Life Sciences Commons^™

Honey Flora Calendar For July, R S. Coleman

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

A guide to Flora available to Honey Bees this month.

Weaning And Weaner Management, R J. Lightfoot

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

MOST of Western Australia's Merino flock owners wean their lambs in the months of August, September and October.

Too often this is done indiscriminately to fit in with other operations, or lambs are left on their mothers for long: periods until the ewes are remated.

The Papaw : A Fruit For The Tropics And Sub-Tropics, K S. Cole, M. G. Hawson

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

TOE fruit of the papaw (Carica papaya) has a unique flavour and is a welcome addition to any diet.

In the tropics and sub-tropics the papaw is quite easy to grow and is adapted to a wide range of soils and climate.

Selection Of Dairy Heifers, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE time is approaching on most dairy farms when a decision has to be made on which of the year's crop of heifers are to be retained.

Replacements are needed not only to keep up herd numbers, but also to increase the average production.

This is herd improvement—surely the aim of all dairy farmers.

Urea For Sheep And Cattle On Dry Feed, Laurence C. Snook

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

Urea can be a valuable supplement for ruminants which have to depend on dry feed low in protein.

It is not a substitute for good quality conserved fodder.

Urea is extremely poisonous if eaten in excess and great care must be taken when feeding it to stock.

There are a variety of ways in which urea can be fed and these are outlined in this article.

The Department of Agriculture's Animal Nutrition Laboratory is now carrying out trials to determine the most convenient and safest method.

Urea is most effective as a fertiliser; when used in this way it results …

Internal Decline Of Lemons, O M. Goss

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

LEMONS maturing on the trees during summer sometimes become affected with the condition known as internal decline.

List Of Registered Stock Foods And Stock Licks : 1962-63, H G. Cariss

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

All foods for stock sold in Western Australia are required by the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1955, to be registered annually with the Department of Agriculture.

For the purposes of the Act, "Food for Stock" includes stock licks, which in turn embrace all preparations claimed to supply or primarily intended to supply mineral matter to stock.

A New Economics Research Centre. John Thomson Agricultural Economics Centre At The Institute Of Agriculture, University Of Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A NEW research unit has been established at the University of Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture to study the economic aspects of agricultural problems in Western Australia.

Honey Flora Calendar For February, R S. Coleman

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

A look at some honey plants available in February

The Gascoyne River Catchment Area, W M. Nunn

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

A RECENT Department of Agriculture survey of the Gascoyne River catchment area has indicated that deterioration of plant cover in the area contributes to the severity of floods which regularly damage the town of Carnarvon.

It is hoped that the results of the survey will help efforts to regenerate the catchment area, and reduce the risk of flooding.

Emphasis On Quality At New Beef Export Floor, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

HYGIENE is the keynote at the new beef treatment section of the West Australian Meat Export Works at Robbs Jetty, which was opened recently by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr. C. D. Nalder.

Lambing Trials At Abydos Research Station, H Suijdendorp

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

ABYDOS Research Station is halfway between Port Hedland and Wittenoom Gorge. I t is in country of granitic origin that is largely covered with spinifex (mainly Triodia pungens) and associated species.

The results of a recent lambing trial at Abydos are discussed below:

Fifth Random Sample Laying Test : 1961-62 : Progressive Report To 2nd Sept., 1962 (36 Weeks), Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

FIFTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1961-62

Progressive Report to 2nd September, 1962 (36 weeks)

Ewe Nutrition Before And During Mating, H E. Fels

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

Lambing percentages depend partly on the condition of ewes at mating. If it is practicable, ewes should be allowed to gain condition in the months before mating.

Where this is not practical and ewes are in a store or backward-store condition at mating, flushing should improve their fertility.

Irrigating Dry Season Crops In The Ord Valley : How To Prepare Land For Sowing, D F. Beech

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

THE best way to grow dry season crops of safflower, linseed and rapeseed under irrigation in the Ord Valley is by sowing on to broad flat ridges, separated by small furrows 3 ft. 6 in. apart.

This system of sowing is called the "corrugation" method.

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.

A Review Of The 1961-1962 Silage Competition, H G. Elliott

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

FOR the past five years the Australian Dairy Produce Board Pasture Improvement Committee (W.A.) has sponsored a silage competition in the dairying areas.

Judging is done by the officers of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture and prize money totalling £175 is awarded.

Vibriosis : Major Cause Of Infertility In Our Dairy Herds, J Craig

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

VIBRIOSIS is the main cause of infertility in West Australian dairy herds.

Its main feature is repeated return to service, and it can cause heavy financial losses.

The disease can be eliminated from a herd by the exclusive use of artificial insemination, or by the adoption of a "two herd" system.

Root Diseases In Wheat On Clover Ley : Factors Under Investigation. 1. The Role Of Oats After Ley, S C. Chambers

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

The role of oats in relation to root diseases of wheat was examined at four of the State Wheat Research Stations.

Several recognised pathogenic organisms were isolated in the course of the investigation, the most important being Ophiobolus graminis, which is the cause of "take-all."

Results suggest that one year under oats after clover ley is sufficient to reduce the incidence of take-all, except when seasonal conditions are extremely favourable to the disease.

In areas where take-all is a problem, wheat planted after a first crop of oats can sometimes give a higher yield than a first crop of wheat. …

Some Experiments In Citrus Red Scale Control, G D. Rimes

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

THE red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Masc.) is widely distributed throughout the world but tends to be a serious pest in those countries with semi-arid climates such as California, South Africa, Palestine and Australia.

The home of the pest is probably China, but it has been known in Australia for over 70 years and it was from the continent that it was introduced into North America.

Cobalt : Its Use To Control Wasting Disease, Laurence C. Snook

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

FOR many years it was assumed that in Western Australia cobalt deficient areas were restricted to a coastal fringe which rarely extended more than 20 miles inland.

This has proved a costly false assumption. During recent years cobalt deficiency has been diagnosed over extensive areas of inland country.

Some Factors Affecting The Composition Of Milk, K Needham

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

FOR many years it has been known all over the world that the composition of milk varies. This variation in quality is considered as a serious problem wherever the dairy industry is established.

Marketing Export Grapes, W R. Jamieson

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

IN RECENT years there have been many changes in the buying power and of the availability of fresh fruit on our principal overseas grape market, Singapore.

The market has become highly competitive and trade acceptance today demands that only grapes having a large berry size for the particular variety be exported, and that the grapes arrive in sound condition.

The Coolgardie Honey Flow, R S. Coleman

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

DURING October-November, 1961, a new area for honey was found in the Coolgardie district. Many hundreds of tons of honey were extracted.

This honey had a choice flavour, and was light amber in colour—in fact it was honey of very high export grade.

The Cape Gooseberry, K T. Whitely

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

THE CAPE GOOSEBERRY — which is quite different from the English Gooseberry — is a popular berry fruit which is in good demand on the local market.

Plant Diseases : Armillaria Root Rot Of Fruit Trees, R F. Doepel

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

Armillaria root rot is a fungal disease capable of causing serious damage to both young and established orchards.

Although outbreaks are usually localised, eradication of the fungus and replacement of affected trees can involve the grower in considerable expense. For new plantings, thorough clearing of the land is recommended for preventing losses from this disease.

Registered Stock Foods : 1961-62, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The following list of registered stock foods and stock licks is supplementary to the list published in the November, 1961 issue of the Journal of Agriculture.

Grazing To Control Pasture Composition, R A. Bettenay

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

APART from grazing management, there are a number of means by which the farmer can influence pasture composition.

With the exception of grazing, all of these processes involve recurring costs, so it is important to exert the utmost possible control through the grazing animal.

Trees Of Western Australia. 95. Carne's Blackbutt (Eucalyptus Carnei C.A. Gardn.). 96. Cleland's Blackbutt (Eucalyptus Clelandii Maiden), Charles Austin Gardner

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

Named after the late Walter Mervyn Carne, a former Economic Botanist and Plant pathologist of the Department of Agriculture in Western Australia, this species was discovered at Sandstone by the writer in July, 1927, and subsequently collected in August 1961.

Don't Neglect Those Dry Cows, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WHEN a dairy cow becomes pregnant she is normally milking and has some months to go before being dried off.

It is usual at this stage for dairy farmers to provide the best feed available.