Life Sciences Commons^™

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep In Non-Clover Areas, C. H. Trotman

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

A Research Round-up report in the June, 1972, issue of the Journal of Agriculture discussed the reproductive performance of sheep in Western Australia and indicated that more than 20 per cent, of mated ewes fail to lamb.

The report presented the first year's results from sheep grazing clover areas.

This report presents results from the nonclover sections of the investigations

Sturt Pea Hosts Collar Rot Fungus, M D. Marcley

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

Evidence that Western Australia's Sturt Pea can be attacked by collar rot fungus suggests a reason for the occurrence of collar rot in places where the fungus should not survive.

At Carnarvon for instance, in spite of the hot, dry conditions, the collar rot fungus has been found on eggplants and Tuart trees.

Maintaining Ewe Bodyweight For A Late Mating, T Marshall

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE experiments have indicated that the bodyweight of ewes at mating can have a large bearing on lambing performance.

It appears that for every 10 lb. increase in pre-mating bodyweight, an increase of some 3 to 6 per cent, lambs born could be expected, depending on the lambing time.

Mating Weaners Does Not Affect Future Ewe Performance, R J. Suiter, K. P. Croker

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

Maiden ewes in Western Australia are usually mated in their second year because of supposed ill-effects of earlier mating on the ewe's future production. Mating at a younger age however, providing there was no reduction in future performance, would provide for an extra lamb drop and thus increase the lifetime output of ewes.

Information from various sources indicated that weaners could be successfully mated providing their bodyweights were satisfactory. This trial was carried out to test the results of mating weaners under Western Australian conditions.

Broiler Research. 1. Meat Strains For Broiler Production, P Smetana

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

A broiler trial to compare the performances of three special meat strains and a group of first cross cockerels was conducted at the Poultry Research Station, Wembley, in 1962.

Although there was little difference in profit there are several factors in favour of the special meat strain birds for broiler production.

Famous Sheep Breeds. 2. The Corriedale, J A. Mallett

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

THE Corriedale sheep is a breed which has achieved widespread popularity throughout the world as a dual-purpose animal.

It was evolved by New Zealand breeders who—not fully satisfied with the performance of either the Merino or the British longwool sheep under their conditions—sought an animal which would combine the superlative wool-producing properties, and outstanding foraging ability of the Merino with the better meat production and better mothering qualities of the British sheep.