Meat Science Commons^™

Other On-Station Activities For Wool Pastoralists, Mark Stevens

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

The impact of low wool prices has been most severe on specialist wool growers who have little scope for diversification, particularly those in the pastoral area.

Although there are limited opportunities for new enterprises on all pastoral stations, individual pastoralists are examining other on-station activities to determine which ones might be suitable. In doing so, they are evaluating:

• location (proximity to a major highway or population centre);

• natural attractions (coast, gorges, river, wildflowers);

• natural resources (native fauna and flora); and

• water supply (quantity and reliability of good quality water).

Tough Times Call For A Review Of Farm Business Performance, Martin Van Bueren, John Young

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

Most Australian farm businesses specialising in wool production are operating at a loss at current wool prices. After both short term operating and long term costs of capital depreciation are accounted for, only a small number of wool growers are able to make a profit with the wool market indicator below 500c/kg.

Poor prices have stimulated wool growers to review their operations and look to ways of improving cash flow in the short term, such as diversifying into cropping. The downturn should also prompt growers to address the longer term trends of declining terms of trade and historically poor productivity …

Control Of Cheesy Gland In Sheep, Michael Paton

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

Cheesy gland is a widespread problem in Western Australian sheep flocks. Less than 1 per cent of flocks are free of this disease, and all sheep in one line of 550 cull ewes slaughtered at Katanning Abattoir were infected.

A study of what affects new cheesy gland . infection found that shower dipping and keeping sheep under cover after shearing increased new infections. Farmers who shower dip sheep should consider vaccinating them against cheesy gland. Sheep should be let out into the open as soon as possible after shearing.

The total cost of the disease in Australia is about $30 …

Rejections Of Sheep And Lamb Carcasses Are Costly, R H. Wroth, R. J. Suiter

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

A 1976 survey of more than 48 000 sheep and 25 000 lambs slaughtered at two of Western Australia's export abattoirs has indicated a high rejection rate for W.A. carcasses. Rejections may be for disfiguring, blemishes requiring trimming or for diseases which can lead to condemnation.

Savings that producers can make by simple management changes, could thus save the industry $3.12 million a year. Reduction in other causes of rejection or further reduction in some of those mentioned id feasible but requires more research and may be more difficult to achieve.

Ryegrass Disease Could Spread, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The disease annual ryegrass toxicity kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected annual ryegrass. In Western Australia the first confirmed outbreak was in 1968 in the Gnowangerup area.

The disease has noe spread over a range of 450 kilometres and with a total area of perhaps 100 000 hectares. because annual ryegrass is the major sown pasture grass in W.A. the disease could spread throughout the South-West.

There are some precautions that can be taken.

Lupinosis, M R. Gardiner

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

In spite of many years of intensive investigation lupinosis remains a remarkably complex and baffling problem. Current research is throwing new light on the disease and it is now much better understood— although far from beaten.

Lupinosis research is co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture's Lupinosis Committee, on which are represented all groups working on the disease. These include veterinary surgeons and pathologists, chemists, plant pathologists and animal husbandry specialists.

Chairman of the Committee is Dr M. R. Gardiner, Chief of the Department's Animal Division and a veteran of lupinosis research.

In this article Dr Gardiner summarises the current state …

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

The Sheep Measles Control Programme, J B. White

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

In the first seven months of 1968 Australia exported to the United States 17 747 tons of boned mutton; of this 2 198 tons, or 12.4 per cent, was condemned on arrival in that country.

The main cause of rejection was the presence of Cystkercus ovis cysts, the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Taenia ovis, of which the definitive host is the dog.

In 1969 the Western Australian Department of Agriculture decided to study the epidemiology of this disease.

This was the beginning of the work which would evolve into the 'Three Shire Control Programme'

Sheep Meat Production Trial, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Better understanding of Middle- East, European and Asian market requirements for Australian sheep has influenced the design of a large meat production trial at Avondale Research Station.

The trial will supply basic information on sheep meat production and involves examples of breed types available in Western Australia and capable of supplying young, lean animals all the year round.

Prime Lamb Production In Western Australia : A Review Of The Development Of The Prime Lamb Industry In Western Australia, R J. Suiter

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

PRIME LAMB production in Western Australia has evolved into an industry based almost entirely on the local market.

This has not always been the case. In the 1930-40 era a substantial proportion of the State's prime lamb production was exported to the United Kingdom.

During this era the industry was equally dependent on exports and local market.

This Year's Export Lamb Carcass Competition, N Davenport

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

THE Export Lamb Competition will be conducted through the Royal Agricultural Society again this year.

Last year, due partly to the season, entries were well below those of previous years and if this competition is to continue, greater support from breeders is necessary.

I am sure you will agree that such a competition has undoubted value both for producers in recognising the type of lamb required, and also as an advertising medium for the sale of high quality Western Australian lamb on the English markets.