Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

Research : Co-Operation Is The New Style, John Hamblin, Ian Maling

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

Co-operative Research Centres, or CRCs as they are known, are a new trend in agricultural research. Instead of organisations such as Departments of Agriculture or universities pursuing their own individual research projects, sometimes in competition or covering similar fields, the idea is to combine talents and expertise. CRCs were a Federal Government initiative launched in 1990, and the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture was the first involving agriculture in Western Australia.

The Sheep Lice Detection Test, Peter Morcombe

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

Sheep farmers would agree it is difficult to find sheep lice when carrying out an inspection.

The lice detection test makes this task easier and helps farmers decide how to control lice. The test also helps community liaison groups with eradication of lice infestations in specific areas, and provides data for epidemiologists to monitor changes in prevalence of lice and efficacy of treatments. Tests are much cheaper than flock inspection on the farm.

The present lice detection test was developed by the Australian Wool Testing Authority (A WTA) and introduced as an integral part of the Western Australian Sheep Lice …

Weaning Kimberley Cattle Pays Off, D Pratchett, Stuart Young

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

Research results show that weaning Kimberley calves when they reach 140kg liveweight is one way of increasing herd productivity by changing management practices. However, removing the bulls from the breeding herd, rather than running them with the cows ywear round as is the practice, does not increase branding percentage.

Feral Donkeys : An Assessment Of Control In The Kimberley, S H. Wheeler

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

Feral donkeys are one of the major limitations to increased pastoral production in many parts of the Kimberley area of Western Australia, where they compete with cattle for food. In addition donkeys are aggressive animals, driving cattle from watering points and better grazing areas. They eliminate perenial plants by overgrazing and therefore reduce the carrying capacity of the range.

Originally introduced as draught animals, donkeys were released when cars arrived; since then they have bred up to large numbers in many areas.

For several years the Agricultural Protection Board has undertaken a programme of donkey shooting from helicopters. Since this …

How Rabbit Poisoning Methods Work, S H. Wheeler

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

While the "rabbit plauges" of the past are a distant memory for most farmers, rabbit numbers must still be controlled in many parts of Western Australia. Rabit control techniques rely heavily on poisoning, which given the right conditions can kill a high percentage of rabbits at risk.

Recent research by the Agricultural Protection Board has been aimed at determining how different poisons, baits and poisoning methods work. By knowing in detail how each method works and what influences its results, we can choose the best control method for a particular place and time, avoid costly failures, and increase the effectiveness …

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.

Poison Sedge Can Kill Stock, M E. Nairn, T. E. H. Aplin, D. S. Petterson, A. J. Brighton

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

POISON SEDGE was first suspected of being toxic to livestock in Western Australia nearly 80 years ago.

Sudden deaths of sheep grazing areas on which poison sedge grew have been reported from many regions from Geraldton to Scott River.

This article reports a case of poisoning in the field, and the experimental reproduction of poison sedge toxicity in pen-fed sheep.

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.

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.

Sheep Breeding Problems In W.A. : The Industry's View, Stanley M. Dennis

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

IN 1963 a short questionnaire was distributed to farmers and pastoralists seeking information about sheep breeding problems and lamb losses.

This was a fore-runner to the Department of Agriculture survey into the causes of abortion and lamb mortality which is reported elsewhere in this issue.

Kimberley Research Station Progress Report, 1964 : Insect Pests And Insecticides, K T. Richards

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

FOR the past four years, detailed studies have been carried out in regard to the identification, status, bionomics, and control of insects and mite pests attacking the various crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

How To Identify Twin-Born Lambs, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

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

IN the past few years it has become widely accepted that the ability to produce twin or multiple lambs is a heritable characteristic.

This means that breeding from sheep born as twins should give more multiple births and higher lambing percentages than breeding from sheep born as single lambs.

Dead Lambs : A Dead Loss, Stanley M. Dennis

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

During the past year the Animal Health Laboratory has continued its survey into the causes of abortion in sheep and perinatal lamb losses.

This article records the results of this work.

LAMBS and specimens from lambs were submitted to the Animal Health Laboratory from 229 properties situated in 121 areas in this survey during 1964.

Post-mortem examination was carried out on 1,422 lambs and specimens from 61 lambs were also examined.

Multi-Timer For Milking Studies, G W R Scott

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

Recent research into milking machine operation has proved that the belief of old-time hand-milkers that fast milking was good milking was soundly based.

In current practice the emphasis is on convenient shed and yard design and systematic routine in handling the cows. This permits a high throughput of cows and a high output of milk per labour unit.

The multi-timer designed and built by Mr. G. W. R. Scott and described in this article will prove most valuable for pinpointing where time is lost.

Flock Testing : Weighing, Sampling And Measurement Procedures For Fleece Measurement, H G. Neil, R. J. Lightfoot

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

An outline of shearing-shed procedure for the collection of greasy fleece weight records and sampling of the fleece for detailed measurement by the Department of Agriculture Flock Testing Service for Merino stud breeders.

The Effect Of Mulesing And Tailstripping At Lamb Marking On Subsequent Lamb Growth And Incidence Of Fly Strike, R J. Lightfoot, W. L. Mcgarry

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

THE modified mules and tailstrip operation has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the incidence of crutch strike in sheep.

In Western Australia the operation is usually performed on ewe weaners or hoggets immediately after either crutching or shearing.

Pig Research Projects For W.A, W J O Wilkie

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

The Medina Pig Research Unit now being developed by the Department of Agriculture will be an important addition to pig research facilities in Australia.

The primary function of the unit will be to serve the needs of the pig industry in Western Australia.

In this article, Animal Husbandry Officer W. J. Wilkie, B.V.Sc, discusses some aspects of research to be carried out.

Field Day : Poultry Research : A Progress Report : Poultry Research Station, Wembley, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

AT the fourth field day held at the Department of Agriculture's Poultry Research Station at Wembley recently, about 150 visitors, most of them commercial poultry farmers, inspected the station and saw the progress of the comprehensive research programme being carried out by officers of the Department's Poultry Branch.

Lambing Trials At Abydos Research Station, H Suijdendorp

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

ABYDOS Research Station is halfway between Port Hedland and Wittenoom Gorge. I t is in country of granitic origin that is largely covered with spinifex (mainly Triodia pungens) and associated species.

The results of a recent lambing trial at Abydos are discussed below:

Time Of Lambing Experiment : Merredin Research Station, 1959-60 (Progress Report), W L. Mcgarry, I. K. Stott

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

FOLLOWING upon the Time of Lambing Experiments at Esperance Plains Research Station (Journal of Agriculture, May, 1960) it was decided to carry out similar work with Merino sheep under the relatively harsher environment at Merredin Research Station.

Identicial Twins : A Valuable Aid To Animal Husbandry Research, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A T a recent field day at Wokalup Research Station a set of identical twins was shown as being the start of a project to build up a herd or number of such, for research and extension work.

Poisoning Rabbits From The Air, C D. Gooding

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

AERIAL baiting gives spectacular kills of rabbits in country which cannot be effectively treated by conventional means, and has been widely adopted in New Zealand and other States in Australia.

Here Mr. Gooding reports on developments in aerial baiting in Victoria, and suggests practical applications in Western Australia.

Identical Twins, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE response to the Department's appeal for identical twin calves has been gratifying, and so far this year five sets have been located and collected.

In view of the rare occurrence of identical twinning, this indicates excellent co-operation from dairy farmers.

The Success Of The Rabbit 'Killer' Trials, A R. Tomlinson

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

SUCCESS well beyond what was anticipated has been achieved in a two year trial of a modified version of the rabbit "killer" method.

In the "killer" method, trained officers are employed to kill rabbits instead of to inspect and supervise the activities of farmers and, in fact, these officers do all the actual work of destruction.

This system was advocated by the W.A. Royal Commission which reported on Vermin Control in this State in 1944, and it was used successfully in New Zealand.

These trials were applied only to poisoning and not to overall destruction measures. The main object was …

Galah Poisoning : Kill The "Cocky", John L. Long, F. Vagg

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

NO! Not the one that tills the land, but his enemy, the pink and grey galah (Kakatoe rosei-capilla).

Farmers have usually found the destruction of galahs damaging standing crops and bagged, or stored grain, fairly difficult.

Past methods of boiling grain and adding sweetened substances are rather laborious and require a lot of time.

Now, a quick and relatively simple method is available to farmers, using paraffin oil to adhere poison to the grain.

Better Rations For Broiler Production, P Smetana

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

DURING 1959, trials were conducted at the Poultry Research Station, Herdsman Lake, with the object of developing a broiler-feeding ration that was better than the one at present recommended by the Department of Agriculture and commonly used by local broiler producers.

Vermin Control In W.A, A R. Tomlinson

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

THE annual report of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. for 1958-1959 indicated that while vermin control had continued at a relatively high standard throughout the State, most of the animal and bird pests were at the lowest level within the memory of most people.

However, there were ample warnings that any relaxation in control work could have rapid and serious consequences.

Free Feeding For The Control Of Rabbits, C Marshall

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

IN common with most other farm work, the control of rabbits calls for a high degree of skill, patience and perseverance.

There is no short cut to success, and if results are required we must be prepared to give of our best.

Failures of control works are experienced at various times, and the reasons can generally be traced back to something we have failed to do or some short cut we have tried to take.

However, we should not lose heart from one failure. During normal farming procedure, if a farmer's crop fails he does not give up planting in …