PERFORMANCE OF A BEEF-CATTLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM ON NATIVE PASTURE USING LEUCAENA-LEUCOCEPHALA AS A SUPPLEMENT

A beef cattle system to produce animals at 2.5 years of age, suitable for slaughter or finishing elsewhere on a high energy ration, was designed. The system used native pasture supplemented with an area of Leucaena leucocephala. The usual situation of liveweight losses during the cool, dry, winter months was reversed. This reversal was caused by the greater nutrient concentrations in the leucaena than in the native pasture. The potential to modify the system to produce cattle suitable for other beef markets is discussed.