Life Sciences Commons^™

Snail Investigations : A Progress Report, G D. Rimes

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

Experimental baits and sprays have given promising control of snails in cereals and pastures in the Geraldton-Dongara districts.

The problem of harvesting infested wheat crops has been overcome by attaching a specially designed rake in front of the header ccmb to remove snails from the plants.

Amsinckia Or Yellow Burr-Weed (Amsinckia Spp.), G R W Meadly

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

YELLOW BURR-WEED is widely established in the Wimmera and Mallee districts in Victoria, presumably introduced with fodder brought to this country from the United States about 1914.

It is a problem in Oregon and other north west wheat areas of America.

The weed is also widespread in New South Wales, being most troublesome in the wheat-growing sections of the Riverina. It is not established to the same extent in South Australia and Queensland.

The recent discovery of areas infested with yellow burr-weed at Merredin prompted the Agriculture Protection Board to declare it a primary noxious weed for Western Australia.

Cyanogenetic Plants Of Western Australia, T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with the more important cyanogenetic plants found in Western Australia.

It also deals with plants which have not been proved as cyanogenetic but which do produce toxic effects similar to those produced by cyanogenetic plants.

Symptoms, post mortem appearances and the treatment for affected stock are also dealt with.

Common Heliotrope : (Heliotropum Europaeum L.), G R W Meadly

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

THE Borage family, to which common heliotrope belongs, includes several other plants which are troublesome weeds in Australia.

Patersons curse is widespread in several States, yellow burr-weed is a problem in wheat growing areas, particularly in Victoria, and corn gromwell also causes concern to some wheat farmers.

Worms In Sheep. 4. Drenches For Treatment And Control Of Worms In Sheep, W A. Halhead

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

PREVIOUS articles in this series have described the species of worms affecting sheep in Western Australia, their life histories and the factors which lead to the seasonal rise and fall in worm burdens.

A programme of strategic (preventative) drenching has been outlined which is based on a knowledge of these seasonal changes in worm burdens.

This Could Happen Here : If Foot-And-Mouth Disease Came To Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE first outbreak would probably be on a piggery not far from a major port. But it might also appear among cattle or sheep in a similar area, or even on a cattle station in the North.

Round Worms : Important Parasites Of Pigs, F C. Wilkinson

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

ROUND WORMS are usually found in the small intestine of pigs. The adults average six to 10 inches long. They are creamy-white and cylindrical in shape, tapering to a point at both ends.

Bluetongue Of Sheep, M R. Gardiner

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

BLUETONGUE is a serious disease of sheep, mainly of introduced European breeds, throughout the African continent.

It is maintained there by wild and domestic ruminants in the presence of certain insect vectors (carriers).

The disease has probably existed there from immemorial times among the indigenous ruminants, emerging as a recognised disease only when the much more susceptible European breeds were brought into the continent.

Pollorum Tested Poultry Flocks, 1966-67, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

PULLORUM disease has been virtually eliminated from breeding and hatchery poultry flocks in Western Australia by the annual blood-testing of all birds and the destruction of reactors.

Pendulous Crop Of Turkeys, M E. Bacon

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

THE condition known as pendulous crop occurs occasionally in a mild form in fowls, but the most commonly reported cases concern the classical symptoms that occur from time to time in turkeys.

The condition is also referred to as baggy crop, dropped crop, hanging crop and sour crop, and causes mortality, poor development and emaciation within turkey flocks in some areas.

Swine Erysipelas, G C De Chaneet

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

SWINE ERYSIPELAS, first diagnosed in Western Australia in 1960, has become a source of considerable loss to the pig industry.

Most losses have resulted from carcass condemnation at abattoirs because of arthritis caused by the erysipelas organism.

Mastitis In Western Australian Dairy Cattle, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

IN 1964/65, as a first step towards a State-wide mastitis control programme, the Department of Agriculture undertook a survey of mastitis in West Australian dairy herds.

The survey was designed to obtain a clear picture of the incidence and severity of the disease and is the most comprehensive mastitis survey carried out in Australia.

African Horse Sickness, M R. Gardiner

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

THE viral disease, African horse sickness has become the most menacing contagious disease of equine animals since bacterial and protozoan diseases of the horse, such as glanders and dourine, have declined throughout the world.

West Midlands Development : Poison Plants In The West Midlands, T E H Aplin

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

TOXIC plants have caused considerable economic loss to stock raisers since the early days of settlement in Western Australia.

Although much is now known of the toxic materials contained in such plants, and although most of the plants have been thoroughly publicised, losses are still occurring in many areas.

Heart-Leaf Poison, River Poison, Stirling Range Poison, T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with heart-leaf poison, river poison and Stirling Range poison, all more or less restricted to the lower South-Western Region of Western Australia.

Lamb Mortality On Agricultural Research Stations, K P. Croker

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

Progress report of a study of lamb losses in experimental flocks on Department of Agriculture research stations in the agricultural areas.

THE major barrier to increased production by the West Australian sheep and wool industry is the shortage of sheep in the agricultural areas of the State, and much research has been directed towards overcoming this shortage.

The Amended Brands Act, M R. Gardiner

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

DURING the past year many changes have been introduced into the Brands Act to adapt legislation to modern conditions.

This article summarizes the new requirements for the guidance of the farming community.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : Crinkle-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Villosum Benth.), Runner Poison (G. Ovalifolium Henfr.), Horned Poison And Hill River Poison (G. Polystachyum Meissn.), Woolly Poison (G. Tomentosum C.A. Gardn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with four toxic species of the genus Gastrolobium which are superficially similar to one other.

Two of these species are prostrate in habit; the other two are more upright but are generally short in stature.