Animal Sciences Commons^™

Uht Milk : Expanding The Market, Caroline Love, Ian Bell, Martin Robertson

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

An increase in the export of UHT (Ultra Heat Treated) milk to Asian markets is potentially worth millions of dollars to the dairy inmdustry. This increase however, relies on the shelf life of UHT products being extended to nine months. Spoilage of UHT milk can be caused by bacterial spores which originate on-farm and are resistant to processing. Expansion in the UHT market therefore relies on a continued reduction in the number of these spores getting into raw milk. Caroline Love, Ian Bell and Martin Robertson report on the sources of spores entering milk on-farm and the control methods available.

Something Fishy Is Going On - Aquaculture, David Berry

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

Aquaculture id Australia's fastest growing primary industry. Product from fish farms is currently valued at $399 million, forecast to exceed $5oo million by 2000.

Whilst the figure pales into insignificance alongside world production (about $45 billion) it does represent a huge window of opportunity for prospective investors and for Australian primary producers who are keen to diversify.

David Berry reports on the prospects for yabbie and marron farming in Western Australia.

Beef : Meating The Market, Greg Sawyer, Richard Morris, Geoff Tudor

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

Nearly half of Western Australia's beef production is consumed on the domestic market, but the scene is changing rapidly.

In this article Greg Sawyer, Richard Morris and Geoff Tudor review information on production systems performance, and carcase and quality measurements that may well serve wider market opportunities in the future.

Taking The Emu To Market, Paul Frapple, Ruth Hagan

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

Licensed, commercial emu farming in Western Australia is now five years old.

This year, 13,500 birds will be processed for their meat, skin and oil. Production has exceeded demand at prices which the industry considers fair because the industry is still developing marketd for these producys.

Without secure, long term markets, over-production will worsen as the turn-off in this State increases and emus become available from other Australian states and overseas.

The Department of Agriculture is assisting the industry to develop a viable industry.

The Accumulation And Run-Down Of Dieldrin In Wethers Grazed On Paddocks Previously Treated With Dieldrin, Tony Albertsen, Roy Casey, Keith Croker

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

In mid 1987, the organochlorines (O/Cs) DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor and chlordane were deregistered for agricultural and horticultural use in Australia. These chemicals had been used widely, and land on several hundred Western Australian farms, particularly where potatoes had been grown, was contaminated with chemical residues. Livestock grazing pastures on such land was also contaminated, and our beef exports were threatened. In 1988, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture started a two-year project to collect information from sheep which were grazed on land that had previously been treated with O/Cs, particularly dieldrin. The levels of O/Cs in body and wool fats …

The Pesticide Residue Problem In Beef Cattle : Success With Contaminated Power Poles In South Coastal Areas, Bob Mitchell

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

Western Australian beef producers faced a major crisis in 1987 because of organochlorine pesticide residues in some Australian beef cattle. We had to react quickly to find the sources of these residues and to keep contaminated cattle out of our abattoirs. Trace-backs led to 269 Western Australian properties in quarantine by the end of 1987. About 85 per cent of quarantined properties had cattle contaminated with pesticide residues from 'broadacre' sources, especially from potato and other horticultural crops. Another 10 per cent of properties were in quarantine because of contamination from basal treatment of timber power poles

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.

Capretto : A New Meat Industry, R J. Suiter

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

Capretto is the term the Italians use for the meat from a goat upto 20 weeks old. For centuries goat meat has featured on tables from the Mediterranean to asia and the Pacific Islands.

Western Australian premium quality capretto has a dressed weight of between 6 and 1kg. Its pinkish flesh is tender and leaner than sheep meat, so it's ideal for the health conscious.

This article describes a market development programme undertaken by the Department of Agriculture's Goat Industry Development Unit (GIDU) and the Australian Cashmere Growers Association's (ACGA) Meat Marketing Committee to establish a premium market for capretto …

Dairy Herd Recording, R D. Maughan, Frank Treasure

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

Fifty-five percent or 320 of Western Australia's daity farmers participate in the dairy herd recording, the highest percentage of dairy farmers who use herd recording in any Australian State.

Herd recording provides the dairy farmer with an accurate measure and record of individual caw and hers performance. Information on milk, fat and protein production, the level of mastitis infection and breeding values assists the dairy farmer with his herd management and selection of cows. The herd recording facility is provided by the Herd Improvement Service and the fees are based on an annual herd fee and a lactation fee for …

A Unit For Trapping Clean Pollen, S R. Chambers

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

Pollen, the fine particles formed in plant life and carrying the male germ cell responsible for fruit fertilisation and plant embryo formation, has been the subject of continual study over many years.

Original attempts to trap pollen loads from the honeybees were made with the object of feeding back pollen to colonies in times of short supply or over periods of pollen dearth.

With improved trapping methods, harvesting of pollen has developed to the extent that beekeepers can now produce a surplus to their needs.

In a time of world shortage of protein food substances it is not surprising that …

Synthetic Meat : Is It A Threat To Our Livestock Industries?, G A. Robertson

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

Synthetic "meats" are becoming accepted as an alternative protein source by many consumers in Western Europe, USA and Japan. Their relatively low cost and uniform quality make tbem attractive to the catering trade.

Australians are not generally aware of their increasing use although it has been suggested that "meat-like products" are a potential threat to our meat exports. This article outlines the current situation and emphasises the need to be fully informed about such products.

The author has studied this problem for some years and kept in close contact with developments while living in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Dogs, Tapeworms, Cysts : And Soiled Sheep, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

To protect our export markets it is necessary to meet the required standards and to eliminate as far as possible any sources of cysts, contamination, blemished carcasses or other defects in meat.

Some of these things are beyond the control of the individual farmer, but there are some things he can do to help ensure that the sheep he sends to abattoirs are free of defects which threaten export markets.

Inoculation Abscesses Can Downgrade Carcasses, M R. Gardiner

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

THE presence of inoculation abscesses in meat is one of the lesser known causes of downgrading or rejection of carcasses, but these abscesses have caused increasing concern in recent years.

They have obvious importance in export carcasses.

Hydatid Disease In Western Australia, G C De Chaneet

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

BECAUSE hydatid disease is a disease of humans as well as animals, every dog owner should be aware of the conditions that perpetuate hydatids and the methods of control.

The incidence of hydatids in Western Australia in the past has not been high.

However, the increase in sheep numbers over recent years, together with the intensification of farming methods, may lead to a rise in incidence unless stock owners, particularly sheep farmers, take steps to control the disease.

Cysticercus Ovis : Sheep Measles, G C De Chaneet

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

CYSTICERCUS OVIS, commonly known as sheep "measles", has come into prominence in the last few years because of the rejection of affected carcasses by overseas markets. Recently it was one of the causes of a complete ban on imports of Australian mutton by-the.iJnited States and Canada.

The Problem Of Pesticide Residues In Animal Products, J Craig

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

. . . a summary of the present position concerning pesticide residues in animal products, and recommendations for pest control measures which will avoid residue accumulation.

The Effect Of Seaweed Meal On Yolk Colour, B R. Vale, P. Smetana

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

Could seaweed, plentiful on local beaches, be used to improve egg yolk colour?

This article gives the results of experiments at the Department's Poultry Research Station.

Mastitis : Its Prevention And Control. 1. The Udder In Health And Disease, F C. Wilkinson

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

This is the first of a series of four articles on mastitis which will appear in consecutive issues of the Journal of Agriculture.

This is an introductory article describing the cow's udder in health and disease.

The Cost Of Achieving Egg Yolk Colour, P Smetana

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

The W.A. Egg Marketing Board has decided to increase its egg yolk colour bonus from Id. to 3d. a dozen from April 5, at the same time raising the qualifying colour standard.

This article presents an interesting study of the methods and costs of achieving deeper yolk colours.

Copper In West Australian Butter, D N. Tulloch

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

A SURVEY was conducted throughout 1963 to determine the copper content of West Australian butter.

Samples were collected about three times monthly from each of the seven W.A. butter factories and examined in the Dairy Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture.

The Composition Of Milk : Notes On A Recent Survey Of Dairy Farms, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE report on the recent survey into milk composition carried out by officers of the Dairying Division of the Department of Agriculture will soon be available to all interested dairy farmers.

Variations In Cream Tests, J F. Brennan

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

DURING the year dairy farmers are often concerned about variations in the butterfat test of cream they supply to the butter factory.

Why do these tests vary? Is the variation the fault of the farmer or the butter factory?

Tests For The Determination Of Milk Quality, H Maslin

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

Foolproof tests devised to determine the quality of milk delivered to the factories can detect sub-standard milk with accuracy.

They have an important place in helping achieve a high standard of quality in our dairy products.

The Importance Of Rapid And Complete Milking, K Needham, W. G. Robinson

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

COMPLETE withdrawal of milk from the udder as quickly as possible after the process of "let-down" has started, is an essential in good milking; management.

Water Cooling Towers : For Cooling Milk On The Dairy Farm, K Needham

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

Experience on dairy farms where water cooling towers have been installed has shown that the quality and grading of milk and cream has been improved and maintained, particularly during the summer.

MOST defects in the quality of dairy produce can be attributed to the activity of micro-organisms which cause spoilage.

Emphasis On Quality At New Beef Export Floor, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

HYGIENE is the keynote at the new beef treatment section of the West Australian Meat Export Works at Robbs Jetty, which was opened recently by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr. C. D. Nalder.

Cheese : As I Know It, E W H Maslin

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

IT is probable that cheese was made accidentally in the first instance, by the carrying of milk in the stomachs of animals, when the milk clotting enzymes of the stomach converted the liquid milk into a junket or a solid mass.

Antibiotic Residues In Milk : The Farmer's Responsibility, N Ingleton

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

THE LEVEL of antibiotic residues in commercial milk supplies has been steadily increasing over the past few years.

These residues find their way into the bulk milk as a result of milk from cows under antibiotic treatment for mastitis or other infections being included in the bulk milk for sale.

Feeding For Egg Yolk Colour, P Smetana

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

ON July 3, 1961, the Western Australian Egg Marketing Board commenced paying a bonus to producers for yolk colour.

This is an extremely important step in the marketing of eggs and should have a widespread beneficial effect on the poultry industry of this State.

Baconer Carcase Competitions, H G. Elliott, S. R. Dunstan

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

TO further the implementation of its policy to foster the production of high quality bacon, the Australian Meat Board in 1960 again conducted for pig growers in Western Australia, its annual Baconer Carcase Competition.