The \u3ci\u3eLeucaena\u3c/i\u3e Network: A Grazier Advocacy Organisation Ensuring the Future of a Valuable Forage Resource for Northern Australia

Leucaena leucocephala is a productive and sustainable forage tree legume for beef cattle production in northern Australia. Following a protracted period of research and development to overcome agronomic and social constraints, substantial adoption by graziers is now occurring (Mullen, these proceedings). However, a recent challenge has threatened future development, viz. the perception by some environmentalists that leucaena is an environmental weed. In addition, production-oriented support from public research and development organisations has diminished significantly over the past 20 years. The Leucaena Network (TLN) was formed in July 2000, primarily to counter the anti-leucaena movement, but has since developed as an advocacy organisation promoting the many beneficial aspects of leucaena forage systems. The structure, aims and achievements of this unique organisation are outlined below