Engineering Commons^™

Comparing Size In Lime, Mark Whitten

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Extensive research into the management of soil acidity in Western Australia is increasing farmer awareness that lime use can reduce soil acidity and improve crop yields. However, as lime use increases, the question of lime performance and particle size is becoming more critical. Chris Gazey from the Department of Agriculture is heading up the soil acidity project, with the team comprising members from the department, CSIRO and the University of Western Australia. Mark Whitten reports on project outcomes relating to lime particle size.

Improving Irrigation For Ord Sugar Cane, Jim Engelke, Joe Sherrard, Gae Plunkett, Tim Triglone

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Major changes are underway in irrigation practices for the Ord sugar industry as it moves to implement recent findings on improving irrigation efficiency and managing rising groundwater. Significant improvement in efficiency is expected by more accurately matching water application with crop water requirements and by minimising drainage losses through improved water application techniques.

Based on findings from this work, drying off may not be an appropriate strategy for the ORIA as a means of improving crop sucrose content, but could allow for some reduction in water use towards the end of the crop cycle without adversely impacting on sucrose yield. …

Salinity Control In Northern China, G A. Robertson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

China has vast areas of saline land, perhaps as much as six million hectares. Some of this saline land is a result of marine influence in coastal areas and some is the resultof soil formation in areas with saline geological deposits and inadequate rainfall to leach out the salts at that time.

However, most saline soils in China are as a result of secondary salinisation processess induced by a hydrological imbalance resulting from over-clearing of the land or irrigation. This imbalance has produced rising watertables bringing the salt closer to the soil surface.

In this article, G..A. Robertson, Commissioner …

Water Supplies : Dams And Roaded Catchments, W J. Burdass, T. R. Negus, A. L. Prout, I. A. F. Laing

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australia's Upper and Lower Great Southern statistical areas include most of the broad-scale agricultural land south of a line from Perth to Hyden. Much of the area is well-developed and carries 13.4 million sheep, 203 00 cattle and 95 000 pigs, almost half the State's livestock.

There are few natural rivers and lakes to water livestock in summer and much of the bore water is salty. On-farm waterr conservation, therefore, consits mainly of excavated earth tanks (dams) which are filled by surface runoff or shallow seepage. In the drier areas and in the sandplain roaded catchments have neen built …

Dam Site Selection In The North-Eastern Wheatbelt, J L. Frith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australia's wheatbelt farm dams are dug three to eight metres deep and are generally sited in soils which either are inherently impermeable or can be made so during construction.

In the eastern and north-eastern wheatbelt, however, only a small proportion of the soils meets these criteria. Dam site selection in these areas therefore depends on a good knowledge ofwhich soils aresuitable and on our being able to locate them efficiently by using surface indications such as surface soil, natural vegetation or topographic features.

Drought Proofing The Farm : Case Studies, J L. Frith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For many years, Western Australia's north-eastern wheatbelthas suffered chronic shortages of water for stock and domestic use. The area's averageannual rainfall is generally low - less than 300 millimetres - and droughts in the 1970s caused futher problems. manydams in the area leak or have inadequate catchmentsand groundwater is scarce ormofmpoor quality.

In March 982, the Western Australian Government provided $100 000 for the Department of agriculture to demonstrate the potential of establishing permanent, drought-proof water supplies on farms in the north-eastern wheatbelt. The methods were to use exixting techniques to build dams and catchments. In a year of low …

Australian Tractor Test Report. No. 56. Zetor 5511, G H. Vasey, W. F. Baillie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

AUSTRALIAN TRACTOR TEST REPORT

The Zetor 5511 is a general purpose farm tractor. With 43 drawbar horsepower and 51 h.p. at the P.T.O. at rated engine speed it comes within Class 5 of Australian Standard Classification of Wheeled Tractors for Agricultural Purposes, A.S. Dl0-1967. It is equipped with 18.4 x 28 pneumatic tyres.

It has a five-speed gear box with a High and Low ratio change giving 10 forward and 2 reverse speeds

Disposal Of Effluent From Piggeries, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ONE of the major problems associated with an intensive piggery is the disposal of the effluent; the nearer the piggery is to urban areas, the greater the problem.

Weed Control In Irrigation Channels, Geoffrey A. Pearce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Probably the major task involved in maintaining drainage and irrigation channels is the regular removal of weed growth.

The cost of hand chipping a standard head channel is approximately 10s. per chain.

The use of suitable chemicals could reduce this cost considerably.

The Levy Nest : A Useful Aid To Farrowing, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The levy farrowing nest which has given good results in England is a recent innovation in Australia.

It could be well adapted for W.A. conditions and is described here by Pig Husbandry Adviser Mr. P. McNamara, B.A. (Cantab.).

Swing Fence Flood Crossing For Creeks In The Kimberleys, A L. Payne

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FENCING is the basis of the regeneration programme on the eroded Ord River catchment area, and the fences constructed must cross numerous creeks.

But heavy downpours of short duration characterise the wet season experienced in this area.

Because the rain falls on to bare, compacted ground, run-off is intense and gullies and creeks rise rapidly, causing serious damage to conventional fences and flood gates across watercourses.

Water Cooling Towers : For Cooling Milk On The Dairy Farm, K Needham

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Experience on dairy farms where water cooling towers have been installed has shown that the quality and grading of milk and cream has been improved and maintained, particularly during the summer.

MOST defects in the quality of dairy produce can be attributed to the activity of micro-organisms which cause spoilage.

Potatoes Sprinkler Irrigated From The Collie River, John W. Lewis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE highly productive soils of the flats along the Collie River at Roelands are an important source of many of our summer grown potatoes in this State.

Large areas are planted year after year, the record being held by Mr. Clarry Cox of Roelands, who has planted potatoes on the same seven acres every season since 1922.