Life Sciences Commons^™

Modifying Fertiliser Practices, J S. Yeates, D. M. Deeley, M. F. Clarke, D. Allen

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

If modified fertiliser practices are adopted phosphorus losses from the Peel-Harvey catchment can be reduced. Farmers can save money on fertiliser applications and the need for more expensive catchment management measures to reduce algal pollution of the estuary will be avoided.

Research data available so far indicate that, with farmer co-operation and the use of the new slow release fertiliser New Coastal Superphosphate, long-term phosphorus application rates can be reduced by 30-40 per cent - and possibly even halved - without lowering agricultural production. This will also reduce phosphorus loss to drainage water.

Although much of the research since 1982 …

The Use Of Buffer Zones In Dingo Control, P C. Thomson

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

The aim of dingo control is to protect livestock, not to eliminate dingos from Australia's vast ininhabited areas. However, with labour costs rising, dingo control must become more cost effective.

In this article, P.C. Thomson discusses the "buffer zone" control strategy which involves removing dingos from a strip of country adjacent to stocked land.

Although variations of this strategy have existed for some time, detailed knowledge of dingo behaviour and movement patterns was required to ensure that the concept was soundly based. Much of this information came from a long-term study of dingos carried out in unstocked country and adjacent …

Bush Flies : Where They All Come From, J N. Matthiessen

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

The bush fly is a native Australian insect which breeds in dung and has its reproductive opportunities greatly expanded by the introduction of cattle into the country.

In the agricultural region of south-western Australia bush flies appear in large numbers in spring and early summer. The occurrence of such massive numbers then can be traced back to short periods of very successful breeding that begin in the cool early weeks of spring when flies are hardly noticeable.

The Grazing Value Of Saltbushes, A J. Clarke

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

Many Western Australian/armers have obtained useful grazing from their salt/and in the past, both from natural stands of salt tolerant plants and from areas planted to a variety of introduced salt tolerant plants. The benefits provided by such grazing have been hard to assess because no quantitative figures were available. However, grazing trials now in progress are showing that salt tolerant shrubs can carry similar stocking rates to clover-based pastures in the same districts. About 500,000 hectares of Western Australian wheatbelt land has always been saline, and has supported various useful native salt-tolerant plants. Other land that has become saline …

Blackleg : A Confusing Potato Disease, K Sivasithamparam

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

A disease which causes potato stems to become blackened, soft and rotten has been named 'blackleg' for obvious reasons. It has caused concern among Western Australia's potato growers when outbreaks have appeared in commercial crops. Yet the organisms responsible for these disease symptoms are nothing new andfearsome. In/act they probably have been in this State since vegetables were introduced by the first settlers. The disease has been a headache to research workers seeking to isolate a single organism responsible for such stem rot. The blackleg disease, since its early recognition, has been split into 'typical' and 'atypical' forms. Also, there …

Nitrogen Fertilisers And Grain Protein, M G. Mason

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

No abstract provided.

Seasons Can Affect Growing Pigs, W D. Sharp

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

No abstract provided.

Beating Soursob, J R. Peirce

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

No abstract provided.

Milling Wheat For Northern Areas, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Miling - a new hard wheat variety for the north central medium and high rainfall areas including the Midlands region.

Another Variety For Northern Areas : Illyarrie Lupin, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture has released another new lupin variety for the northern agricultureal areas. It is a sweet narrow-leafed lupin named Illyarrie.

Ryegrass Toxicity Organism Found On Other Grasses, D L. Chatel, J. L. Wise, A. G. Marfleet

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

Yellow slime disease caused by Corynebacterium sp. has recently been found in three grass species.

The diseased grasses were found in the field growing with each other and with affected toxic annual ryegrass.

Perennial Pasture Measures Up, D A. Nicholas

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

In a trial at Manjimup, a pasture based on the perennial grass, Currie cocksfoot, gave substantially more production than a comparable annual pasture.

Breeding A Barley Resistant To Leaf Disease, T N. Khan, P. A. Portmann

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

In the last few years the Department of Agriculture has begun a programme to produce brley varieties resistant to the leaf diseases, scald and net blotch. These diseases cause substantial losses that may not be apparent to an individual farmer.

More Lambs By Mating Weaners, R J. Suiter

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

Farmers can increase sheep numbers by mating ewe weaners. Trials have shoen that this does not affect the later performance of these ewes.

Diagnosing Pregnancy In Sheep : The 'Scanopreg', R H. Wroth, M. J. Mccallum

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

The "Scanopreg", an ultrasonic machine for diagnosing pregnancy in sheep, is effective as early as eight to nine weeks of pregnancy, and could therefore be a useful management tool.

Managing Water-Repellent Soils, D A. Mcghie

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

A study of water-repellent soils has led to some management recommendations.

Halo Blight Of Barley Confirmed In Western Australia, T N. Khan

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

Halo blight on barley has been confirmed in Western Australia for the first time.

What is it and how will it affect barley production in the future?

A New Tissue Test For Accurate Diagnosis Of Copper Deficiency In Cereals, J W. Gartrell, A. D. Robson, J. F. Loneragan

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

Copper deficiency in ceereals can now be accurately diagnosed using tissue analysis.

The Place For Annual Brome Grass, G W. Anderson

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

Grasses in the anual pastures of southern Australia are particularly important early in the growing season.

The main grass sown, has been annual rygrass, but concerns are emerging with 'annual ryegrass toxicity' and and 'in crop' competition.

This work looks at the role of annual brome grass in pastures.

Crop Varieties For 1979, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

New crop varieties recommended for 1979 include two wheats, Tincurrin and Warimba, Moore oats and blackleg resistant Westro rapeseed.

Bitter Pit Control Could Save Export Granny Smiths, S E. Hardisty

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

Western Australian exports of Granny Smith apples are threatened by the incidence of bitter pit. Fortunately treatments which can control this storage disorder, have become available.

Lupinosis : A Disease Still With Us, Jeremy G. Allen, P. Mcr. Wood, K. P. Crocker, J. Hamblin

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

Current research on lupinosis continues to reveal what a complex problem it is, but the improved understanding should help to reduce losses.

Erosion Risks With High Stocking Rates At Kojonup Trial, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A pasture grazing trial at Kojonup dramatically illustrated the effects of Cyclone Alby. Severe erosion was evident on the heavily stocked plots while the more lightly stocked plots showed little damage.

Avondale Research Station : Representing 150 Years Of Western Australian Farming, D A C Johnson

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

Avondale Research Station is open to the public as a 1979 Anniversary Year contribution by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Primary Industries Committee of W.A.Y. 1979

Symptoms And Treatment Of Copper Deficiency Of Wheat, J W. Gartrell, R. F. Brennan, A. D. Robson

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

Copper deficiency in wheat is still common but may not be easily noticed.

Twenty-One Hints For Savings Of Seeding Time, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The efficiency of machinery and labour during seeding operations has been studied by the Kondinin and Districts Farm Improvement Group and the Department of Agriculture.

The following specific hints were suggested.

Testing Bulls For Breeding Soundness, R L. Peet

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

New tests are available to ensure that bulls are fertile.

Getting The Best From Tractor Tyres, J Quealy

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

The amount of pull a tractor develops depends largely on tyre efficiency and so with so many tyre size options for the one tractor model it is very easy to make the wrong decision on tyre fitment.

Tyre efficiency varies with tractor weight, soil conditions, inflation pressure and tyre size.

Hers we look at some of these factors and how changing them may affect efficiency.

Calibration Of Boom Sprays, J R. Peirce

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

Boom sprays have become increasingly common on Western Australian farms, allowing farmers to take advantage of modern herbicided.

Most boom sprays used on farms have 50 cm nozzle spacings and require calibrating regularily to ensure accurate herbicide application.

By following these steps, the boom will deliver accurate amounts of herbicide.

Flystrike In Sheep : Secondary And Tertiary Flies Striking Sheep In Western Australia, N Monzu

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

Unlike primary species of blowflies, the secondary and tertiary species of flies cannot initiate a strike, but their activity in the presence of the primary blowflies becomes significant in the death of struck sheep. This is particularily so when the hairy maggot blowfly is involved. Future management of sheep flocks to minimise deaths may require recognition of these secondary and tirtiary flies.

This article presents some basic facts about these flies.