Digital Commons Network^™

Roaded Catchments In Wa, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Roaded catchments are earthwork structures designed to increase the amount of run-off from the catchment above a receiving farm dam.

Roaded catchments are lined with clay and compacted to make a smooth surface that reduces infiltration and increases run-off. Roaded catchments should discharge into a silt trap and then into a dam (excavated earth tank). This combined structure should be fenced to exclude livestock.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends that roaded catchments are part of an integrated water and salinity management program.

The information in this page is only a guide – seek expert advice before …

Natural Revegetation And No Grazing, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

The department recommends that any dryland salinity management is part of a whole farm, and preferably a whole catchment, water management plan.

Natural revegetation and no grazing are only recommended for sites that are too saline, waterlogged and/or inundated for other treatments to succeed in the south-west of Western Australia. It is also the preferred option for the lowest possible cost.

Saltland Pastures In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Saltland pastures are associations of salt and waterlogging-tolerant plants that produce fodder for grazing animals from saline and waterlogged soils. Saltland pastures can improve production from saltland sites, reduce salt movement from the site, and improve soil structure.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends that saltland management is part of a whole-farm, and preferably whole-catchment, plan.

Rabbit Fencing To Protect Crops And Pastures, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

This factsheet outlines the use of fencing to protect crops and pasture from rabbits.

Rabbits cause an estimated loss of $217 million each year to Australian agricultural production and cause significant environmental damage. In Western Australia (WA), areas of native vegetation, particularly on sandy ridges that would otherwise be subject to wind erosion, have been retained on farms. Bush remnants are a major refuge habitat for rabbits, which can cause considerable damage to nearby pastures and crops. A measure of rabbit control can be achieved by poisoning around bush remnants in late summer or autumn, prior to seeding. To be …

Evaluation Of Dual Purpose Canola And Cereals Grazed With Cattle, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducted research to investigate and demonstrate the importance of dual-purpose crops (canola, wheat and barley) to improve the feed availability for cattle (in late autumn to early winter) in mixed farming systems of the high rainfall environment of Western Australia (WA).

The grain yield of a wide range of canola and cereal varieties sown in mid-April were unaffected by the grazing of cattle at a stocking rate of 20 to 22 dry sheep equivalent (DSE) per hectare (ha) for up to 4 weeks at Esperance in 2011.

The grazed crops yielded the …

Rabbit Control: Warren And Harbourage Destruction, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

If correctly and appropriately undertaken, the destruction of rabbit warrens, or modification of the habitat so it becomes less favourable to rabbits, can be an important and effective part of reducing the impacts of rabbits.

Destruction of warrens can improve the overall effectiveness of rabbit control programs, even though many rabbits live and shelter above-ground under bushes, and in scrub). If undertaken properly, the ripping of rabbit warrens can often provide a relatively permanent and long-term benefit. Similarly, removing or modifying other forms of rabbit-harbourage (for example, removing rock piles) can help, particularly in semi-urban areas or on smallholdings.

Electric Ant (Little Fire Ant), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The electric ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), also known as little fire ant, is a tiny, gold-brown coloured ant, and one of the world's most invasive pests. Electric ants prey on and compete with other insects and can displace large numbers of native animals, ants, and other insects.

They affect human health and lifestyle, can inflict painful stings on humans and wild and domestic animals, can blind pets, damage the environment, and have the potential to severely affect agricultural industries.

The electric ant is native to Central and South America and was first detected in Australia in 2006 in Queensland, where there …

Accumulation Of Road Salt In A Calcareous Fen: Kampoosa Bog, Western Massachusetts, Wayne Ndlovu, Andrew J. Guswa, Amy L. Rhodes

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

Road salt poses a threat to the quality of soils and water resources. Wetlands located in salt contaminated areas are at risk of experiencing lower plant and animal species diversity. Therefore, it is critical to understand how modifications to salt application rates and hydrological events impact wetland water quality. Here, we use chloride mass flux, discharge, groundwater chloride concentration, meteorological, and salt application data from 2012– 2020 to estimate chloride accumulation and outflux rates in the Kampoosa Bog subwatersheds, located in Stockbridge and Lee, Massachusetts, and bordered by major highways (Interstate-90 and U.S. Route 7). We also investigate the correlation …

Factors Influencing The Faunal Recolonization Of Restored Thornscrub Forest Habitats, Audrey J. Hicks, Jerald T. Garrett, Christopher A. Gabler

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Tamaulipan thornscrub forests (thornforests) have high ecological and economic values, yet over 90% of these forests have been lost, and they remain threatened, making them a conservation hotspot. For decades, federal, state, NGO, and corporate entities have been acquiring land and actively or passively restoring these forests, but results have been mixed and seldom monitored. This study characterized and quantified faunal communities of restored thornforest habitats in south Texas and examined the relationships between restored faunal communities and key site characteristics and environmental factors. We surveyed and analyzed mammal, bird, Lepidoptera, and herptile communities within 12 restored sites in the …

A Research And Development Strategy For Whitegrass Pasture: The Dominant Cool Temperate Rangeland Species Of The Falkland Islands, G M. Hoppe, J A. Kerr

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Whitegrass (Cortaderia pilosa), the dominant rangeland plant species in the Falkland Islands, has been estimated to cover approximately 60% of the land area, It generally grows on peat soils and exhibits a range of growth forms depending upon soil drainage, The climate of the islands is cool oceanic with on annual precipitation of 300-650 mm. A brief history of agricultural research (established only in 1975) and work areas is presented. A major constraint to the productivity of the Falkland Islands sheep industry is poor utilisation of whilegrnss·dominant pasture. To develop new management strategies for whitegrass aimed at improved …

Phosphate Fertilizer For Pasture Maintenance In Southern Brazil, O.L P. De Oliverira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The study was conducted in the south of Brazil at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Enterprise, BMBRAPA. A winter-cultivated pasture stocked for 14 years with different stocking rates ended with different soil phosphorus (P) levels. To evaluate additional pho·sphate fertiliser response on this area, a pot experiment in the glasshouse was carried out. Levels of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 kg/ha of P20s were applied on a soil with 12.0, 12.5 and 17.0 ppm of available soil P, respectively, from low, medium and high stocking rates. White clover (Trifolium repens L.) was grown in pots of 2 kg of …

Choosing A Forage System For The Future In Dairying Production In The Western Part Of France, Eric P. Gendron

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A group of 25 dairy farms (44 ha, 38 cows, 7500 kg of milk/cow) was used for elaborating technical and economic references on dairy production systems in the department of Maine et Loire (western France), between 1986 and 1991. Changes in choosing a forage system began with the restriction of dairy production under EC rules introduced in 1984. Very intensive systems (over 10 000 kg of milk/ ha) no longer guaranteed that a better level of production per cow meant a better income for the farmer. After 5 years of study it was possible to propose 4 forage systems with …

Effect Of Grazing Order On Live-Weight Gain Of Young Female Beef Cattle, Jose Fernando Piva Lobato, Blas H.J Cristaldo Albospino, Fernando Rigo Magalhaves, Assan Ali Taher

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In order to evaluate the daily live-weight gain and overall live weight of 2 groups of 30 female beef calves from weaning until 2 years of age, an experiment was run at Field Station al Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Eldorado do Sul district. Group A was introduced to the paddocks first, and the animals were allowed to graze half the available pasture. These animals were then removed and group B was introduced and grazed the remaining available pasture, During the first (28 June 1990-19 October 1990), and second (12 June 1991-16 October 1991 ), winter-spring seasons, …

Animal Keeping By Grazing, I Vinczeffy, M Kota

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study calls attention to some important parameters and effects of the pasture and grazing, on the basis of our experiments carried out during the last 45 years.

Breeding To Reduce Susceptibility To Bloat In Dairy Cattle, C A. Morris, R J. Wilkins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An experiment with Friesian x Jersey cross cattle was established in 1972 at Ruakura, in order to select in 2 closed herds for high (HS) or low (LS) susceptibility to pasture bloat. By the 1990 calf crop, there was a difference in adjusted bloat score between herds of 0.94 units (1.93 genetic standard deviations). The repeatability and heritability of a single bloat score were 0.13+0.02, and 0.12+0.06, with a heritability of 0.52+0.22 for mean bloat score. Annual death rates from bloat have averaged 2.6% in the HS herd and 0.8% in the LS herd (0% in the LS herd for …

Influence Of Renovation Of Old Fescue Pasture On Beef Production, J A. Josifovich

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of renovation by interseeding of a 30-year-old fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pasture, naturally invaded with dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.), was evaluated during 3 years at the Pergamino Experiment Station. The renovation was done by minimum tillage equipment using a spring-toothed cultivator, The mixture sown was brome (Bromus 1mioloides H.B.K.) cv. Martfn Fierro MAG, chicory (Cichoriumorium intybus L.) cv. San Pedro INTA, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv. El Surefto INTA, white clover (Trifolium repens L,) cv. El Lucero MAG, and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) cv. La yapalNTA. There were 2 treatments: …

Some Effects Of Sole Pasture Diets On Reproductive Performance Of Lactating Cows In Seasonal Dairy Herds, K L. Macmillan, S Mcdougall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The reproductive performance of 631 dairy cows in 5 herds which had a single concentrated calving programme in late winter was monitored through the post-partum period and the breeding programme. The cows in ench herd were of high genetic merit and received a sole ration of pasture grazed in situ. Anoestrous animals which had failed to ovulate since calving were identified before the start of the breeding programme. The average post-partum interval to first oestrus was 48.5 days, but ranged from 35.7 to 58,5 days in individual herds. It was 86.6 days in the anoestrous cows which represented 18.7% of …

Experience With Grazing Geese On Pasture, G Nacy, S Mihok

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Under large field and model experimental conditions large flocks of geese were grazed. Rotational grazing was utilised in order to avoid sward damage by overgrazing and environmental pollution by too much goose droppings on the grazed area. Observations included grazing habits of geese, selection of grasses and herbs by geese, rotational grazing and use of electric fences, effect of goose droppings on grass and the necessity of grain supplementation for meat geese grazed on pasture. Our experiences show that the geese grazed deeper into the sward canopy than any other grazing domestic animal in Hungary. The geese did not select …

Trends In Intensive Temperate Grassland Systems, J D. Leaver, F Weissbach

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Intensification of grassland in temperate zones has been successful in substantially increasing output of animal products per unit area of land. This trend is unlikely to continue, however, where intensification has been supported by large subsidies, as in EC countries. The high costs of both subsidising the production systems and the export of surplus products is not sustainable. The distortion in world trade caused by such policies combined with concerns over the environmental implications of intensification has already led to CAP reforms in Europe to de-intensify ruminant. livestock systems. Liberalisation of world trade through GA TT could lend to further …

Behavior Of Goats And Sheep On An Eroded Hill Country Pasture In Winter, L A. Greaves, M E. Wedderburn

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The behaviour of cashmere-producing does was compared with that of Romney ewes on an area of surface erosion in pasture-dominated hill country during winter. Five ewes and 5 does were monitored. Each group was observed for 4 days, during June-July, from dawn to dusk. A fixed, remote video camera was used to record the animals' behaviour. Tapes were later analysed, noting animal activity, position and time. Bwes spent 13% of their day on the eroded surfaces compared to 2% for the does, Does were observed on the erosion mainly in the afternoon, whereas the ewes were present at all stages …

Lysimeter Study Of The Fate Of Nitrogen In Animal Urine Applied To Flood-Irrigated Pasture, K C. Cameron, P M. Fraser

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The fate of nitrogen (N) in animal urine returns to flood irrigated pasture was studied using large soil monolith lysimeters (800 nun diameter x 1200 mm deep). Over a period of I year, the largest fraction of applied 15N (44%) was recovered by the pasture plants. The total amount (42 kg N/ha) and average peak concentration of N, in the leachate (42 µgN/ml) were less than values reported for many: other agricultural situations (e.g., ploughed pasture). The amount of N lost by denitrification was high (28% of applied 15N) and attributed to the wet soil conditions which prevailed. The amount …

Factors Affecting Plant Sulphur Requirements In New Zealand Pastoral And Arable Systems, M L. Nguyen, K M. Goh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper reviews major factors affecting sulphur (S) cycling in New Zealand pastoral and arable· systems and identifies areas of research required to improve the efficient use of S fertilisers and soil S reserves. In the grazed pastoral system, S removal in animal products constitutes a small fraction of total S output while S leaching losses and excreta! S transfer losses to stock camps are substantial. Although grazing animals may cause a considerable S loss from the system, they enhance the oxidation of elemental S. Accumulated soil organic S due to the return of animal excreta and long-term annual applications …

An Overview Of The New Zealand Experience In Establishing, Maintaining, And Utilizing White Clover Based Pastures, M B. O'Connor, A M. Bryant, R A. Prestidge

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Establishment of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) involves the provision of all major and minor elements necessary for clover growth and N fixation (particularly P, S, K, Mo). Nitrogen fertiliser is not necessary. Inoculation of seed with rhizobium is required where white clover has not been grown previously and in difficult environments. Pest control where necessary is enhanced by insecticidal and nematicidal seed coatings on the white clover seed, Barty management is critical and involves regulnr close grazing during the first 6 months. Maintenance of white clover pastures involves annual inputs of fertiliser (P, S, K) with lime at …

Recent Considerations Of Grassland "Soil Quality" In Temperate Regions, S P. Mcgrath, S C. Jarvis

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The term "soil quality" is increasingly being used in Europe, albeit in an ill-defined way. Perceived quality depends critically on the use being made of the soil and the tolerance of other parts of the environment to substances moving from soils. This paper focuses on issues relevant to the maintenance of quality in temperate grassland soils. Soils are under threat from heavy metals, organic contaminants and radionuclides because they are sinks for many of these substances, thus lending to accumulation. The impact of these contaminants is assessed, along with the management options and relevant legislation to minimise their effects. Most …

Carcinogenicity Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Spp.) In Relationship To Grazing Ruminants, B L. Smith, D R. Lauren, P P. Embling, M Agnew

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bracken fern (Pteridium spp.) is the only higher plant which has been shown to cause cancer naturally in animals. Bracken contains ptaquiloside (Pta) a known clastogen and mutagen which is believed to be the major carcinogen involved in the urinary bladder neoplasia. In New Zealand, bracken fern from an area where bovine enzootic haematuria occurs has been shown to have much higher concentrations of Pia than an area where the disease has not been identified. The difference was shown to be related to the bracken rather than the environment and was widespread for the plants in the two areas …

A Slow Release Intra-Ruminal Device For Protection Against Facial Eczema In Sheep, R Munday, E A. Fowke, A M. Thompson, C Wesselink, N R. Towers

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Facial eczema (FE) is a hepatogenous photosensitization disease of ruminants which causes severe losses in agricultural revenue in New Zealand. It is caused by sprophytic, a myotoxin produced by the saprophytic pastoral fungus Pilllomyces chartarum. Zinc (Zn) salts, given to animals before exposure to the toxin, protect against the harmful effects of sporidesmin. Large amounts of Zn are required and dosing must be continued, at regular intervals, throughout the period when animals are exposed to the fungus. While practicable for dairy cattle, these requirements preclude the routine use of Zn for FB prophylaxis in sheep. For these animals, a …

Effect Of Tiller Endophyte Infection Frequency And Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Of Tall Fescue On Steer Performance Over Nine Seasons Of Grazing, J A. Stuedemann, S R. Wilkinson, D P. Belesky, F N. Thompson, D L. Breedlove, D M. Hildreth, H Ciordia, A H. Parks, C S. Hoveland, J Huang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acremonium coenopliialium-infected tall fescue (Festuca arrundinacea Schreb.) is associated with animal health problems including reduced ,veight gains. Twelve 0.7 ha paddocks were used to study Kentucky- 31 tall fescue at low (LE=25%) or high (HE::58%) tiller endophyte (E) infection frequencies and fertilised with either 134 (LN) or 336, kg nitrogen/ha/year (HN) in a 22 factorial arrangement of treatments. Yearling Angus steers grazed under put-and-take management from April or May through late July or early August in each of nine years. In all except one year, ADG was lower (P<0.0769 to P<0.0018) on HE than LE. In 4 of 9 years, HN lowered (P<0.0821 to P<0.0003) ADG compared to LN. In only 2 of 9 years was there an NxE interaction (P<0,0537), the interactions expressing opposite effects when comparing the 2 years. In all but 3 years there was a linear (P<0.0606 to P<0.0019) relationship between endophyte infection rate and ADG. In only 1 of 9 years were quadratic effects significant (P<0.0407). Endophyte infestation consistently lowered steer AOG in a linear fashion with N effects less distinct,

Integration Of High Formononetin Red Clover In Sheep Grazing Systems, G S. Baxter, D R. Stevens, A J. Harris

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture and animal production from pastures based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with either white clover (Trifolium repens L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), or a dual clover base having 60% of the area in white clover and 40% in red clover, were compared over 3 years in self-contained I ha farmlets stocked with 20 ewes/ha, Annual pasture production was similar on all three farmlets, although autumn production of the red clover farmlet was significantly lower than the white or mixed clover systems. Legume production was greatest on the mixed and red clover farmlets in summer and the …

Drought Pearl Millet- An Unpalatable Enigma, D J. Minson, J B. Hacker, M Shimojo, P Stuart, J Slatter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

After planting in late 1989 there were many reports that Nutrifeed was unpalatable to cattle, sheep and horses. Seventy­five properties were visited where unpalatability was common, a questionnaire was distributed and samples of forage and soil were analysed. Forty-six properties reported unpalatability but on the other 29, pearl millet was palatable. Unpalatability developed only when forage grown on soil high in available nitrogen was subjected to a shortage of water. Unpalatable forage was dark green, contained more than 3S g N/kg DM and was often low in phosphorus, After rain or irrigation the new growth was usually palatable but stock …

Coping With Mycotoxins That Constrain Animal Production, N R. Towers, M R. Siegel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Many fungi are parasites and saprophytes of growing and conserved forage crops. A number of these produce mycoloxins, the synthesis of which is controlled by the interaction of fungal and host genomes and the environment. Mycotoxins have diverse chemical structures and elicit a range of responses in ruminant animals. Some of the more important mycotoxin-producing fungi found in forages include Claviceps spp. (ergot alkaloids, paspalitrems) and Acremonium spp. (ergot alkaloids, lolitrcms) causing various forms of ergot toxicity and neurological (lremorgenic) disorders; Pithomyces clrartarum (sporidesmin) and other fungal species causing photosensitisation (e.g., facial eczema, geeldikkop); Phomopsis /eptoslromiformis (phomopsins) causing lupinosis; Rhizoctonia …