Chris Black, a beef producer from north of Gympie, transitioned from running a breeding herd to backgrounding cattle on his 470-acre property. This shift presented challenges, particularly in improving pasture composition to boost productivity. With no prior experience in pasture development, Chris joined the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) online legume group after learning about the benefits of incorporating legumes into pastures at a field day.
Through the online group, Chris gained practical knowledge about pasture renovation and grazing land management. He developed a tailored legume establishment action plan with DPI’s support, which included soil testing, using a chemical fallow to prepare the land, and planting legumes like butterfly pea, desmanthus, and stylos in strips alongside existing signal grass.
A year later, Chris observed positive results, including better cattle grazing in the newly planted areas. He plans to refine his methods, such as extending fallow periods, using wider strips, and improving seed quality.
Read more about Chris’s story → From online to on-ground: legume establishment success
