Life Sciences Commons^™

Virus Diseases Of Subterranean Clover Pastures And Their Management, David Ferris, Roger Jones

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

In Western Australia and southern Australia generally, subterranean clover mottle (SCMV) and bean yellow mosaic (BYMV) are the most damaging virus diseases of subterranean clover pastures.

Although infected plants cannot be cured of virus infection, pastures can be managed to reduce both virus spread and persistence from year to year. Management options depend on which virus is present and include reseeding with resistant varieties; changing the pasture composition so that non-host species predominate; altering grazing practices to limit spread; and application of pesticide sprays to kill aphids.

New Technique Joins The Fight Against Footrot, Laurie Depiazzi, Mike Palmer, David Pitman

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

The diagnosis of footrot in sheep and goats is not an easy task. Two main techniques are used for diagnosis - inspection of diseased feet on a farm and laboratory testing of bacteria isolated from foot scrapings. The interpretation of the results obtained by these methods requires a good understanding of the various forms of footrot.

A new laboratory technique has halved the time taken to detect those strains of the bacterium, Bacteroides (Dichelobacter) nodosus, that cause each form of the disease.

Rhizoctonia Patch Of Cereals, G C. Macnish

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

Rhizoctonia patch is now widespread within Western Australia, having been recorded on all cereals and on a wide variety of other crops and pasture plants. Although the disease-as its name implies - looks spectacular in the field, the overall reduction in crop yield is probably small. However, its increasing frequency is causing considerable concern as the disease appears to be associated with minimum or reduced tillage systems.

Dispelling Some Myths About 'Dermo', J R. Edwards

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

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about dermatophilosis, a disease which can kill young lambs, affect wool quality, make shearing difficult and make sheep susceptible to fly strike.

One misconception is perpetuated by the incorrect use of the name mycotic dermatitis, which implies that a fungus causes the disease. This is not so.

The disease is caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis, which attacks the sheep's skin and eventually forms a lesion or scab in the wool, and so is better called dermatophilosis, 'dermo' or 'lumpy wool'.

Veterinary Epidemiologist at the Albany Regional Office, J.R. Edwards, discusses …

New Developments In Footrot Control, R B. Richards, L. J. Depiazzi, R. V. R. Gwynn

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

The eradication policy for footrot in sheep adopted by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture has produced an overall decline in the number of properties with the disease.

Our knowledge of the disease has improved substantially as a result of the research conducted at the Slabany Regional Veterinary Laboratory in recent years. Laboratory tests now sssist stock inspectors and veterinary officers to distinguish between different forms of footrot and to quarantine and eradicate accordingly.

The recent discovery of more effective foot-bathing solutions by officers of the Victorian Department of Agriculture will greatly assist further eradication procedures.

Western Australia's sheep industry …

Lumpy Wool May Increase By Dipping : Research Roundup, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Lumpy wool, or mycotic dermatitis, is an infectious disease on the skin of the sheep caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus conglensis. The organism invades the wool and hair follicles, causing formation of skin lesions producing scabby material which binds the wool fibres into a hard mass.

Research shows that 'dipping' may increase the incidence of lumpy wool with some chemicals a greater risk than others.

Root Rot Of Subterranean Clover In W.A, G C. Macnish, M. J. Barbetti, D. Gillespie, K. Hawley

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

Root rot of subterranean clover has occurred sporadically in the south west of Western Australia for a number of years.

In most seasons the disease has affected the clover paddocks of only a few farms, but in 1973 there was widespread pasture decline due to root rot in the South-West and south coastal districts.

At present the most promising approaches for minimising the effect of root rot appear to be the use of cultivation techniques and eventually the use of resistant varieties, or other pasture species.

Lupinosis, M R. Gardiner

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

In spite of many years of intensive investigation lupinosis remains a remarkably complex and baffling problem. Current research is throwing new light on the disease and it is now much better understood— although far from beaten.

Lupinosis research is co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture's Lupinosis Committee, on which are represented all groups working on the disease. These include veterinary surgeons and pathologists, chemists, plant pathologists and animal husbandry specialists.

Chairman of the Committee is Dr M. R. Gardiner, Chief of the Department's Animal Division and a veteran of lupinosis research.

In this article Dr Gardiner summarises the current state …

Phomopsis : The Causal Fungus Of Lupinosis, P Mcr Wood, A. G. P. Brown

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

It is now well known that lupinosis of sheep and cattle follows ingestion of lupin stubble colonised by the fungus Phomopsis rossiana. The fungus infects green lupins but persists on the stubble and under certain conditions apparently produces a toxin which causes the disease.

As Phomopsis is now widespread on lupins in Western Australia its ecology has been studied in detail as a basis for possible control measures.

This article outlines what is known so far of the disease and its control.

New Laboratory For Virus Disease Studies, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Exotic diseases continually pose a threat to Australia's animal industries and the consequences of major outbreak could be disastrous.

If an outbreak should occur, it is essential that clinical diagnosis is confirmed without delay for control measures to be effective.

The completion of the new Virology Laboratory provides a building in which most exotic viral diseases could be handled with safety for diagnostic purposes in the event of an outbreak.

Sturt Pea Hosts Collar Rot Fungus, M D. Marcley

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

Evidence that Western Australia's Sturt Pea can be attacked by collar rot fungus suggests a reason for the occurrence of collar rot in places where the fungus should not survive.

At Carnarvon for instance, in spite of the hot, dry conditions, the collar rot fungus has been found on eggplants and Tuart trees.

Emergency Chlorination Of Farm Water Supplies, H C. Hughes

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

TOWARDS the end of summer (and especially in a drought) the risk of water in dams, soaks, wells or tanks becoming polluted is increased.

Bore water is much less likely to be affected unless the bore is poorly sited near a farm building, such as a shearing or milking shed, a pig pen, or a septic tank system.

Can Mastitis Be Eliminated?, F C. Wilkinson

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

Can mastitis be eliminated from a dairy herd? The results of a 12-month continuous study of four commercial herds show that it could be done.

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus In Western Australia, W A. Shipton

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

BARLEY yellow dwarf virus disease was first positively identified in Western Australia in 1961.

Records indicate that symptoms approximating those later found to be caused by this disease were reported as early as 1936.

Swine Fever And African Swine Fever, V W. Smith

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

PIGS may become infected by viruses which also cause disease in other animals (for instance foot-and-mouth disease) but there are two virus diseases worthy of special mention because they cause clinical disease in pigs only.

Pressurised Soil Fumigation Equipment For Control Of Eelworm, C W. Robartson

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

THE treatment of soil infested with eelworms involves the use of chemical fumigants usually in the form of volatile liquids.

This article gives details for the construction of a simple pressurised fumigator which could be easily made by most orchardists, vignerons and market gardeners.

The House Fly, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

MANY insects are so commonly associated with man and his dwellings that they may almost be called domesticated.

In olden days the presence of these insects was accepted as a matter of course, but present knowledge shows that many of them can be important disease carriers while others may cause damage to food and clothing.

Legume Inoculants For 1967, W A. Shipton

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

PERIODIC changes are made in the strains of rhizobia released for the inoculation of various legume groups.

These changes are made when it is evident from experimental data that better strains of rhizobia are available, or that the old ones are no longer effective.

New strains of rhizobia may give improved nodulation of legume seedlings or increase dry matter yields.

Inoculation And Pelleting Of Lupin And Serradella Seed, W A. Shipton, C. A. Parker

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

LUPINS AND SERRADELLA are not as extensively grown in Western Australia as some other legumes, but they are useful pasture species, particularly on poorer sandy soils.

Virgin soils may contain rhizobial bacteria capable of nodulating some members of the lupin group, but none of these bacteria have been found to nodulate serradella (Lange, 1961).

The use of inoculated seed is imperative except where lupins have been grown before.

Plant Diseases : Angular Leaf Spot Of Cucurbits, O M. Goss

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

ANGULAR leaf spot caused by the bactterium Pseudomonas lachrymans (E.F.Sm. & Bryan) Carsner, is common on cucumbers and gherkins grown late in the season.

The same disease has been recorded on rockmelons, watermelons and pumpkins but rarely occurs on these hosts in Western Australia.

Variations In Cream Tests, J F. Brennan

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

DURING the year dairy farmers are often concerned about variations in the butterfat test of cream they supply to the butter factory.

Why do these tests vary? Is the variation the fault of the farmer or the butter factory?

Back Flushing On Milking Machine Teat Cups, G W R Scott, K. Needham

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

THE possibility of replacing the dipping of teat cups between cows with a system of back flushing with water has been investigated for some time by different workers.

Chemical Sterilisers In The Dairy Industry, D N. Tulloch, N. Ingleton

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

There is concern in the cheese industry that residues from new chemical sterilisers used by dairy farmers could affect cheese making processes.

The sterilisers could also affect tests for antibiotic residues in milk. The responsibility of seeing that chemical sterilisers do not enter the milk belongs to the dairy farmers.

They should follow the manufacturers' recommendations and use the chemicals with care.

Pullorum Tested Poultry Flocks : 1962, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THIS year's pullorum tests of poultry flocks have revealed the lowest incidence of reactors since the tests began.

Results are recorded below.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 3. Microbiological Problems In The Establishment Of Legumes On Light Lands, C A. Parker

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

EXPERIENCE has shown that the establishment of leguminous pastures is essential for successful economic development of Western Australian light lands.

Subterranean clover is the preferred legume in most light land areas, with lupins holding an important place in the more northerly districts, and on the deeper sands.

Mycotic Dermatitis (Lumpy Wool) And Fleece Rot Of Sheep, J Shilkin

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

Matted and sometimes discoloured specimens of wool are often received at the Department of Agriculture during seasons of heavy rainfall.

Two similar but quite distinct diseases are recognised as having caused this condition.

They are mycotic dermatitis (lumpy wool) and fleece rot. Both conditions damage the fleece and render affected sheep susceptible to blowfly strike.

Detergents For The Dairy Farm, H Maslin

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

CLEANLINESS in both the physical and bacteriological sense is essential to the production of high quality dairy products, and high quality in these products is essential to both the health of the community and the successful and economic operation of the industry.

Detergents have an important place in maintaining dairy hygiene—but they must be properly used if they are to be really effective.

In this article Dairy Instructor H. Maslin, M.D.D., describes the qualities of a good dairy detergent and explains how it should be fitted into the regular cleaning routine.

Sclerotinia Rot Of Vegetables, S C. Chambers, M. Hardie

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

SCLEROTINIA ROT, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is now one of the most serious vegetable diseases in metropolitan market gardens.

Over the past decade it has been steadily increasing in prevalence and if present trends continue, many growers may be forced to abandon certain crops.

Although most vegetables are susceptible, the greatest losses are occurring in the autumn planting of beans, cauliflowers and lettuce and in the production of cauliflower seed.

Is Your Water Supply Safe?, D C. Mickle

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

THERE can be no doubt in anyone's mind that the need for a clean, safe and adequate water supply is essential for the production of high quality milk and cream.

It naturally follows, that, even though every possible care has been taken in an endeavour to produce clean, germ-free milk and cream, contamination by bad water can render these efforts void.

Cleansers For The Milking Machine, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WITH the opening of the flush season dairy farmers should make sure milking machines are working at maximum efficiency.

Machines not working efficiently can cause production losses and damage to cows as well as wasting farmers' time.