Other Animal Sciences Commons^™

Economics Of Farm Water Supplies, P P. Eckersley

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

The economics of farm water supplies can be studied in two ways. One is to compare the costs of alternative ways of supplying a specified quantity of water to a farm. Another is to calcu;ate how mucha farmer can afford or will pay for a water supply.

I propose to look at these questions from the point of vieew of an eastern wheatbelt farmer, assuming that he must pay the full costs of any water supply provided for his property.

Bounty Systems In Vermin Control, S J O Whitehouse

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

For more than 3000 years man has tried to reduce the numbers of pest animals by payment of bounties. In general, the system has failed.

This article, by a research scientist who specalizes in the study of declared (pest) animals in Western Australia reviews some of the literature about bounties and comments on the situation in Australia.

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 …

Development Of A Selective Bait For Rabbits, A J. Oliver, S. H. Wheeler

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

It has long been recognised that a means of killing rabbits selectively in the presence of stock would be a major advance in rabbit control. It would enable a whole farm to be treated for rabbit control at one time, saving operational costs and cutting down reinfestation of rabbits into treated areas from untreated areas.

A literature search and some pilot trials indicated that indandione derivatives were more toxic to rabbits than to ruminants.

Pindone (2- pivalyl-l,3-indandione) was selected for evaluation.

Annual ('Wimmera') Ryegrass Toxicity, Geoffrey A. Pearce, O. M. Goss, P. H. Berry, J. L. Wise

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

Because annual ryegrass is one of the most widespread pasture plants in Western Australia, annual ryegrass toxicity is a threat to livestock in many agricultural areas—even though the area now affected is small.

The problem is being intensively studied by the Department of Agriculture and a working group has been set up to investigate potential control measures.

In this article the group reviews the problem and reports progress in its investigations to the end of 1973.

The Medina Pig Research Station, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Before the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station was established in 1964, pig production research had been carried out on Denmark Research Station, Muresk Agricultural College and in some commercial herds.

However, with increasing specialisation in the pig industry better facilities were needed. Medina Research Station provides such facilities, allowing it to carry out research to provide detailed information of immediate practical value for both extensive and intensive pig production enterprises.

Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, introduced in 1971 by the Department of Fisheries and Fauna, is designed to ensure the long-term conservation of the grey kangaroo, while at the same time recognising the right of the landholder to protect his primary production from damage.

One of the points which has arisen after examination of the programme is that some individual farmers are not fully aware of the requirements of the regulations.

Fumigation And Rabbit Control, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Fumigation has been a valuable tool in Australian rabbit control for over 70 years, because of its economy and efficiency compared with methods such as shooting and trapping.

Even now, while it is not as economical as 'one-shot' baiting, fumigation remains a valuable initial control effort because it is not affected by season and does not require shifting of stock.

Basic Pig Breeding, P Mcnamara

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

PROFITABLE pig raising depends on the tumoff of efficiently grown animals. Breeders should be selected for growth rate, and proper care of the breeding sow will ensure that her litters are large and healthy.

A rapid increase in the number of breeding sows in Western Australia suggests that some relatively inexperienced breeders may have started raising pigs. This article sets out the best pig breeding methods as a guide to beginners and a reminder to more experienced pig raisers.

Rural Radio Reports - Animals And Birds Declared Vermin, A R. Tomlinson

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

Animals and birds are declared vermin by the Agriculture Protection Board if they are a threat to primary industry.

Stock Brands And Movement Act, M R. Gardiner

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

ALL livestock owners in W.A. should understand the main provisions of the new Stock Brands and Movement Act which comes into force on January 1, 1972.

Wildlife Hazards From 1080 Baiting, A R. Tomlinson, C. D. Gooding

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

ONE-SHOT oat baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a relatively safe method of trail baiting rabbits.

The hazard to wildlife is small and every effort is made to further reduce the hazard by selective application of the poison.

Thinking Of Pigs To Raise Your Income?, P Mcnamara

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

WHEAT quotas and low wool prices have caused many farmers to look to pigs to consume homegrown grain and to lift their incomes. However, with sow numbers at a record level, is it possible for a wheatbelt farmer to raise pigs profitably?

Because of his access to cheap grain, the wheatbelt farmer may be able to make a good profit on each pig sold. This could make pigmeat production a useful sideline on the farm, providing the farmer produces only lean pigs. There is no market for overfat pigs.

This article gives some hints on production of pigs on cereal …

Rearing Orphan Kangaroos, G L. Ward

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

LICENCES are required in Western Australia if certain kangaroos and all species of wallabies are kept in captivity, but orphaned young joeys often need care and hand feeding before they can be released to fend for themselves.

Feeding And Care Of The Farm Dog, J B. White

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

Most farmers acknowledge the value of a well trained dog when handling sheep, but few appreciate that without correct care and feeding such a dog may reduce their profits and constitute a hazard to the health of themselves and their families.

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.

Super Spreader Distributes Snail Baits, G D. Rimes, W. M. O'Donnell

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

THE problem of distributing snail bait on broad acres has been overcome by simple modifications to a conventional super spreader.

The Protection Of Primary Production : The Role Of The Agriculture Protection Board Of Western Australia, A R. Tomlinson

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

THE main function of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. is, as its name implies, "protection", and, in this case, it is the State's primary production which is being protected from pest animals, birds and weeds.

In general, the Board's activities are centred on the prevention, destruction or management of animals and plants which are troublesome to agricultural or pastoral production, or are capable of being troublesome.

Pig Husbandry Research In Western Australia, N W. Godfrey

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

IN the past it has not been possible to undertake research work with pigs on any appreciable scale in Western Australia.

A small herd has been maintained at Denmark Research Station for some years as a demonstration side-line unit, run in conjunction with the dairy herd.

A number of very useful trials have been carried out with the Denmark herd, but its size has limited the comprehensiveness of the type of research work that could be undertaken.

Breeding Better Pigs, B M. Goss

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

IN the past, pig breeders have tended to select animals on physical characteristics, many of which have little or no relevance to economy of production.

Selection techniques now available open up the possibility of improved pig production efficiency.

Ultrasonic Testing : An Aid To Better Breeding, B M. Goss

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

THE ultrasonic tester was originally developed as a metal flaw-detector for industrial purposes, and its usefulness for making carcass measurements on the live pig was first demonstrated about 10 years ago.

The Pig's Need For Minerals, N W. Godfrey

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

Only 16 of the one hundred odd chemical elements known are considered to be essential mineral elements for pigs.

As some of these are required in much smaller quantities than others, they are referred to as trace or minor elements, while the remainder are called major elements.

Two Causes Of Reduced Profit From Pigs, G A L Ward

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

LOSS of condition in a pig affects profits more severely than slow rate of growth.

Two common symptoms, scouring and itching, cause weight loss and are followed by a period of reduced weight gain.

Housing Pigs, P Mcnamara

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

THERE are many designs for pig houses and much will depend on individual circumstances which is best in any particular case.

Practical Disease Prevention In The Pig Herd, R B. Richards

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

DISEASES cause loss in pig production through mortality, poor growth rate and reduced food conversion efficiency.

The cost of drugs and expert advice causes further economic loss, and the dangers to public health and to other livestock in a community are serious and often-neglected considerations.

Profitable Bacon Production In A Small Herd, B M. Goss

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

PIG HERDS are tending to become larger and more specialised, but it is still possible for the small herd of less than 20 sows to absorb by-products and spare labour very profitably.

These advantages can be lost if the scale is larger.

Swine Fever And African Swine Fever, V W. Smith

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

PIGS may become infected by viruses which also cause disease in other animals (for instance foot-and-mouth disease) but there are two virus diseases worthy of special mention because they cause clinical disease in pigs only.

Disposal Of Effluent From Piggeries, P Mcnamara

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

ONE of the major problems associated with an intensive piggery is the disposal of the effluent; the nearer the piggery is to urban areas, the greater the problem.

Home Mixing Or Purchased Feeds?, P Mcnamara

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

FEED is the largest single cost in pig production, so any saving which can be made will be of major importance.

The Western Australian Pig Industry, P Mcnamara

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

A look at the pig industry in Western Austrailia.