Mineral balancing the key to legume survival: McLean Family, Kuttabul (2021)

During a field day held at the McLean’s property at Kuttabul, our members were shown how a signal grass pasture responds to mineral balancing. 

This particular area was originally planted with Seca & Verano Stylos, Centro, and Siratro (legumes) with signal grass being the sole grass species. DAP fertiliser was applied several times over the last 30 plus years. Eventually the signal grass became dominant with no visible sign of legumes remaining. 

After McLeans applied the minerals, it took a couple of years for the legumes to appear. Apart from the original legumes, two native legumes returned as well as some Glen Joint Vetch now giving their pasture a total of seven legumes. 

The McLean family feels the improved soil structure has enabled these legumes to flourish as well as have better water holding capacity. They expect that every 2 or 3 years they will only need to top up the minerals to maintain optimum pasture growth.