Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Protein Enrichment Of Cereal Grains For Livestock, Andrew C. Dunlop, C. L. Mcdonald

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

Every year Western Australian farmers feed about 759,000 tonnes of cereal grain to livestock, mostly to sheep but also to dairy and beef cattle. These grains are fed as drought feeds, as supplements to augment poor quality or scarce paddock feed or in growth rations to attain higher levels of production. Many grains fed, however, have a low protien content and are therefore used inefficiently by animals.

Several methods of improving the low protien content of feed grains have been tested. They include the addition of lupin seed, spraying oats with urea and gassing oats with ammonia.

Potassium Deficiency In Lupins : Identification, Rates, Times And Method Of Application, Walter Jacob Cox

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

Large areas of sandplain soils north of Perth are low in potassium levels, and responses to applied potassium have been large for both sub. clover and grain lupins.

This article indicates where potassium might be needed, and how to diagnose and overcome deficiencies in lupins.

Nitrogen On Rapeseed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Experiments comparing the responses of wheat and rape to nitrogenous fertilisers were planted at 26 sites from Geraldton to Esperance in 1971.

In spite of hail damage and poor emergence of rape at some sites, meaningful results were obtained in 18 cases.

Symptoms Of Nutrient Deficiencies In Rape, M G. Mason, J. W. Gertrell

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

Rape is a relatively new crop in Western Australia and this investigation was undertaken to produce visual symptoms of nutrient deficiencies so that they could be recorded and used for diagnosing deficiencies in the field. The appearance of mineral deficiency symptoms can vary considerably with growing conditions, so that symptoms produced in a glasshouse are only a guide to the probable symptoms in the field.

Nitrogen Fertilisers And Cereals, M G. Mason

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

FEW aspects of cereal growing have received as much attention in the past 20 years as nitrogen fertilisers.

The recommendations and yield figures presented below are based on numerous trials in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

Surplus Cereal Crops For Sheep Feed, H E. Fels

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

SINCE the introduction of wheat quotas many farmers have considered feeding unsaleable grain to sheep.

The three alternative methods of feeding this grain to sheep are

• as standing crops

• as grain supplements, fed in the paddock

• as grain plus hay, in a feedlot.

Crop Rationing : A Useful Drought Feeding Technique, H E. Fels

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

A TRIAL carried out during the 1969 drought demonstrated that rationing standing crop is a practical method of feeding it to sheep when feed is scarce.

Rationing will be mainly a drought feeding technique for that part of the crop which will definitely be used as sheep feed. Crop that may or may not be needed for sheep would normally be harvested and the grain kept as a contingency allowance.

Rationing Standing Crops To Sheep, H E. Fels

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

This experiment was done at Merredin Research Station to develop and test a method of rationing standing crops to sheep, and also to find whether rationing would reduce the sheep's water consumption.

The experiment involved 60 sheep on 12 one-acre plots of drought affected Gamenya wheat.

Lupins In Western Australia. 5. The Grazing Value Of Green And Mature Lupins, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

WHETHER or not lupins are grown primarily as a grain crop, grazing of standing crops and harvested stubbles will continue to be an important use. This article examines the uses of sweet lupins for forage, and the main problem of lupin grazing, lupinosis.

A Comparison Of Methods Of Urea Application At Ajana, M G. Mason, R. J. Parkin, H. Patrick

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

Compared with urea application separate from the seed, urea mixed with wheat seed delayed and reduced wheat germination, and reduced wheat yields, especially at high rates of urea.

Yields were higher where the urea was topdressed immediately before seeding than where it was top-dressed either immediately after, or two weeks after seeding.

Trials With Urea And Anhydrous Ammonia For Wheat Growing, M G. Mason

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

THE recent subsidy on nitrogenous fertilisers has greatly reduced their price to farmers. This, and farmers' increasing awareness of the benefits of application of nitrogen to cereals, has led to a substantial increase in the use of these fertilisers.

Drilled Versus Topdressed Superphosphate For Cereal Production, A Loutit, P. Stallwood, W. J. Cox

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

CEREAL growers in Australia usually use a drill or combine to apply their seed and superphosphate in one operation.

However, during the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in the amount of super broadcast bafore seeding.

N-P Compound Fertilisers, M G. Mason, W. J. Cox, R. N. Glencross

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

FARMERS were able to buy the two compound fertilisers N-P Compound Fertiliser 28:14 and N-P Compound Fertilser 24:24 in the 1967 season.

Maintenance Phosphorus And Sulphur For Pastures : Progress Report, Walter Jacob Cox

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

PASTURE IMPROVEMENT has been based on topdressing with superphosphate, which supplies sulphur as well as phosphorus.

In the past, all the benefit due to superphosphate was attributed to the phosphorus.

It is only in recent years that the importance of the sulphur has been appreciated.

West Midlands Development : Fertilizers For The West Midlands, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

FARMING the light lands of the West Midland area would be impossible without fertilisers.

Most light land areas are inherently very low in phosphate and also require nitrogen.

The nitrogen can come from fertiliser for cereal crops, or can be built up by growing appropriate legume pasture plants such as clovers and lupins.

West Midlands Development : Cereals For The West Midlands, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE sandplain soils and climate of the West Midlands area are primarily suited to grazing.

However, the place of cereals is receiving a great deal of attention in view of their advantages in the early stages of development, and the need for the diversification of farm production.

Rates Of Superphosphate For Pasture And Crop Production In The Salmon Gums District, R N. Glencross, W. J. Cox

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

DURING the last few years large areas have been released for cereal and pasture production in the southern part of the Shire of Dundas and the northern part of the Shire of Esperance.

Changes in land use since 1962 are summarised in Table 1.

The Phosphorus Fertilisers : How They Compare, Walter Jacob Cox

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

ALTHOUGH 'double' or 'concentrated' superphosphate was first commercially manufactured in 1872 it was not until the 1950's that it became a major commercial fertiliser. In 1965 it accounted for about 15 per cent, of the world production of phosphatic fertilisers.

The Changing Fertiliser Industry, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

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

Background to current developments in the Australian fertiliser industry.

FOR many years superphosphate was the basic fertiliser used by most farmers in Western Australia.

During the 1950's some farmers began to use sulphate of ammonia, and recently urea and anhydrous ammonia have become important.

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M G. Mason

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

THE greatest responses to nitrogenous fertilisers can be expected in areas with a relatively long growing season.

In such areas light soils with a low nitrogen status provide the best prospects for addition of nitrogen—provided adequate moisture is available.

Rates Of Superphosphate For Cereal Grain Production In The Under 20 Inch Rainfall Areas, Walter Jacob Cox

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

EVERY year farmers use large quantities of superphosphate with cereal crops to overcome the inherent phosphate deficiency of West Australian soils.

The increase in the average rate used by farmers reflects the increasing amount of new land being cropped.

Good seasons and favourable economic conditions may also have influenced super rates.

Sources Of Nitrogen For Cereals : Their Characteristics And Costs, M G. Mason

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

Generally similar results may be expected from all the sources of nitrogen available for cereal growing.

The unit nitrogen price and the convenience of use of each fertiliser in the particular situation should be taken into account in deciding which fertiliser to use.

THE first point to consider when deciding which nitrogen fertiliser to use for wheat growing is the effectiveness of the nitrogen source in increasing crop yield. Second, the cost per unit of nitrogen must be considered.

The convenience of using a particular source in a particular situation is also important and greater convenience may offset some cost …

Fertilisers For The Wheatbelt, William John Toms

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

A review of fertiliser research findings and recommendations for fertiliser applications to crops and pastures in the 12 to 15 inch rainfall areas.

NOT long ago, fertiliser to the cereal grower meant only superphosphate for cropping. Today, phosphorus, sulphur, nitrogen, copper, zinc and molybdenum are all important, and the needs of improved pastures must be considered as well as those of cereals.

A Comparison Of Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals, M G. Mason

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

THE use of nitrogenous fertilisers has become an important aspect of cereal growing in many districts and farmers now have a number of sources of nitrogen from which to choose.

Meadow Hay For The Dairy Herd, F E. Ryan

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

CONSERVATION is the basis of progress in dairy farming and the major form is meadow hay, but unfortunately relatively few dairy farmers give enough attention to the quality and quantity of this important feed.

Dairy Farming In The Busselton-Margaret River District. Part 3. Fodder Conservation, R A. Bettenay

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

An analysis of fodder conservation indicates that farmers in the Busselton-Margaret River district are conserving less than half the amount of fodder considered desirable.—Third in a series reporting a survey of farm practices in the district.

Silage Making In The Lower South-West, A L. Hamilton

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

The history of silage making in the South-West of Western Australia is typified by periods of relatively intense activity followed by periods when the activity virtually ceases.

The recent rise in popularity has followed the introduction of machinery or methods which tend to make the job easier to handle, or which improve the quality of the silage.

Phosphate Requirements Of Rice In The Ord River Valley, Rijn P J Van, A. L. Chapman

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

A three-year experiment on the initial and maintenance phosphate requirements of wet-season rice was carried out at Kimberley Research Station between 1960 and 1963.

Application of 2 cwt. per acre superphosphate as the first application on new land, followed by annual application of 1J cwt. per acre is recommended.

Iron Deficiency Of Oats In The Lower South West, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick, R. Sprivulis

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

Oats grown on the acid peaty sands of the West and South Coastal areas of Western Australia develop iron deficiency.

This deficiency can be cured by spraying with iron sulphate. A 2 to 4 per cent, solution can be applied through a low volume spray without damage to the plants. The spray should be repeated when deficiency symptoms reappear.

Growing oats on these soils is not recommended.

Silage Competitions In The South-West : 1960-1961, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Review and results of the 1960-61 Australian Dairy Produce Board Silage Competition, and an outline of the 1961-62 Competition.