The latest publication in the Ute Guide series makes it easier to choose the most appropriate pasture legumes for grain and grazing properties in northern Australia’s cropping and pastoral zones.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries principal pasture agronomist David Lloyd said the new publication provided the latest information on 263 cultivars of 13 tropical and 43 temperate legumes, and their use in farming systems.

Mr Lloyd said the information applied to an area from Clermont in Central Queensland to Gilgandra in central NSW.

He said the publication was compiled with the help of pasture specialists throughout Australia, and supported by the DPI&F, Australian Wool Innovation Pty Ltd, and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

The subtropical grain and pastoral area received both summer and winter rain, so both tropical and temperate species could be used in farming systems, Mr Lloyd said.

He said the Ute Guide provided information on the role of legume pastures, their flowering and maturity, and how to select them for a farming or pastures system.

“The 171 pages contain 350 colour plates of the plants and their seed, and a description, their characteristics and planting rates.

“The Ute Guide series is intended for outdoor and indoor use, and the conveniently- sized books are tough and waterproof,” Mr Lloyd said.

He said the Pasture legumes for subtropical grain and pastoral systems Ute Guide was available from the DPI&F information centre in Toowoomba (07 4688 1415 or melissa.kellehear@dpi.qld.gov.au), or from Ground Cover Direct (1800 110 044 or ground-cover-direct@canprint.com.au).