Life Sciences Commons^™

The Grazing Value Of Medicago Murex., C. M. Saunders

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 88KA92

Location: Potts Road, East Kojonup.

At present, limited information is available on the grazing value of Medicago murex cv. Zodiac on sheep live weights and wool growth. This trial was designed to provide data on the relative performance of sheep grazing Zodiac compared with the recommended subterranean clovers (Junee/Seaton Park) in the > 450mm rainfall zone in WA.

Legume Species Mixtures., C. M. Saunders

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA64 - ironstone hardsetting clay pH 8.0
86KA65 - orange/red loam pH 7.0
86KA66 - sandy gravel pH 5.6 - 5.7

Location: Dumbleyung.

Current recommendations for pasture species in the medium rainfall zone has not included species mixtures for paddocks with varying soil types. These trials (three in total) are designed to test the hypothesis that legume species mixtures are more productive and persistent in the long term than monocultures, across three soil types and three different cropping/pasture rotations (continuous pasture, 1 year pasture : 1 year crop rotation, 2 years pasture : 1 year crop rotation).

Cultivar Evaluation On Low Rainfall Heavy Textured Soils., Bradley Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

a. Trial 88GE34

Cultivar evaluation in machine sown plots.
Location: NMRS

The higher seed yield of Serena compared to the other cultivars resulted in better early forage .production as well a legume dominated pasture.

b. Trial 88TS 63 and 88TS 65

Wheat yields following pastures.
Location: 88TS63 - Perenjori and 88TS65 - Three Springs.

There was no response to nitrogen in either biological yield or grain yield of wheat sown over volunteer based pasture at the Three Springs site. All pasture treatments resulted in similar wheat yields except for Sava because of poor control of the snail medic under the …

Aphid Tolerance Evaluation In Annual Medics., Bradley Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89GE61

Location: East Chapman

Out of the 100 lines tested, 30 experimental lines were less affected (in terms of seed yield) by aphid damage than c.v. Parabinga.

Variety Evaluation On Deep Sandplain Soils, Bradley Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

a. Trial 88EC17
Small plot evaluation of annual medic species.
Location: East Chapman Research Station.

b. Trial 89E64
Small plot evaluation of annual pasture legumes on deep grey sand.
Location: 'Huntswell' Allanooka.

c. Trial 89GE60
Evaluation of annual medic lines in machine sown plots.
Location: Balla, Tenindewa, Irwin

Soil-Plant-Sheep Organochlorine Pesticide Research, Tony Albertsen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Soil O/C decay (5812)

Locations: Brookhampton, Carbunup, Dardanup, Denmark, Donnybrook, Goodwood, Jindong, Kirrup, Manjimup, Pemberton, Redmond.

To determine the rate of decay of soil Dieldrin.

2. Soil profile distribution of O/Cs (5812) (88AL21/1)

To determine the distribution of O/cs at 1 cm intervals down the soil profile.

3. Soil decontamination of O/Cs (5812)

To assess practical and economic techniques for decontaminating soil Dieldrin residues.

4. The accumulation and rundown of Dieldrin in wethers. (5841)

To determine the relationship between the levels of Dieldrin contamination in soil, pasture, sheep body and wool fat.

5. Surface drainage trial 86V1/5164

Efficient surface …

National Subterranean Clover Improvement Programme, P. G. H. Nichols

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

89774F, 89830F 89822H

Location: University Field Station, Shenton Park

The project aims to develop, by breeding and selection, better adapted and more productive low-oestrogen cultivars of subterranean clover for a range of environments in southern Australia.

Effect Of Soil P Supply On The Early Growth And Nodulation Of Lupins., Brett Thomson, M. D. Bolland, R. W. Bell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89GL33

Location: Glasshouse University of Western Australia.

Four seeds were sown at 2.5 cm depth in pots containing 4.5 kg of steam sterilized soil treated with the following basal nutrients (mg/kg soil) : K₂SO_4, 121.7; MgSO4.7H₂0, 17.5: CaCl₂, 21; FE sequestraene, 7.2; H₃BO₃, 0.5; MnSO₄, 10.8; ZnSO₄, 7H₂0, 7.5; CuSO₄, 5H₂0, 5.3; Na₂Mo0₄.2H₂0, 0.27; CoSO₄.7H₂O, 0.07.

Tactical Nitrogen Decisions For Wheat (And N Rates Trials), J. W. Bowden, R. J. Lunt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89NO77 (89NO76)

Location: Grass Valley.

History: 1984 Lupins.

1985/86 pasture legumes and about 100 kg super/ha.

1987 Wheat yield of 2.8 t/ha using 45 kg DAP/ha and 60 of urea 2-4 WAS.

1988 Gungurru lupins (27 kg/ha seed) yielding 1.9 t/ha using 80 kg super/ha.

Tactical nitrogen trials - summary of treatments required.

Trial 89NO77

Location: Meckering

Treatments existed of nitrogen and urea. Nitrogen was not applied at seeding. Urea was applied at seeding.

Trial 88No77

Tactical nitrogen trials. - summary of observations.

Location: Grass Valley.

Trial 89NO76

Hand harvest 23/11/1989.
Yield components for copper sufficient plots reps. I …

Breeding Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

The release of Gungurru and Yorrel lupins marks the coming of age of the narrow-leafed lupin as a crop plantt. These are the first cultivars of the species th have substantial resistance to Phomopsis stem blight, which will make the stubbles much safer for grazing stock.

This article describes the new lupins, their background, and how they were bred. It also acknowledges the contributions of colleagues who helped in important ways.

Finishing Kimberley Cattle In The South-West, Brian L. Mcintyre, Bill Ryan, Neville Macintyre

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

The idea of integrating the Kimberley cattle industry with that in the south-west of Western Australia is no new, but until recently it had not been critically evaluated.

Over the past eight years the Department of Agriculture's Beef Cattle Branch has been assessing the performance of Kimberley cattle transported south for finishing in the agricultural areas.

This research has show that Kimberley weaners can be finished in the south, and that under the present (December 1988) economic conditions it is more profitable than running breeding cattle in the south-west and comparable with fattening store steers.

Breeding Field Peas In Western Australia, T N. Khan

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

Field peas have grown dramatically in popularity in western Australia in the past five years, with the planted area increasing from a mere few hundred hectares to about 70,000 ha in 1988. This growth may continue, as more than 700,000 ha of agricultural land is potentially suitable for growing field peas.

However, any such growth of the pea industry will require new cultivars with improved yield, adaptation and quality characteristics to meet local and export demands. The Department of agriculture therefore decided to start a selection and breeding programme to support the pea industry.

Direct Selling Is A Plus For Cattle Producers, P G. Frapple

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

The aim when marketing cattle is to maximise the net return with the minimum level of risk. To do this a producer needs an accurate description of the stock for sale and information on the likely gross returns and costs of selling through the different marketing systems.

Since producers' selling costs and processors' buying costs are lower in direct sales, it is more likely that net returns from direct delivery will be higher.

Biological Control Of Paterson's Curse, John Dodd, Bill Woods

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

The long- delayed biological control programme for the weed Paterson's curse (Echium plantagineum) has begun with the release of the leaf mining moth (Dialectica scalariella)' an insect slightly bigger than a mosquito. Yhe caterpillar stage of the moth feeds inside the leaves, producing tunnels and chambers which damage the leaf.

The leaf mining moth has already become established in suitable areas. Although the familiar purple haze of Paterson's curse will continue to be seen for years to come, we expect that the leaf mining moth - and other agents yet to be released - will make it a more manageable …

The Queensland Fruit Fly Eradication Campaign, G P. Ayling

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

Western Australia has started an extensive eradication campaign against the Queensland fruit fly, one of the worst horticultural pests in the world.

The programme, the largest of its kind in Australia, and one of the biggest in the world, involves the integration of three tequniques for fruit fly control: lure trapping, protien baiting and the release of sterile male flies.

Land Capability And Land Use In The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Region, Peter John Tille, Neil Lantzke

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

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste region is one of Western Australia's most beautiful areas. Located in the far south-west corner of the State, it is a popular scenis and tourist spot, as well as supporting grazing, horticultureal and viticultural enterprises.

Outside of perth the region is the most popular tourist destination in the state. It is also responsible for about a quarter of the State's milk production, and 15 percent of the state's potato production and a quarter of the State's wine grapes.

Many new agricultural enterprises have opened up in the past 15 years, and the population has increased by almost 40 …

Economic Impact Of Growing Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, J M. Warren, Jeremy Allen, Wallace Cowling

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

The planting of Phomopsis-resistant lupins will increase net farm income. They will also alter the traditional blend of pastures and cropping, depending on grain and wool prices. In mixed farming areas of Western Australia's southern wheatbelt, they will allow more land to be sown to lupins rather than cereals on farms in which the lack of sheep feed over summer severely restricts wool production.

The benefits of Phompsis-resistant lupins arise from a reduction in sheep deaths due to lupinosis, a longer safe grazing period (free from lupinosis) on lupin stubbles, a decrease in the need for supplementary sheep feed over …

The Effect On Farm Profit Of Conserving Stubble To Prevent Wind Erosion, A D. Bathgate

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

Over-grazing of stubbles is a major cause of winf erosion on WesternAustralian farms. Stubble contributes to the 'roughness' of the paddock; as the roughness is reduced, the risk of winf erosion is increased.

The risk of lupinosis in sheep has previously reduced the likelihood of lupin stubble being over grazed, but the development of Gungurru, a phomopsis-resistent variety of lupin, has increased the potential for over-grazing and hence the probability of wind erosion.

This article describes the economic benefit (or cost) of conserving stubble at the conservation standards.

Leaf Diseases Of Wheat And Time Of Sowing, J M. Wilson

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

Leaf diseases of wheat can be avoided by delaying the planting of a crop, but this often leads to reduced yield because the benefits of early sowing usually outweigh anylosses caused by leaf disease.

However, it is only in exceptional circumstances that farmers need to consider leaf disease when making decisions about planting date, as this article shows. Most examples are taken from department of Agriculture trials in its northern advisory region, but the principals apply to other agricultural areas.

Early Sowing Of Ceral Crops In Low Rainfall Areas, R J. Delane, John Hamblin

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

One of the objectives of the Department of Agriculture's crop research in the low rainfall, northern wheatbelt is to develop crop varieties and management practices that will make best use of stored water on both sandplain and fine textured soils. Sowing a crop early will improve its water use efficiency and yiel in low rainfall areas.

Weaning Kimberley Cattle Pays Off, D Pratchett, Stuart Young

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

Research results show that weaning Kimberley calves when they reach 140kg liveweight is one way of increasing herd productivity by changing management practices. However, removing the bulls from the breeding herd, rather than running them with the cows ywear round as is the practice, does not increase branding percentage.

Prospects For Leucaena On The Ord, D Pratchett, Tim Triglone

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

For the past few years, the Department of Agriculture has been fattening cattle on the forage shrub leucaena which is grown under irrigation with pangola grass. About 400ha of leucaena is under commercial production in the Kimberley.

Cattle grazing leucaena show promising growth rates but other problems need to be overcome before its use is more widely adopted. Leucaena establishes slowly. It is also costly to transport fattened cattle to southern abbatoirs.

Planning For Horticultural Expansion On The Swan Coastal Plain, P Coghlan, Geoff Moore, Jim Dixon

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

Horticulture is an intensive, high value form of agriculture highly dependant on the availability of good water supplies for the year-round production of fresh produce. Production increase in Western Australia and the encouragement and development of export markets has caused rapid expansion if the industry in recent years.

Expansion is expected to continue, placing severe pressure on available water supplies and suitable land close to markets. At present' 90 per cent of the Stase's horticultural land is on the Swan Coastal Plain and minor selected hills areas around Perth.

Irrigation And Fertilizer Management For Horticultural Crops On The Swan Coastal Plain, I R. Mcpharlin, Greg Luke

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

The Swan Coastal Plain is an important area for the production of vegetables, flowers and fruits in Western Australia. The yellow Cottesloe, Karrakatta and the white-grey Bassendean Sands upon which most of this production is based are infertile in their natural state and require large inputs of fertilizer for succesful production of horticultural crops.

Improved irrigation and fertilizer management will be needed to reduce nutrient leaching from horticultural crops on the coastal plain. This will probably involve applying fertilizer and water more frequently, but in smaller quantaties thaan currently practiced. The result should more closely match water and fertilizer supply …

Improved Fertilizing Practices On The Peel-Harvey Catchment, P T. Arkell

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

Broad-acre farmers in the Peel-Harvey catchment have met a challange and achieved a great deal since the fertilizer extension programme started in 1983.

The main objective of the extension programme has been to ensure that every year three-quarters of the farmers make economically and technically sound fertilizer decisions, thus causing a minimum amount of phosphorus to enter the waterways of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system.

The Sandplain Lupin : Its Nutritional Value And Grazing Management, P W. Morcombe

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

The sandplain lupin or Western Australian blue lupin (Lupinus cosentinii) was introduced to the West Midlands at the turn of the last century. Since that time it has been used as a self-regenerating summer forage for sheep and cattle.

Being deep rooted, it has adapted well to the sandy soils from Perth to Northampton, and plantings now cover more than 100,000 ha.

As few other improved pasture species will persist on these deep sands the sandplain lupin provides an important source of summer feed for grazing livestock. A stand can be grazed throughout summer at stocking rates of 10 to …

Intensive Animal Industries In The Peel-Harvey Catchment, R W. Payne

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

The Swan coastal plain to the north and south of Perth is attractive for the intensive production of pigs and poultry for several reasons. It is close to markets, feed manufacturers and labour; has a less extreme climate than inland areas; and is underlain by a large reserve of high quality groundwater.

Because these are all intensive operations, large quantaties of nutrient-rich waste are produced over a very small area. They can severely damage ground and surface waters unless steps are taken to control the wastes which they produce.

This article oulines both the nature of intensive aniamal industries in …

Breeding Field Peas : Screening Pea Lines, G H. Walton

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

The early use of field peas in Western Australia was as a green manure crop or to feed stock be grazing the mature crop. Varieties which produced a large bulk of green material were sown. There was no control over insects or diseases.

In 1985, the Feseral Government recognised that to realize the potential of grain legumes grown throughout Australia, more research was needed.

One of the Grain Legume Research Council's (GLRC) priorities is species evaluation and variety improvement.

Since 1983, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture has screened advanced crossbred lines from the South Australian breeding programme for its …

Barley Agronomy Experiments., K. L. Young

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89E1, 89SG1, 89MT3

Barley variety x time of sowing trials.

Location: Esperance Downs Research Station, Salmon Gums Research Station, Mt Barker Research Station

To determine the optimum time of ear emergence for barley varieties which vary in maturity.

Trial 89ES2

Location: Melijinup Field Station

Barley variety x time of sowing trials

1. Assess the effect of aphids on the yield of barley at a range of sowing times.

2. Determine the optimum time of ear emergence for barley varieties which vary in maturity.

Trial 89E6

The effect of aphids on the yield of barley

Location: Esperance Downs Research Station. …

Small Farmland Experimental Catchments In Western Australia, K J. Bligh

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.