Life Sciences Commons^™

Organic Vegetables : A Guide To Production, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

There appears to be considerable opportunity for the development of organic vegetable production in Western Australia for either fresh or processed product. While a number of growers are successfully producing relatively small quantities of organic vegetables for both domestic and export markets, few large scale commercial growers have sought to capitalise on this opportunity.

Consumer interest in organically grown vegetables has increased rapidly in recent years due largely to concerns relating to food safety, health and the environment. For more information on markets for organic vegetables refer to AGWEST publication “Market Prospects – Organic Carrots and other Vegetables”.

Weed Plan For Western Australia, State Weed Plan Steering Group, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

One of the most significant environmental challenges facing Western Australia is the minimisation of the impact of weeds. In the relatively short history of this State since European settlement, some 1155 exotic plant species have established as weeds in our diverse and generally fragile ecosystems. While development for agriculture, mining, transport and housing must by its nature result in some change to the State’s flora, the introduction of weedy plant species has caused serious impacts which cause great concern.

Weeds now pose a serious threat to many of the State’s ecosystems, and impose high annual costs on agricultural industries. Weeds …

The Fight Against Fruit Flies In Western Australia, Andy Sproule, Sonya Broughton, Francis De Lima, Darryl Hardie, Nic Monzu, Bill Woods

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australia’s horticulture industry is one of the State’s growing success stories, from mangoes at Kununurra to cherries at Mt Barker. The prospects are bright, especially in export markets where ‘clean and green’ produce from Western Australia is truly valued.

One blight on this ‘clean and green’ image has been Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly, the ‘world’s worst fruit pest’. First introduced over 100 years ago, the battle against this devastating pest has involved Government, growers and the general public.

This book is designed to provide an accurate but readable account of the fight against fruit fly, incorporating all the …

The Good Food Guide For Sheep : Feeding Sheep For Meat Production In The Areas Of Western Australia, Keith Croker, Peter Watt, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Good Food Guide for Sheep has been produced to provide Western Australian farmers with a concise compilation of current information on feeding sheep for meat production. Although there are already numerous publications about sheep nutrition,many of them relate to wool production, reproduction or drought feeding, or they concentrate on particular feeds or feeding systems.

This book contains information on a wide range of feeds and feeding methods. Just as there is no single ‘best’ sheep breed for meat production, there is no ultimate feed regime for sheep for growth.

African Black Beetle In Vineyards, Diana Fisher, Stewart Learmonth

Bulletins 4000 -

The African black beetle, Heteronychus arator, is an important pest of horticultural crops, ornamentals and pastures in Western Australia. They also attack lawns and are commonly referred to as the black lawn beetle. This beetle was first recorded in Australia during the 1920s and originates from southern Africa where it is a major establishment pest of maize.

Organic Grapes And Wine : A Guide To Production, Gerry Parlevliet, Steven Mccoy

Bulletins 4000 -

The tastebuds, health concerns and environmental conscience of affluent consumers are demanding more organically grown food than producers worldwide can supply. Growing consumer concerns about the effects of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers on human health and the environment have boosted world trade in organic products by a rate of about 20-30 per cent a year for the past 10 years. World trade was estimated to be worth $US 21.6 billion in 2000 and is expected to reach US$100 billion by the year 2006.

The Australian market for organic products alone is valued at $200-$250 million - with exports estimated …

Paterson's Curse Management Handbook, Amelia Mclarty, Errol Kruger, Peter Stubbs, John Peirce, Chris Hawkins, Paul Wilson, Simon Merewether

Bulletins 4000 -

Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum) is one of the most damaging weeds to the Australian meat and wool industries. It infests an estimated 33 million hectares in southern Australia, at an annual cost to the sheep industry of $250 million in lost pasture productivity, control costs and wool contamination. In WA, it is found on about 5000 agricultural properties infesting some 500,000 ha. It is an extremely invasive weed, that reduces pasture productivity and stock carrying capacity by competing with and excluding more beneficial pasture species. The weed is also toxic to stock. It is important to implement control measures on …

Scott Coastal Plain A Strategy For A Sustainable Future, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Scott Coastal Plain has significant attributes that make it an area of State and regional significance for agricultural production. The climate, availability of good quality groundwater for irrigation, and large lot sizes provide opportunities for mechanised horticultural production which other parts of the State may not have.

An estimate of the area that could be used for each agricultural land use has been developed, at a broad study area level. The figures presented in this report show that diversified production combining tree plantation and/or irrigation (cropping or hay/silage) with grazing enterprises provides for potential increases in gross margins and …

Profitable Canola Production In The Great Southern And Lakes District, Paul Carmody, Ashley Herbert

Bulletins 4000 -

The Canola industry has rapidly grown with a 10 fold increase in area sown in Western Australia over the four years from 1996-99.

The driving force behind this increase in area can be attributed to the successful adoption of weed control technology in Triazine Tolerant Canola.

By knowing the model of the limiting factors, which are usually; weed control, fertiliser practices, blackleg management, variety selection, seeding dates, seeding depths, insect control and swathing, we can make the right decisions and achieve the targeted profit.

To produce yield to potential, all factors need to be optimised, otherwise yields will be decreased …

Profitable Canola Production In The Northern Grainbelt Of Western Australia 2001, Paul Carmody, Adrian Cox

Bulletins 4000 -

Canola is a member of the Brassicaceae family that also includes mustard, turnip, wild radish, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.

It is a winter growing oilseed that can be produced in most arable areas of Australia where winter crops are currently grown. Originally known as rapeseed using the varieties B. campestris, the varieties of B. napus have almost completely replaced this earlier variety in all the areas where the crop is grown.

The swing to B. napus varieties was due to their superior yields, resistance to blackleg and better quality oil and meal. Canola can be grown on a wide variety …

Avocado Culture In Western Australia, Alec Mccarthy

Bulletins 4000 -

The avocado is a large evergreen tree of sub-tropical origin. The fruit are high in protein, fats (mono and polyunsaturated), several minerals and vitamins. The Guinness Book of Records lists the avocado as the most nutritious fruit in the world. It is suitable for infants through to the elderly and does not contain any cholesterol.

Avocado trees are quite adaptable, being grown from Kununurra in the north down to Albany in the south. They are being grown commercially in the south-west from Perth down to Pemberton and in Carnarvon. Avocado trees are frost susceptible, particularly when young, so they are …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2001 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

This book for 2001 again summarises the work being carried out by staff of The Integrated Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension projects in Western Australia. These projects are based at Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO.

Several articles in this book are an indication that the current round of funding for this work is drawing to a close in June 2002. The articles reflect our increasing understanding of not only the effects of soil acidity but also the time required for current practices of surface applied lime to ameliorate acidity in both the surface and …

Agmaps Land Profiler Cd-Rom. Shires Of Waroona, Harvey And Dardanup, Dennis Van Gool, Peter J. Tille, Ian Kininmonth, Philip M. Goulding, Maryse Louise

Agmaps

This CD-ROM contains land resource maps and land management information for the shires of Waroona, Harvey and Dardanup. It was produced by the Department of Agriculture Western Australia. Also included on the CD is technical information which may now be out of date.

Agmaps Land Manager Cd-Rom For Dumbleyung, Kim Brooksbank, Dennis Van Gool, Werner Runge, Ian Kininmonth

Agmaps

This CD-ROM contains land resource maps and land management information relevant to the Dumbleyung area. It was produced by the Department of Agriculture as part of a Natural Heritage Trust project. Also included on the CD is a lot of technical information which may now be out of date.

Soil Factors Influencing Eutrophication. In Soilguide. A Handbook For Understanding And Managing Agricultural Soils. (Ed. Geoff Moore), David Weaver, Robert Summers

Bulletins 4000 -

Eutrophication is essentially the nutrient enrichment of waterways leading to algal growth. It must be controlled to maintain sustainable agricultural systems and the main mechanisms of control are stabilising catchment processes and reducing nutrient output.

Eutrophication can be defined as 'the nutrient enrichment of waters which results in the stimulation of an array of symptomatic changes, among which increased production of algae and macrophytes, deterioration of water quality and other symptomatic changes, are found to be undesirable and interfere with water uses' (OECD 1982). The word eutrophic is a Greek word that means 'well fed'. The food referred to is …

Irrigation Of Olives In Western Australia, Neil Lantzke, Dick Taylor

Bulletins 4000 -

Olives can be grown without irrigation in the south-west of Western Australia. However, to obtain maximum yield irrigation is required. The yields obtained from unirrigated crops may be half those of irrigated crops, with the actual yield decrease being dependent on the rainfall and length of growing season.

This Bulletin outlines how to calculate the irrigation requirements of olives. Considerable debate occurs as to the water requirements of olives in Western Australia.

There have been no irrigation trials on olives in this State and the crop factors outlined come from overseas experience.