Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Results Of Stubble Research In Western Australia, Michael Perry, Ron Jarvis, Mel Mason, David Tennant

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

Few farmers would question the desirability of retaining stubbles, both for control of erosion by wind and water, and to return organic matter to the soil. While the present debate is focused on the short term management of stubbles, longer term effects also need to be considered.

The Department of Agriculture has several long-running trials intended to measure long term effects.

The Extent And Cost Of Waterlogging, Don Mcfarlane, Buddy Wheaton

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

Waterlogging is an underrated and not widely recognized problem in our cropping areas. Before we can tackle the problem through drainage and alternative cropping systems, we need to know its extent and how much crop yield is lost. The effect of waterlogging on pasture growth is also poorly known.

Row Spacing And Cereal Crop Yield, R N. Burch, M. W. Perry

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

Cereal growers in western Australia have, traditionally, burned cereal stubbles. Burning stubble residues reduces weed seed populations and fungal pathogens, but its main purpose has been to eliminate straw which might cause blockages od seeding machinery and por see-bed preparation in the time critical seeding operation.

In 982, the Department of Agriculture began a project to determine whether wider spaced rows also depressed cereal yields in Western Australia. This article summarises some of the important results from that work.

Comparison Of Economic Returns From Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

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

While wheat is still generally the most profitable crop in Western Australia the relative profitability of barley and linseed has risen in the last few years; in southern areas they are likely to be at least as profitable as wheat.

Oats has fallen in profitability relative to wheat, and grain legumes have suffered a marked fall. Yields of these grains have increased with the introduction of new varieties but their price increases have not kept pace with those of wheat and barley. The present relationship of yields and costs indicates that substantial price changes will be needed to change the …

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M G. Mason

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

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, the farmer needs some understanding of how these factors work.

Grain Moisture Problems On The South Coast, J A. Parish, G. H. Jones

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

In most West Australian grain growing districts high temperatures and dry weather at grain maturation are ideal for harvesting and enable delivery of grain with acceptable moisture levels. Grain from W.A. is known in world markets as a good quality dry product which is unlikely to deteriorate in storage. However, growers in coastal areas and particularly those south of Narrogin sometimes have trouble harvesting grain below the receival limit of 12 per cent moisture.

Grain Moisture And The Weather : What Can The Records Tell Us?, M W. Perry, P. A. Fievez

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

The expansion of cereal production in areas along the south coast has exposed harvesting problems associated with high grain moisture.

A grain delivery standard of 12 per cent moisture means that, in the absence of grain drying facilities, harvesting times in the field are restricted to those hours when grain moisture falls below this figure.

Grain moisture, however, remains the major problem and for planning purposes, producers require an estimate of the harvesting time available in a given year. This will depend on all the climatic variables which affect grain moisture. These include rainfall and dew which deposit water directly …

Frost Injury To Cereals In W.A, M W. Perry, A. G. P. Brown

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

Late spring frosts commonly reduce yields and affect the quality of grain in wheat crops, especially in the southern, eastern and north-eastern districts. The damage is usually localised on individual farms, but is sometimes widespread.

Barley, and oats to a lesser extent, are also affected. Average losses of wheat in Western Australia have been estimated at 3 to 5 per cent, per year, or about 2 million bushels on current production figures.

Testing Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

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

TODAY'S competitive markets for crop products stress the need for greater awareness of buyers' requirements and more detailed knowledge about our ability to supply them.

Crop varieties and their performance in different environments are important aspects of production potential.

The Control Of Weeds In Cereals, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

PRACTICALLY all broadleaved weeds found in cereals can now be killed with herbicides and with most, the farmer has a choice of chemicals.

Two more new products are now available and these have several advantages over other herbicides.

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.

Cultivation : Does Haste Mean Waste?, H M. Fisher

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

Many farmers believe that increasing the speed of cultivation and seeding implements will cause deterioration of soils and reduced crop yields.

In a three-year trial on clover ley land at Wongan Hills higher cultivation speeds tended to increase rather than decrease wheat yields. There was some deterioration in the physical structure of the soil.

Bare Patch And Poor Emergence Of Cereals. 3. Crusting Of The Soil Surface, S C. Chambers

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

In some seasons extensive bare patches occur in cereal crops sown on the heavier wheat belt soils.

Experimental results from Beverley indicate that the poor emergence in some of these plantings may be due to crusting of the soil surface.

Working the surface with light harrows may destroy the crust and improve emergence.

Applying Copper And Zinc Fertilizers To Cereals, H M. Fisher

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

Most light soils with a sandy or gravelly surface are likely to need copper and zinc; heavier clay or loamy soils mostly do not.

Some Results With Nitrogen Fertiliser On Cereals At Esperance Plain Research Station, William John Toms

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

ON newly-cleared land at Esperance Plain Research Station the use of sulphate of ammonia on cereals has proved profitable over a number of seasons.

The response to sulphate of ammonia varies markedly with the season.