Life Sciences Commons^™

Weaning And Weaner Management, R J. Lightfoot

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

MOST of Western Australia's Merino flock owners wean their lambs in the months of August, September and October.

Too often this is done indiscriminately to fit in with other operations, or lambs are left on their mothers for long: periods until the ewes are remated.

Day-Old Fowl Pox Vaccination, P Smetana

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

FOR many years the standard procedure for fowl pox prevention on West Australian poultry farms has been to vaccinate young stock at 12 weeks of age. Although most farmers have used this system successfully it has a number of weaknesses which can be overcome by day-old vaccination.

A new day-old fowl pox vaccine now on the market has many advantages over the normal vaccine, which is used at about 12 weeks old.

In tests at the Poultry Research Station it gave satisfactory results.

Ovine Vibriosis : A New Cause Of Sheep Infertility, M R. Gardiner, M. E. Nairn, I. J. Miller

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

Vibrionic abortion of sheep has caused heavy losses in a number of wheatbelt flocks. In several flocks up to 50 per cent, of the ewes aborted as a result of this newly reported disease.

This article gives the history of the disease in this State, and describes the symptoms for the benefit of other farmers whose flocks may be affected. Ewes become immune after the first attack.

Hints On Chicken Rearing, P Smetana

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

For the next few months poultry farmers will once again be concerned with rearing chickens.

A good brooder, ample space, good sanitation, plenty of water and a balanced feed are still the essentials of successful chicken raising, says P. Smetana, B.Sc. (Agric), Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Poultry Branch.

Control Of Lice On Cattle, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE external parasites, biting and sucking lice (particularly of calves) are the cause of much unthriftiness.

A Seasonal Reminder For Flock Owners : Care Needed In Lamb Marking, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WITH winter and spring lambing becoming increasingly popular there are still plenty of lambs to be marked this year.

A word of warning now may save unnecessary mortalities due to lamb marking diseases in the next few months.

Keep Your Pigs Cool, P C. Beck

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

CORRECT MANAGEMENT and husbandry of pigs during the hot summer experienced in Western Australia is of the utmost importance if production is to be maintained at a profitable level.

Insecticides For External Parasites Of Sheep And Cattle, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

CHLORINATED hydrocarbon insecticides for the control of external parasites of sheep and cattle are no longer registered under the Veterinary Medicines Act.

The preparations are D.D.T., B.H.C.. dieldrin, aldrin and toxaphene.

Chick Management, D F. Hessels

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

A UGUST is the month when most poultry farmers get their chickens. Special attention will be needed in the coming weeks, with nutrition and disease prevention the main considerations.

Stress Factors In Pig Raising, P C. Beck

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

THE pig raiser who wishes to attain the best possible growth performance from his pigs must recognise factors other than the basic ones of good nutrition and bredin capacity.

These are "stress factors"—minor factors of husbandry which can greatly damage health and limit the growth rate.

Some Factors Affecting The Composition Of Milk, K Needham

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

FOR many years it has been known all over the world that the composition of milk varies. This variation in quality is considered as a serious problem wherever the dairy industry is established.

Facial Eczema In West Australian Sheep, M R. Gardiner, M. Nairn

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

SINCE 1894 when the disease was first described in New Zealand, the term "facial eczema" has been used to describe a specific photosensitization of sheep in that country.

Chemical Poisoning In Animals. 4. Phosphorus, H D. Seddon

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

WHITE OR YELLOW PHOSPHORUS was at one time widely used in poison baits for crows, rats, foxes and rabbits.

Although it has now been largely replaced, it is still an important cause of accidental death by poisoning.

A Modified Copper Hot Water System, F J. Fielder

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

A good supply of hot and boiling water for cleansing and sterilising utensils is essential for hygienic milk production.

Dairy Instructor F. Fielder, M.D.D., describes an efficient and economical modification of a copper hot water system for this purpose.

SINGLE copper units of 14 or 16 gallon capacity to supply hot and boiling water for the dairy are no longer good enough for most dairy farms.

Rearing Orphan Lambs, Laurence C. Snook

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

Orphan lambs are easy to rear if a few basic principles are understood.

Lambs Need Drenching At Weaning, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

RECENT losses among young lambs due to heavy infestations of black scour worm (Trichostrongylus species) have indicated that this year the problem of worms in weaners may be more troublesome than usual.

Management Of Laying Flock, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EGG production usually declines in birds which have been under lights during autumn and winter. Egg prices are lower and flocks should therefore be culled more severely.

Getting Ready For Summer, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE spring period is one of completion and preparation for poultry farmers.

An Unusual Tick Fever Outbreak, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

EARLY in the summer of 1961 there was a series of unusual tick fever outbreaks on several poultry farms in the metropolitan area.

These outbreaks were unusual because no apparent vector (disease carrier) could be found.

Mycotic Dermatitis (Lumpy Wool) And Fleece Rot Of Sheep, J Shilkin

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

Matted and sometimes discoloured specimens of wool are often received at the Department of Agriculture during seasons of heavy rainfall.

Two similar but quite distinct diseases are recognised as having caused this condition.

They are mycotic dermatitis (lumpy wool) and fleece rot. Both conditions damage the fleece and render affected sheep susceptible to blowfly strike.

Vibriosis : Major Cause Of Infertility In Our Dairy Herds, J Craig

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

VIBRIOSIS is the main cause of infertility in West Australian dairy herds.

Its main feature is repeated return to service, and it can cause heavy financial losses.

The disease can be eliminated from a herd by the exclusive use of artificial insemination, or by the adoption of a "two herd" system.

Dairy Hygiene, J F. Brennen

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

A high standard of hygiene is essential in the production of milk and milk products for human consumption.

Dairy Instructor J. F. Brennen, M.D.A., outlines some of the steps needed in order to achieve this.

Mineral Supplements, Laurence C. Snook

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

TJRODUCTIVE dairy cows have a high mineral requirement. A deficiency can cause lowered milk production and poor health may result if it is not corrected.

Chronic Respiratory Disease Of Poultry In Western Australia, M R. Gardiner, R. V. Vagg

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

Widespread chronic respiratory disease was revealed in a survey of respiratory infections in Perth metropolitan area poultry flocks.

Most occur in early or midsummer and cause a serious fall in egg production. Return to full lay after the infection is usually slow.

While these infections can cause production losses in flocks which are under heavy stress, none of the more serious forms of chronic respiratory disease was found.

This gives encouragement for future control of the disease in Western Australia.

Mulesing And Tailstripping : For The Prevention Of Fly-Strike, W L. Mcgarry

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

MULESING and tailstripping are basic to fly strike control.

During emergencies and bad fly waves they may need to be supplemented by temporary protective measures such as jetting and crutching.