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A Comparison Of Hay Conservation Systems, E E. Rowley

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

The high cost an dshortage of farm labour in the Esperance District is posing serious problems for farmers using traditional hay conservation systems. Author Ted Rowley, then an advisor with the Esperance District office of the Department of Agriculture surveyed a number of farms to study the economics of varoius alternatives. This article is a summary of his report presented to a 1976 Fodder Conservation Workshop.

1976 Phosphorus And Sulphur Group, J. W. Bowden, R J. Lunt, K F. Longbottom, W E. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Stocking x Super. rate trials - 66M30, 62MB9, 68BR7. Crossed plot trials - residual value. P x K on Pasture - 74TS4, 74M06, 75GE6. N x P on· Wheat - 75M09. P x Species - 75LG4, 75JE5. Maintenance P x S trials - Wheat Belt Research Station - 65A1; C5, N5, 69WH15. High Rainfall Areas - 68B1, 69E6, 69AL2. Farmers residual value - 66N07, 66ME3,67N011, 66NA3, 66LG1, 68LG1, 66M06, 67M01, 67GE2, 67N05, 67N04, 66N09. Miscellaneous Cropping Trials - Super x Spacing - 76ME26, 76ES8, 9 and 10. Super Study rate and spacing - 76NA7, 76N05, 76JE8. Continuous cropping - 75LG26, …

1976 Summary Of Results - Sowing Systems - Fallow Re-Assessment, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Sowing Systems - Effect on Mineralisation of Soil Nitrogen: Locations: T. Kettle, Kendenup - 76AL32 (Clipper barley), J.& R. Erickson, Bolgart - 76MOJ2 (Gamenya wheat), M. Brown, Yillminning - 76NA41-A (Gamenya wheat), R. Koch, Boddington - 76NA41-B (Gamenya wheat), Esperance Research Station - 76E33 (Gamenya wheat). Sowing systems. Herbicide application. Results: A. 76NA41-B, B. 76AL32, c. 76MO32, D. 76NA41-A, E. 76E33. Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29.

1976 Cereal Disease Survey - Mycosphaerella Graminum Spore Trap Studies - S. Nodorum Yield, A G. Brown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. A.G.P. Brown and T.N. Khan - Cereal disease survey. Samples were again collected from C.V.T.s by District Office staff and sent to South Perth for evaluation. A single sampling was made in 1976 at 120 days after sowing. No samples were received from Geraldton or Three Springs trials (presumably these failed to drought). Only one sample was received from Moora, none from Merredin and only one from Jerramungup. All samples from Narrogin were lost at South Perth. A number of samples were collected well after 120 days old and were senescent. 1. E. Moora. 2. Badgingarra R.S. 3. West …

1976 Experimental Summary, D. Gillespie

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Cultivar Evaluation in High Rainfall Areas a) Midland B/Seaton Park/Yarloop/Larisa - 72MT29 b) Trikkala evaluation trial - 76MT3 2. Pasture deterioration - high rainfall areas. Variety Daliak. Dinninup. Woogenellup. Yarloop. Mt. Barker. Nangeela. Midland B. Toodyay C. Guildford D. Jarrahdale B. Trikkala. Larisa. a) Phytotron experiments. Dinn. x (Daliak x Tood. C) (av. of 6 crosses) Dinn. x (Mid. B x Nangeela) (av. of 3 crosses Daliak x (Mid. B x Nangeela) (av. of 4 crosses) b) Field experiments - 76MA8, 76DE3. 3. Lucerne productivity and persistence - 74E3-Sheep, 74E4-Cattle, 74E3-Sheep, 74E4-Cattle, 75AL30-Cattle. 4. Effects of saline irrigation water-on …

1976 Pasture Species Investigations - Wheatbelt, N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials in Progress. Only four grazing trials were continued in 1976. The pasture species and management trial at Moora (68M023) required a disproportionate amount of available work time. About 6 man-months were spent in completing the fencing, repairing and modifying the water system and increasing the working efficiency of the experiment. Sheep were reintroduced to the trial early in June. This report summarizes the results from the trials under the following headings:- Seasonal Conditions; Grazing Trials;, Legume Grazing Management Trial, West Moora - 68M023; Comparison of Production from Cyprus Medic and Volunteer Pasture - 71LG17; Tornafield Medic, Serradella and Subterranean …

1975 Weed Control Investigations In High Rainfall Areas, J M. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Docks. 2. Capeweed. Dock control - Dicamba in pastures - 73AL38, 73AR9, 73BU9. Fiddle dock control glyphosate evaluation - 74AL26, 74BU14, 74BY7, 74DE13, 74HA7. Dock control - pasture renovation - 75AL6, 75BU2, 75HA2.

Ryegrass Control - Cultural And Chemical Systems, J. E. Holmes, G. A. Pearce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

RYEGRASS CONTROL - SPRAYTOP - SPRAY SEED + AUTUMN CULTIVATION 75M48 LOCALITY: Merredin Research Station. RYEGRASS CONTROL - SPRAYTOP - SPRAY SEED + AUTUMN- CULTIVATION 75WH67 LOCALITY: Wongan Hills RYEGRASS CONTROL - SPRAYTOP - SPRAYSEED + AUTUMN CULTIVATION 75N22 LOCALITY: Newdegate Research Station. RYEGRASS GERMINATION - EFFECT OF CULTIVATION 76Al0 LOCALITY: Avondale Research Station. RYEGRASS CONTROL - CULTURAL SYSTEMS 75A31 LOCALITY: Avondale Research Station. ANNUAL RYEGRASS CONTROL - CULTURAL SYSTEMS 75M49 LOCALITY: Merredin Research Station. RYEGRASS CONTROL - CULTURAL SYSTEMS 75E20 LOCALITY: Esperance Downs Research Station. RYEGRASS CONTROL - CULTURAL SYSTEMS 75SG16 lOCALITY: Salmon Gums Research Station. CONTROL OF RYEGBASS …

1976 Pasture Species Investigations - High Rainfall Area, D A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Clover cultivar grazing trial - North Bannister - 68NA1. 2. Perennial versus Annual grass grazing trial Manjimup Research Station - 72MN5. 3. Pasture types x stocking rate trial - Denmark - 72D1. 4. Clover cultivar evaluation trial - Denmark - 76D4. 5. Clover cultivar evaluation trial - Esperance - 76ES11.

1974 Seed Yield Of Early Maturing Crossbreds Under Wheatbelt Conditions, C. M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Small plot trials sited at Merredin, Bencubbin and Bungil again demonstrated the 'bred' varieties to be at least the equal of Geraldton or Northam A under wheatbelt conditions. Growing season conditions at Bencubbin were the best for pasture in recent years. Merredin and Bungil also received above average rainfall but encountered dry conditions in September. Predictably the coarse siliceous nature of the Wodgil soil at Bungil in conjunction with the dry period produced very low seed yields. Crossbred 175.1.3 the leading crossbred at Merredin in 1973, was again significantly better than Geraldton or Northam A at Merredin and Bungil (Table …

Summary Of 1974 Dock Control Field Trials, J M. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Dock control - Spray graze evaluations - 73BY8, 73HA4, 73BU5, 73MA6, 73DE6 Dicamba in pastures - 73AL38, 73BU9, 73AR9

Summary Of Trial Results - 1974, N R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Observations and measurements were made on 10 grazing trials and 11 small-plot legume species trials in 1974. Three of the grazing trials were under crop, two of them concluding low oestrogen species trials which had been grazed since 1969, and one of them, 68M023, West Moora, as an interval between pasture phases. The small-plot trials dated from 1970 or later and on most of them half of each plot could be grazed by sheep and half was protected. These trials have continued to supply useful information on the suitabiliy of cultivars to soil and climate and will be the subject …

Decide : How Much Superphosphate, G A. Robertson, J. W. Bowden, N. J. Halse

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

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975.

* Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply.

• DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered.

• DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer's own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is …

1975 Phosphorus And Sulphur Sources Trials, M D. Bolland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Sulphur sources trials (a) Newdegate Gypsum Trials: Yarloop - 75YA3, Bridgetown - 75BR10, Busselton - 75BU6, Alexandria Bridge - 75BU7. (b) Gyplap - FeS04 Trial: McAlinden - 75BY4. 2. Phosphorus source trials: E. Chittering - 75NO7A E. Chittering - 75NO7B

1975 Fallow Re-Assessment And Soil Physical Data Accumulation, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report summarises progress and data available for the following investigations. 1. Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29. 2. Soil Physical Data Accumulation. (a) Evaluation of methods of bulk density measurement. (b) Water holding capacities and mechanical analyses of wheatbelt soils. (c) Water holding capacities of metropolitan sands. TABLE 3 Water holding capacities (1/10 - 15 Atmosphere water contents) of metropolitan sands (mm of water). Bulk density of 1.6 assumed. 1. Medina Research Station. 2. Morley White Sand. 3. Karrakatta Sand. 4. Bassendean Sand. 5. South Perth Lawn. 6. South Perth Scrub. 7. Underwood Avenue Research Station. 8. Floreat Park Sand. 9. …

1974 Field Experiments On Legume Seed Inoculation, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The response of sweet lupins to inoculation in Western Australia Before proceeding with details of the six lupin inoculation experiments conducted in 1974 the following comments are presented as a brief summary of the work so far done on lupin inoculation. Thirty nine inoculation experiments with sweet lupins (mainly Lupinus angustifolius var. Uniwhite, Uniharvest and Unicrop have been conducted in South-Western Australia since 1970. They have been drill-sown under farmer conditions and they have been aimed at finding where it is necessary to inoculate and the best method of inoculating seed. Of the 39 trials, 36 gave better nodulation following …

1975 Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals - Trials With Wheat, Oats And Barley, M. G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Rates of nitrogen on wheat - soil test - Fifty-one sites were selected and soil sampled during February- March. All these proposed trials consisted of four replications and these reps were soil sampled separately. In each rep. 20 samples were taken to 10cm depth with pogo stick samplers. In addition, from three holes at random across each trial bulk samples were obtained from the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil intervals These soil samples were air dried (if not already dry) and sieved to remove > 2 mm fraction (gravel). Portions of these < 2mm fractions from the 0-10cm samples were sent to the Government Chemical Laboratories and to C.S.B.P. & Farmers Ltd. At C.S.B.P. analyses were carried out to determine P and K content and the C.S.B.P. soil nitrogen test was also carried out on them. This measures nitrate content before and after incubation with moist soil at 32c for seven days. A measurement was also made after 14 days. At Government Chemical Laboratories analyses were to be carried for Organic carbon and for a number of nitrogen fractions, including Total Nitrogen, MH4 + NO3 Nitrogen and several incubation techniques. These were also to be determined on the profile samples, which were also to be subject to the following analyses: a) Mechanical Analysis b) pH (in water) c) Cation Exchange Capacity d) Moisture Holding Capacity All of these trials were planted except for one at Jerramungup, where the marker pegs were ploughed out by the farmer. Vegetative cuts were then taken during the August - September period on 46 of the remaining 50 sites. Three of the other four sites were abandoned because of severe waterlogging (Neridup), extreme weediness (Nugadong) or due to poor plant survival (possibly due to webworm) combined with weeds (Mallalying). The trial at Wannamal was sown to oats, by the farmer. The nitrogen treatments were still applied and the trial was retained but not sampled for dry matter production. These samples were to be analysed for nitrogen content. Dry matter production and grain yields are set out in the following tables. 61M11, 75A1. 75A2, 75A3, 75AL1, 75AL2, 75BA2, 75BA3, 75BR1, 75BR2, 75C1, 75C2, 75C3, 75E2, 75E3, 75ES1, 75ES2, 75ES4, 75GE1, 75GE2, 75GE3, 75JE1, 5JE2, 75KA1, 75KA2, 75LG1, 75LG2, 75LG3, 75M2, 75M3,75M4, 75ME1, 75ME2, 75ME3, 75MO1, 75MO2, 75MO4, 75MT2, 75MT3, 75N1, 75N2, 75N3, 75NA1, 75NA3. 75NA4, 75NO2, 75NO3, 75SG1, 75SG2, 75TS2, 75TS3, 75TS4, 75WH4, 75WH5, 75WH6, 75WH7.

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.

Summary Of 1975 Field Experiments With Advisers: "Rape Blackleg Disease Fungicide Trials", M J. Barbetti

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

During 1973 and 1974 a large range of fungicide spray and seed treatment schedules were tested. The 1973 results were, on the whole, not very encouraging, but the very early post-germination spray, two weeks after germination, did indicate a possible means of control. In view of the 1973 results, in the 1974 trials fungicidal sprays were applied early, and a new method of application of fungicide to the seed, known as "prilling" was used. Using fungicide seed prills and seedless fungicide prills the idea was to have the fungicide mixed with materials which dispersed upon wetting, so releasing and making …

Summary Of Trial Results - 1975, N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. From September 1971 to late August 1974 there was a mean reduction of legume content in the medic pastures from 40 per cent to 22.0 per cent but the reduction at 7.4 sh/ha was to 31 per cent. The drop in woolly clover content on the volunteer pastures was closely similar. 2. In 1972, at 7.4 sheep/ha a difference in body weight of 7-9 kg rapidly developed in favour of sheep grazing barrel medic compared with sheep on volunteer pasture. This difference was maintained consistently throughout the trial. At lower stocking rates the differences were smaller and less consistent. …

Evaluation Of The Systemic Nematicide Phenamiphos To Control The Nematode Anguina Sp In Toxic Ryegrass Pasture, B A. Stynes

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field trials done in 1974 showed that phenamiphos could be used to control Anguina sp. and suggested that low rates may be effective with critical timing of applications. These possibilities were investigated in 1975. Locality - Katanning - F. Quartermaine and c. Butterworth. Gnowangerup - J. Griffith. Tables 1 and 2 show the absolute levels of nematodes in ryegrass seed and the density of nematodes per unit area of pasture after treatment with phenamiphos. All rates of nematicide reduced the level and density of nematodes; the highest rate being slightly more effective. The spray schedule including sprays in July and …

Summary Of 1974 Weed Control In Lupin Evaluations, J. G. Allen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupin Trials 1974 1. Herbicides x Depth of Seeding - There is no evidence of a herbicide x depth of seeding interaction in lupin plant numbers, at either Broomehill or Eradu. The lupin plants on the shallow sown plots were reported to be more effected by herbicides than on the deeper sown plots at Eradu. It is suggested that shallow seeding may be a factor in predisposing lupin crops to simazine damage particularly on sandy soils, however it has not been possible to demonstrate such on effect. 2. Herbicides x Time of Seeding - At two sites (Myrup, Namban) there …

1975 Evaluation Of New Subterranean Clover Cultivars, C. M. Francis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This year's trials have added little to the data already accumulated on the corssbreds 175,1 and 239.2 (Table 1). Higher seed yields at Merredin would have included some hard seed from the previous year. The lack of reliable data from the May sowings due to poor viability of some seed lines (including 175 and 239) grown at Medina was unfortunate. Data from Lake King is not yet available. Geraldton performed surprisingly well in the late sowings despite overall low seed yields. With late sowing its flowering date was within a few days of the crossbreds so that late sowing appears …

1975 Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins - Long Term Rotation Trials, Ian Rowland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins 75A4, 75BA6, 75E4, 75GE9, 75JE9, 75MT6, 75N028, 75WH9. Long Term. Rotation Trials W56H, 66M29, 67Cl3, 67N4, 68E5, 68SG5, 69GE20, 73SG16. Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins Use of the stage 4 lupin variety trials to assess the effect of a year of sweet grain lupins on a following cereal crop was continued. The 1974 variety trials contained a number of lupin varieties randomised with two standard wheat varieties. Also at two times of planting. Eight trials were selected: 74GE26 at Morawa, 74BA7 at Badgingarra, 74WH8 at Wongan Hills, 74N08 at Bolgart, 74A8 at Beverley, 74MT8 at …

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

1975 Part 2 - Rate, Time And Frequency Of Nitrogen Application On Kikuyu, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

J. Burton,, Hazelvale 74DE7. I. Dry Matter Production kg/ha/day tables - (No Spring '74 N) (Spring N 1974) Soil Properties March 10, 1975. Total N concentration % - Tables

1975 Trials On Doublegee, D J. Gilbey

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

75A16, 75A17, 75C13, 75MO36, 75MO37, 75WH21, 75WH22. Biological control of doublegee.

1975 Clover Scorch, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

(Feb 1976) This report covers the three major clover scorch activities for the year: A) The tolerance screening at Denmark. B) The dry matter production in the second year of a mowing trial, in which clovers with and without scorch were compared the previous year. C) A summary of the first four years of a disease incidence survey - and an examination of some meteorological factors in relation to disease development. The first two were done jointly with Dr C.M. Francis. The following tentative hypotheses are advanced to explain the regional differences in the distribution of clover scorch: a) The …

1975 Lupin Diseases, P M. Wood

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Sclerotinia stem rot, a fungal disease, is becoming increasingly important. This disease can attack the stem at any point from the stem base to the first laterals. Lodging can result if the canker is severe enough. Superficial cankers can disrupt sap flow resulting in poorly filled pods. The fungicide Benlate is used overseas to control Sclerotinia in bean plantings, Accordingly, a fungicide trial was planned to estimate yield losses resulting from Sclerotinia infection. A secondary aim was to examine any yield response which could be attributed to reported growth promoting properties of benomyl - 75MT33. Brown spot of lupins - …

1975 Field Experiments On Legume Seed Inoculation, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

(January 1976) LIST OF EXPERIMENTS 1. The effect of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. GREEN RANGE 2. The effect of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. BRAMLEY RESEARCH STATION 3. The effect of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. McALINDEN 4. The effect; of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. CHOWERUP 5. The effect of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. ALANO OKA 6. The effect of cobalt and seed inoculation on Unicrop lupins. LANCELIN 7. The effect of inoculation on Uni crop lupins. KATANNING 8. The effect of inoculation on Uni crop lupins. …