53A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Dr Ted Lefroy CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Private Bag 5 PO, Wembley WA 6913 Phone: 08 9333 6442 Fax: 08 9333 6444 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in May 2002 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Trees and shrubs have long been considered an important source of nutrition for grazing animals in Australia, particularly in the arid and semi-arid areas with a pronounced dry season. Over the last two decades there has been increased interest in planting forage trees and shrubs in the agricultural regions for improved animal production and environmental protection. In 1999, RIRDC commissioned a study of the commercial prospects for planted woody species in the low rainfall zones of Australia (RIRDC Publication No 99/152). The study examined commercial prospects for wood products, energy, essential oils and fodder. Trees and shrubs for fodder emerged as having promising commercial prospects. This publication surveys the current extent and use of cultivated forage trees and shrubs in Australia, the state of research and development, and the potential for expansion. It also examines the desirability, feasibility, and scope of a national fodder tree selection R&D program This project was funded by the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP) and the Natural Heritage Trust. The JVAP is supported by three R&D Corporations — Rural Industries, Land & Water Australia and Forest and Wood Products. These Corporations are funded principally by the Federal Government. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 700 research publications, forms part of our Agroforestry and Farm Trees R&D program, which aims to integrate sustainable and productive agroforestry within Australian farming systems. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/cat/contents.html Peter Core Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Contents Foreword ...................................................................................................................................iii Contents..................................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. vi 1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Terms of reference ..................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Methods used in carrying out the study ..................................................................... 1 1.4 Structure of report ...................................................................................................... 2 2. LEUCAENA ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Current use.................................................................................................................4 2.3 Recent research (1991-2001) ..................................................................................... 4 2.3.1 Plant establishment and management ...................................................................... 4 2.3.2 Forage value .............................................................................................................6 2.3.3 Animal production and grazing management .......................................................... 6 2.3.4 Profitability............................................................................................................... 7 2.3.5 Environmental impact .............................................................................................. 7 2.3.6 Adoption................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Annotated bibliography of Leucaena in Australia, 1991-2001.................................. 9 2.5 Potential area suited to commercial Leucaena production....................................... 12 2.6 Perceived research, development and extension needs............................................ 12 3. TAGASASTE................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 16 3.2 Current use............................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Recent research (1991-2001) ................................................................................... 17 3.3.1 Edible dry matter production.................................................................................. 17 3.3.2 Animal production and grazing management ........................................................ 18 3.3.3 Multi-purpose systems for fodder, shelter and water use....................................... 19 3.4 Annotated bibliography of tagasaste in Australia, 1991-2001................................. 21 3.5 Potential area suited to commercial tagasaste production........................................ 22 3.6 Summary of perceived R D&E needs ...................................................................... 24 3.7 Tagasaste Contacts................................................................................................... 24 4. SALTBUSH (............................................................................................................... 26 4.1 Background .................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Current use ..................................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Recent research (1991-2001) ......................................................................................... 27 4.3.1 Agronomy............................................................................................................... 27 4.3.2 Forage value ........................................................................................................... 28 4.3.3 Animal production.................................................................................................. 29 4.3.4 Economics of saltbush............................................................................................ 30 4.3.5 Environmental impact - water use and land rehabilitation..................................... 30 4.4 Annotated bibliography of ............................................................................................. 31 4.5 Potential area suited to commercial saltbush production............................................... 33 4.6 Summary of perceived R D&E needs ............................................................................ 33 4.7 Atriplex Contacts............................................................................................................ 33 iv 5. OTHER FODDER TREE AND SHRUB SPECIES............................................................ 35 5.1 Background and current use..................................................................................... 36 5.2 Recent research (1991-2001) ................................................................................... 36 5.2.1 Prospective species................................................................................................. 36 5.2.2.................................................................................................................................