Life Sciences Commons^™

Feral Camel, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

No abstract provided.

Feral Donkey, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Donkeys (Equus asinus) were first imported in substantial numbers to Australia in 1866 by Sir Thomas Elder. They were used as pack and draught animals in outlying areas of Western Australia (WA) until the 1930s. They were eventually replaced by the motor vehicle, and unwanted donkeys were released to the wild, where they became feral. The first record of feral donkeys is from the Kimberley in the early 1930s, but it is possible they became feral much earlier.

Blackbird, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The introduced common blackbird (Turdus merula) is a pest in eastern Australia. It damages commercial fruit crops and may compete with native birds. The species is prohibited in Western Australia and individuals found here are destroyed.

The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories to which it has been assigned in Western Australia (WA). For more information, see our website at dpird.wa.gov.au.

Feral Goat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The goat (Capra hircus) was one of the first animals to be domesticated, 8 to 10 thousand years ago. Archaeological work indicates the earliest attempts at domestication were in dry hills surrounding the Mediterranean basin. The ability of goats to utilise the coarse browse of mountainous areas made them suitable for domestication, in preference to sheep. With large-scale domestication of goats throughout the world, goats escaped and established feral goat herds on most continents. Overgrazing by goats has caused severe environmental damage, worldwide.

Goats arrived in Australia with the first fleet. They were introduced to many areas by early settlers …

Rabbit Control: 1080 Versus Pindone, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

There are two toxins available for controlling pest rabbits in Western Australia: 1080 and pindone. This factsheet provides a brief summary of the main characteristics of both vertebrate pesticides. 1080 is generally the preferred toxin for rabbit control in Western Australia (WA).

Any attempt to reduce the impact of rabbits on the productivity of any agricultural enterprise (for example, pasture, crops, tree farms, horticulture) should be undertaken as part of a pest management plan.

This strategy should be proactive rather than reactive to a problem. It should also include a long term strategy for dealing with potential rabbit damage, including …

On The Line And Online: Higher Non-Response To Web-Based Surveys Over-Represents Avid Recreational Fishers Compared With Telephone Surveys, Karina L. Ryan, Steve Taylor, Jeremy M. Lyle, Kate Stark, Sean R. Tracey

Fisheries Research Articles

Recreational fishing surveys have an important role in providing data to inform fisheries management. The selection of a contact method is an important and often challenging consideration that influences the potential for non-sampling errors that can result in unrepresentative data and biased estimates. Telephones are used for many off-site recreational fishing surveys, but widespread use of digital technology suggests that online surveys could be a viable alternative. We compared phone surveys with alternative online surveys using probability sampling from a licence database. Response rates were lower for online surveys (13%–26%) than phone surveys (97%–98%). The proportion of respondents who reported …

Three-Horned Bedstraw, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Three-horned bedstraw (Galium tricornutum), otherwise known as bedstraw, rough bedstraw, rough fruit corn bedstraw, and corn cleavers, is an annual weed that poses a significant threat to Western Australia’s grains industry. It is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). A weedy member of the Rubiaceae (madder family), it is closely related to cleavers (Galium aparine)

Bedstraw is a high priority eradication target for Western Australia.

Red Fox, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

This factsheet provides information on the red fox in Western Australia (WA).

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native of the northern hemisphere where it occurs throughout most of Europe, Asia, North America, and the northern coast of Africa. The red fox was first introduced to Australia (Victoria) from Britain as early as 1845 for hunting with foxhounds. Having become successfully established in Victoria by about 1870, it colonised most of mainland Australia over the next 70 years. Foxes are not found in the most northern regions of Australia, including northwest Kimberley.

In WA, the fox is a declared …

Rabbit Control: Fumigation, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

Fumigation for rabbit control involves the introduction of poisonous gas into a warren. It is one of the best control methods to use where low numbers of rabbits live in a few widely scattered warrens. The threat to non-target animals is minimal. This factsheet should be read in conjunction with registered product labels and directions for use. Check the Department of Health, Western Australia website (health.wa.gov.au) for public health requirements for the use of phosphine fumigation.

Fumigation may be used in areas where access is limited, such as fence lines, around trees, and on riverbanks, but it may be difficult …

Assess Weed Population Density, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The most accurate way to estimate the weed population of a paddock is to count the number of plants in an area of known size at numerous locations.

Use a quadrant, which may be square or circular, to carry out weed plant counts. The number and location of counts needed to estimate the weed population will vary depending on the distribution pattern.

Canola – Essentials For Growing A Successful Crop, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Ensuring the basics of canola agronomy are followed can minimise the financial risk of growing canola, which can be higher than other crops due to high input costs, particularly seed and fertiliser.

Barley Leaf Diseases And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Barley leaf diseases such as scald, net blotches (net form and spot form), powdery mildew, ramularia leaf spot, leaf rust, and barley yellow dwarf virus, and cereal yellow dwarf virus can reduce yield and grain quality. Correct identification is important in disease management, as diseases differ in their best management strategies.

Hay Production, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

There are specific requirements for hay for the export market that are different to usual on-farm requirements. These include earlier cutting times, green hay colour, low moisture content, freedom from weeds, and thin-strawed varieties.

Some oat varieties do not meet the exporter’s standard and therefore will not be accepted for delivery. Growers interested in the export market should check with individual exporters for their requirements.

Variety information can be found in the department’s current Western Australian crop sowing guide, available on the website at dpird.wa.gov.au.

Insect Pests And Their Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Field pests

Damage from invertebrate pests is generally not a major factor for oat crops, however there is a zero tolerance to live pests in export hay.

Significant damage can occur if pest populations build up. Planning rotations to minimise pest carryover, timely sowing, adequate crop nutrition, and good control of weed and root diseases will assist in reducing the likelihood of crop damage by insect pests. Check crops regularly throughout their growth for field insects.

• Control redlegged earth mite and lucerne flea during the seedling stage if necessary.

• Aphids should be checked for and controlled from flag …

Factors Affecting Herbicide Performance, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Herbicide performance can vary greatly depending on factors including compatibility of herbicides, water quality, sprayer decontamination, and controlling stressed weeds. This page outlines these issues and demonstrates how to assess herbicide performance to achieve the best from your herbicides.

Incorporation Of Undissolved Lime From Previous Applications Can Ameliorate Subsoil Acidity Promptly And Improve Crop Performance On Sandy Soils Of The Semi-Arid Regions Of Western Australia, Gaus Azam, Md. Shahinur Rahman

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Background and aims

Repeated surface application of lime for managing subsoil acidity is slow and ineffective, resulting in an accumulation of undissolved lime (carbonate) in the topsoil. We investigated the impact of the incorporation of undissolved lime into the subsoil to improve acidity and crop performance.

Methods

The undissolved lime in 2-cm layers of topsoil (0–10 cm) from three long-term experiments in Western Australia was measured. Both limed and unlimed topsoil with the acidic subsoil of the same profile was incubated at eight incorporation rates for six weeks, followed by growing barley and wheat in the incubated soil for two …

Low-Emission Beef Production In The Southern Rangelands Of Western Australia: An Analysis Of Herd Structure And Stocking Rate Experiencing Droughts, Christophe D'Abbadie

Animal production and livestock research articles

Reconciling profitable cattle production with rangeland health and reduced emissions is a key challenge in the southern rangelands of Western Australia (WA). Stocking rate and herd structure selection are crucial decisions to achieve this balance. This study assessed the emission profiles of three contrasting herd structures (weaner production, live export, and slaughter production), and three stocking rates within a herd–carbon accounting modelling framework. The analysis considers the impact of varying drought frequencies on these cattle production systems. Herd models were developed for the semiarid southern WA rangelands. Stocking rates were set at 100%, 80% and 66% of the government recommended …

An Assessment Of Dingo Ancestry In Camp Dogs In Western Australia, Tracey L. Kreplins, Danielle Stephens, N Laing, C Oskam

Biosecurity Research Articles

Hybridisation between Australian dingoes and domestic dogs is a controversial area of interest and research. An ongoing canine sterilisation programme in rural and remote Western Australia provided an opportunity to assess the dingo ancestry of camp dogs and opportunities for hybridisation. Blood samples were collected from 345 individual community dogs at 21 locations. Dogs were screened using 23 microsatellite loci and ancestry percentage assigned using an iterative Bayesian assignment algorithm. A single individual was a dingo, 96% were domestic dogs and 3.5% were hybrids. Camp dog and dingo hybridisation in these areas is of little concern in terms of conserving …

Density-Dependence Inside A Marine Protected Area Increases Natural Mortality And Stunts The Growth Of A Spiny Lobster, Emma-Jade Tuffley, Simon De Lestang

Fisheries Research Articles

Sustainable fisheries management often requires the modelling of stocks under unfished conditions, when the influence of population densities on animal growth and mortality can be substantial. This can be especially true for species such as spiny rock lobster, which are very habitat specific. Using western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) tag-recapture data from adjacent and similar fished and unfished areas, the key life history parameters of natural mortality and growth were examined and compared under different population density scenarios. In an area representative of virgin biomass levels, lobsters exhibited reduced growth rates and a substantially higher rate of natural mortality …

Postharvest Blown-Arc Plasma Treatment Did Not Reduce Fusarium Graminearum Or Its Mycotoxins In Field-Infested Wheat Grain, Maninder Kaur, M Kowalczyk, Daniel Huberli, Kirsty L. Bayliss

Biosecurity Research Articles

The increasing prevalence of Fusarium graminearum, a major causative pathogen of Fusarium head blight in cereal crops, leads to contamination of grain with mycotoxins, which necessitates the development of effective management strategies. This study investigated whether postharvest Blown-Arc plasma treatment could reduce F. graminearum and associated mycotoxins in field-infested grain. Postharvest Blown-Arc plasma treatment for 60 or 180 s was trialled to reduce Fusarium graminearum and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins in field-infested wheat grain. Changes in fungal components of the grain microbiome following the treatment were assessed using metabarcoding analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer gene region, …

Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource Recovery Plan 2023- 2043 (Phase 1), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource (PDSR) includes over 60 demersal scalefish species. The resource is accessed by the Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery, Pilbara Fish Trawl (Interim) Managed Fishery, and the Pilbara Line Fishery (PTMF, PFTIMF & PLF respectively) as well as the recreational and charter fisheries.

The PDSR is managed in accordance with the North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy (Harvest Strategy). The sustainability objectives of the PDSR are set out in the Harvest Strategy and monitored via the use of an indicator species approach, whereby the status of key species is considered representative of the status of the …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Australian Sea Cucumber Resource, Kimberley A. Smith, Cameron Desfosses, Dave Murphy, Amie Steele, Lachlan W. Strain

Fisheries Research Reports

In April 2024, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Western Australian Sea Cucumber Resource, which comprises a range of species from the class Holothuroidea. This document contains background information used to support the ERA risk scoring process, along with the scores from the workshop and a summary of the workshop discussions that were relevant to the scoring. This includes an overview of commercial fisheries that access the Resource, focusing primarily on the WA Sea Cucumber Fishery, and one fishing authorisation issued under the Aboriginal Community …

Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus And Its Management In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is an aphid-transmitted virus that commonly causes necrotic symptoms that kills lupin plants when infected early before pod set. When plants are infected after pod set, black pods develop (known as black pod syndrome).

BYMV is found predominantly in high rainfall areas of the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt. This page outlines the symptoms, diagnosis, factors favouring disease risk and spread, yield and quality impacts, and management for BYMV in lupin crops in WA

Cucumber Mosaic Virus And Its Management In Narrow Leafed Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a seed- and aphid-borne virus that infects narrow-leafed lupins. Western Australian (WA) grainbelt regions most at risk are the high rainfall zones of the northern and central agricultural region and the south coastal region.

The principal infection source for lupin crops is sowing infected lupin seed.

Frost Tools And Support, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

The department plays a major role in addressing the impact of frost on Western Australian (WA) growers through a combination of on-farm research and development activities, and online tools and advice.

We lead the management program of the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) National Frost Initiative, which is an integrated program that addresses genetic, management and environmental approaches to mitigate the effects of frost.

The objective is to provide the Australian grains industry with targeted research, development, and extension solutions to manage the impact of frost and minimise seasonal profit variability.

Ascochyta Blight Disease And Its Management In Faba Beans, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

This factsheet summarises the symptoms, disease risk, infection cycle and control measures for Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae) in faba bean compared to the diseases, Alternaria and Cercospora.

Blackleg And Its Management In Canola, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Blackleg, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, is the most common and serious disease of canola in Western Australia (WA). Blackleg can cause significant damage by infecting the cotyledons or first leaves early in the season, leading ultimately to crown lesions or cankers later in the season.

Changes in variety choice, crop rotation, earlier sowing times, and stubble retention have extended the risk of blackleg disease. Because of early emergence, later stages of crop growth are more likely to be exposed and infection can occur on all parts of the plant above ground, including canola flowers, stems, and branches (this …

Root Lesion And Burrowing Nematodes And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Nematodes are common soil pests that feed on the roots of a wide range of crops in all agricultural areas of Western Australia, resulting in significant crop yield loss. Root lesion nematode can be managed but not eradicated.

This factsheet summarises the biology of the root lesion nematode (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) and burrowing nematode (Radopholus spp.) species that damage Western Australian (WA) crops, and their diagnosis and management.

Lupins – Essentials For Growing A Successful Crop, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Narrow leafed lupins are a grain legume crop for the deep sandy acidic soils of Western Australia. Growing a successful lupin crop is not technically difficult. New varieties and machinery are making lupins a more reliable and profitable cropping option.

Roly Poly And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Roly poly, also known as prickly saltwort or tumbleweed (Salsola australis), is a native species found throughout Australia. The dead plants can break off at ground level, forming the ‘tumbleweeds’ seen in movies.

Like most summer weeds, roly poly uses soil moisture and nutrients that would otherwise be available to the following crop. The time taken to clear uncontrolled plants can delay seeding.

Livestock will graze the young plants; however, they will not eat the mature plants and are injured by the prickly leaves.