Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Sheep Updates 2006 - Part 2, Darryl Smith, Kathryn Kemper, David Rutley, R. R. Woolaston, D. J. Brown, K. D. Atkins, A. E. Casey, A. J. Ball, David Hopkins, David Stanley, Leonie Martin, Arthur Gilmour, Remy Van De Ven, Geoff Duddy, Steve Semple, David Kessell, Andrew Thompson

Sheep Updates

This session covers six papers from different authors:

GENETICS

1. Novel selection traits - what are the possible side effects?, Darryl Smith, Kathryn Kemper, South Australian Research and Development Institute, David Rutley, University of Adelaide.

2. Genetic Changes in the Australian Merino since 1900, Sheep Genetics Australia Technical Committee, R.R. Woolaston Pullenvale, Queensland, D.J. Brown, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit*, University of New England, K.D. Atkins, A.E. Casey, NSW Department of Primary Industries, A.J. Ball, Meat and Livestock Australia, University of New England

3. Influence of Sire Growth Estimated Breeding Value (EBV0 on Progeny Growth, David Hopkins, David Stanley, Leonie …

Annual Ryegrass Toxicity Research Update, A G P Brown, P. Vogal

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

Annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) is a complex disease that kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected ryegrass. The disease results when a nematode (Anguina agrostis) and a batcerium (Corynebacterium sp.) invade annual ryegrass and cause the seed heads to become toxic as the grass dries off.

The bacterium produces a complex toxin of 18 glycolipid compounds or corynetoxins which have been found to be virtually identical to the antibiotic tunicamycin.

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.

Wimmera Ryegrass Toxicity, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Wimmera ryegrass toxicity has been reported for many years to affect sheep and occasionally cattle in New Zealand, South Australia and the United States of America.

In Western Australia, occasional reports since 1959 and severe outbreaks of staggers in the Katanning- Gnowangerup areas over the last two years prompted the investigation reported below.