Life Sciences Commons^™

Options For Pest Management In Pastures, Phil Michael, Mike Grimm, Mike Hyder, Peter Doyle

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

Redlegged eath mit, blue oat ite, lucern flea and aphids damage pastures across southern Australia, and it has been estimated that they cause annual losses to the Australian wool industry alone of over $200 million.

Redlegged earth mite is without doubt the most serious of the four pests. Peter DoPhil Michael, Mike Grimm, Mike Hyder and Peter Doyle discuss intergrated management options to control these pests.

Developing Improved Varieties Of Subterranean Clover, Phil Nichols, Bill Collins, Dennis Gillespie, Martin Barbetti

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

Subterranean clover is widely recognised as the most important pasture legume species in southern Australia, having been sown over about 20 million hectares.

Together with superphosphate and trace elements, it has been a key factor in improving and maintaining soil fertility, and has resulted in dramatic increases in crop, livestock and wool production.

While the value of subterranean clover is well established, it does have some shortcomings.

Many varieties grown today are not sufficiently adapted to the environments and management systems in use. Others lack sufficient pest and disease resistance.

Improved subterranean clovers are being bred with better adaptation and …

Virus Diseases Of Subterranean Clover Pastures And Their Management, David Ferris, Roger Jones

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

In Western Australia and southern Australia generally, subterranean clover mottle (SCMV) and bean yellow mosaic (BYMV) are the most damaging virus diseases of subterranean clover pastures.

Although infected plants cannot be cured of virus infection, pastures can be managed to reduce both virus spread and persistence from year to year. Management options depend on which virus is present and include reseeding with resistant varieties; changing the pasture composition so that non-host species predominate; altering grazing practices to limit spread; and application of pesticide sprays to kill aphids.

Three New Late-Midseason Subterranean Clovers Released For High Rainfall Pastures, Phil Nichols, Donald Nicholas

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

Three new subterranean clovers - Denmark, Gou/bum and Leura - have been released in 1992 by the National Subterranean Clover Improvement Program. These subterranean clovers are black-seeded, have low oestrogen levels and improved disease resistance. Their release offers the potential for substantial improvements in pasture productivity in areas of southern Australia that have long growing seasons.

This article outlines some of the testing procedures and subsequent selection of these varieties and describes their characteristics and potential role in Western Australia.

Soil Acidity And Productivity Of Sub Clover Pasture, J S. Yeates

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

No abstract provided.

Seed-Bourne Virus Diseases In Annual Pasture Legumes, R A C Jones

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

No abstract provided.

Clover Infertility Of Sheep : Continuing Problem, N R. Adams, Keith Croker

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

Some varieties of subterranean clover, notably Dinninup, Dwalganup and Yarloop, contain compounds which act like the female sex hormone oestrogen. These plant oestrogens, or "phyto-oestrogens", interfere with the fertility of sheep and depress the percentage of lambs born.

Over the past 10 years our understanding of clover infertility has increased, and we can now gauge the extent of this residual problem. In fact, there is a widespread but low-level incidence of infertility which does not greatly affect individial farms but which has an important impact on the State's sheep production.

Soil Hardpans And Plant Growth, J W. Bowden, R. J. Jarvis

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

When farm vehicles travel over moist soils they can create hardpans which can marledly reduce crop and pasture yields.

Research at Wongan Hills Research Station has shown that plant growth and nutrient uptake were affected for at least eight years after the original workings caused the hardpan.

Progress In Clover Scorch Research, A Bokor, D. L. Chatel, D. A. Nicholas

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

Considerable progress has been made with the clover scorch problem since the devastation of the 971 epidemic when intensive research began.

Over 2000 varieties and crossbreds of subterranean clover from various collections have been screened for resistance resulting in the release of the first resistant clover, Esperance, this year.

Benefits of fungicidal spraying have been demonstrated and low cost spraying programmes for grazed pastures, and seed and hay crops are under field investigation.

Five New Clovers Bring Change In Pasture Recommendations, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The release of five new subterranean clovers should improve pastures throughout farming areas.

This article summarises the new recommendations.

Subterranean Clover In W.A. 1. The Current Situation, B J. Quinlivan, C. M. Francis

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

From small beginnings some 50 or more years ago subterranean clover has come to dominate the pasture scene in Western Australia. Of the 7 000 000 hectares of sown pasture all but some 500 000 are sown to subterranean clover. Further, it is estimated that there remains an area of similar size still to be sown, although in some instances these future sowings will be possible only if suitable varieties are available.

Clearing and pasture development within the various agricultural regions of the State took place, as a rule, within quite clearly defined time intervals and the varieties selected for …

Root Rot Of Subterranean Clover In W.A, G C. Macnish, M. J. Barbetti, D. Gillespie, K. Hawley

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

Root rot of subterranean clover has occurred sporadically in the south west of Western Australia for a number of years.

In most seasons the disease has affected the clover paddocks of only a few farms, but in 1973 there was widespread pasture decline due to root rot in the South-West and south coastal districts.

At present the most promising approaches for minimising the effect of root rot appear to be the use of cultivation techniques and eventually the use of resistant varieties, or other pasture species.

Subterranean Clover In W.A. 2. Characteristics Required For Agronomic Success, C M. Francis, B. J. Quinlivan, N. J. Halse, D. A. Nicholas

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

Development of subterranean clover varieties is a rapidly changing scene, particularly in terms of farmer acceptance, disease and persistency problems. This is only to be expected, because this is an agricultural plant of only some 50 to 70 years standing, whereas many other pasture plants have been in common use for thousands of years.

Trikkala, A New Safe Clover For Wet Areas, C M. Francis

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

Trikkala is a new low oestrogen subterranean clover cultivar which has been released to seed producers this year. It should be available in quantity to farmers in 1977 and is recommended as an alternative to Yarloop for winter-wet situations.

The Effect Of Applied Nitrogen And Subterranean Clover On The Growth Of Doublegee, D J. Gilbey

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

Until 20 years ago doublegees in Western Australia were mainly confined to the red-brown earth soils of the wheatbelt.

Since then, they have spread to light loamy sand soils in the wheatbelt, many of which have carried subterranean clover from the mid-1940s onwards.

It has been widely presumed that the spread of doublegees on to the lighter sandy soils of W.A. can be associated with the establishment of subterranean clover on these soils.

This report summarises the results of a glasshouse experiment on the effect of clover and nitrogen on the growth of doublegee.

Clover Disease : What Do We Know And What Can We Do, T Marshall

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

A review of 30 years' study and practical experience of clover disease in Western Australia—and a summary of current recommendations for reducing problems in sheep grazing pastures based on oestrogenic subterranean clover.

Potassium For Pastures, Walter Jacob Cox

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

IVIany pastures in the south-west of Western Australia are deficient in potassium or need regular dressings for maximum growth. This article indicates areas and situations in which potassium might be needed, shows how deficiency is diagnosed and gives recommended rates of application.

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep On Clover Areas, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Western Australia's 67 per cent lambing for 1970 compares poorly with that of other Australian States, and other countries. From the 12.3 million ewes mated in this State's agricultural areas in 1970, only 8.2 million lambs were marked.

This low 77.7 per cent conception rate sparked the present series of reproductive wastage investigations by the Department's Sheep and Wool Branch.

This report describes the first year's results of the project in W.A.'s "clover disease" areas.

Pasture Legume Varieties And Ewe Fertility, T Marshall, H. E. Fels, H. G. Neil, R. C. Rossiter

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

ALTHOUGH it was first thought that all varieties of subterranean clover would cause ewe infertility, research in the last 10 to 15 years has shown that varieties differ in potency.

The relative level of potency has also been shown to remain consistent for any one variety under normal conditions.

Superphosphate Deficiency Raises Pasture Oestrogens, H G. Neil, T. Marshall

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

A recent field experiment on established pastures at Esperance Downs Research Station has demonstrated a relationship between superphosphate application, pasture oestrogens and oestrogenic response in sheep.

Results of the experiment indicate that on phosphate deficient soils carrying oestrogenic clovers, the levels of oestrogenic materials in the pasture are increased if superphosphate applications are below those recommended for healthy pasture growth.

Control Of Clover Infertility In Sheep, H G. Neil, H. E. Fels, C. M. Francis

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

A summary of practices recommended for the control of infertility caused by subterranean clover in West Australian sheep.

PROLONGED grazing of green subterranean clover pastures often reduces ewe fertility. In more extreme cases, obvious signs of clover disease occur.

High Stocking Rate On Kikuyu Dairy Pasture : Progress Report On Grazing Trials On Kikuyu-Sub. Clover Pasture At Denmark Research Station, F E. Ryan

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

KIKUYU is one of the most valuable pasture plants on dairy farms in the South-West of Western Australia.

It combines well with subterranean clover and ryegrass if heavily stocked, and pastures managed in this way can be cut for legume-grass hay in the spring. However, relatively little is known of its carrying capacity or potential for production under grazing.

Oestrogen Free Subterranean Clovers : Their Development And Prospects, C M. Francis

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

SELDOM have plants received more publicity than the "oestrogen free" subterranean clovers developed by the University of Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture.

The production of oestrogen free clovers has attracted great popular interest, particularly among farmers in the southern sheep raising districts.

The Certified Strains Of Subterranean Clover : Their Origin, Potential Use And Identification, B J. Quinlivan, C. M. Francis, M. L. Poole

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

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER originated in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and in parts of Western Europe.

Therefore it is not surprising that it grows well in the agricultural districts of Western Australia, for these regions have a typically Mediterranean climate with cool wet winters and hot dry summers.

Subterranean Clover Establishment In The Wheatbelt, M L. Poole

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

Care and attention to detail will greatly increase the chances of establishing good subterranean clover pastures in the wheatbelt.

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT usually takes second place to cropping in the wheatbelt, with many farmers "bunging in a bit of clover" and hoping for the best. The worst often transpires, with either patchy stands or complete failure resulting.

Using "cheap" methods of establishment is a short-sighted approach and a waste of energy and resources.

New Strains Of Subterranean Clover : Prospects And Problems For The Seed Producer, B J. Quinlivan

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

THREE new strains of Subterranean clover—Daliak, Seaton Park and Uniwager—have been released.

In Western Australia, in other States and perhaps some overseas countries, the next few years will see many farmers or graziers summing up the merits and demerits of these strains and subsequently making a decision to change or not to change their present strains.

A Measure Of Clover Infertility In Ewes, N Davenport

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

SERIOUS impairment of the breeding ability of ewes grazed for prolonged periods on growing pastures containing dominant subterranean clover has been experienced in Western Australia for many years.

The first widespread recognition of the problem coincided with the upsurge of improved pasture establishment based on the Dwalganup variety of subterranean clover in the higher rainfall sections of the wheatbelt and adjacent sheep raising areas to the west and south.

Clover Disease Of Sheep In Western Australia, A B. Beck, M. R. Gardiner

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

DURING the past five years there has been a marked increase in the incidence of breeding abnormalities of sheep associated with the grazing of subterranean clover pastures.

This complex of diseases first became a major problem in Western Australia in the years following 1940 and eventually became known as "clover disease".

Clover Ley Farming In Western Australia : An Important Research Project, T C. Dunne

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

IT is an accepted fact that the pasture period developed as an alternative to cropping in areas where cereals are grown results in increased fertility and a potential for higher cereal crop yields.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 1. The Role Of Oats After Ley, S C. Chambers

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

The role of oats in relation to root diseases of wheat was examined at four of the State Wheat Research Stations.

Several recognised pathogenic organisms were isolated in the course of the investigation, the most important being Ophiobolus graminis, which is the cause of "take-all."

Results suggest that one year under oats after clover ley is sufficient to reduce the incidence of take-all, except when seasonal conditions are extremely favourable to the disease.

In areas where take-all is a problem, wheat planted after a first crop of oats can sometimes give a higher yield than a first crop of wheat. …