Life Sciences Commons^™

The Potential For Avocados In Western Australia, Michael Gregory Hawson

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

"The flesh of the ripe fruit is ivory yellow, framed in a surround of exquisite green"

There is only one fruit to which this comment can apply and that is the avocado.

While now regarded as a luxury, avocados have met ready demand on major markets indicating that limited expansion of avocado growing in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australiacouldmprovide quite profitable returns.

Soil And Plant Analysis : A Guide To Fertilizer Usage, Walter Jacob Cox

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

Soil and plant analysis can be used to identify problems in soils, diagnose nutrient deficiencies and as a guide to fertiliser usage.

Soil testing is particularily useful where large amounts of phosphorus and potassium are leached or removed from the paddock in hay or silage.

Actual rates of fertiliser can only be recommended from soil testing and only in conjunction with additional biological and economic information.

Producing 20-Month Old Beef Steers Off Annual Pasture, K D. Greathead, D. J. Barker, W. J. Ryan

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

A recent Mt Barker experiment compared two systems of fodder conservation with continuous grazing, using two types of steers, at three stocking rates. Year-round performance, carcass composition, and resulting costs and returns per hectare were assessed.

Production per hectare was greatest from crossbred steers at the intermediate stocking rate with either type of fodder conservation.

New Header Treatment Aids Weevil Control, J H. Moulden

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

A new insecticide formulation supplied in high pressure cylinders simplifies weevil control in headers.

Tincurrin : A New Biscuit Wheat, J T. Reeves, H. M. Fisher, G. B. Crosbie

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

Although a demand has existed both locally and overseas for soft wheat suitable for biscuits, cakes and various confectioneries, production has been very limited.

In 1978 farmers in the soft wheat area will be able to grow the higher yielding variety Tincurrin.

It is recommended for general sowing to replace all varieties grown at present in the soft wheat areas as defined.Exceptions may prevail in areas prone to rust snd septoria problems.

Rejections Of Sheep And Lamb Carcasses Are Costly, R H. Wroth, R. J. Suiter

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

A 1976 survey of more than 48 000 sheep and 25 000 lambs slaughtered at two of Western Australia's export abattoirs has indicated a high rejection rate for W.A. carcasses. Rejections may be for disfiguring, blemishes requiring trimming or for diseases which can lead to condemnation.

Savings that producers can make by simple management changes, could thus save the industry $3.12 million a year. Reduction in other causes of rejection or further reduction in some of those mentioned id feasible but requires more research and may be more difficult to achieve.

Stonefruits Have A Future, Geoffrey L. Godley

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

Over the 10 year period from 1966/67 to 1975/76, stonefruit production has not greatly expanded. The area planted has declined and the number of young, non-bearing trees also has declined.

Trends in the price ofsdtonefriut for the past decsde have revealed no real improvement on local or export markets but it is unlikely that these trends will continue. While costs will continue to rise, profitability of stonefruit is likely to be helped by cost saving techniques. Mechanical equipment changes and changes to management techniques will mean reduced management costs.

Potassium Deficiency In Lupins : Identification, Rates, Times And Method Of Application, Walter Jacob Cox

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

Large areas of sandplain soils north of Perth are low in potassium levels, and responses to applied potassium have been large for both sub. clover and grain lupins.

This article indicates where potassium might be needed, and how to diagnose and overcome deficiencies in lupins.

The Autumn Feed Problem In Beef Cattle Management, D J. Barker, P. J. May

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

In south-western Australia all grazing stock face a period of 'inadequate' nutrition each autumn.

The Department of Agriculture's beef production research programme has for some years sought solutions to this problem, and the results from the programme have been used to develop strategies for achieving satisfactory production levels at least cost during autumn.

This article discusses the resulting techniques, and the research on which they are based.

Farm Syndication Has Advantages, G T. Kennedy

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

Sharing of single items of plant between farmers is common in Australian Agriculture but it is quite rare for farmers to amalgamate their holdings and farm them as a single unit.

This article looks at the advantages of syndicate farming. It is based on a study of four whole farm syndicates in the Wimmera of Victoria.

Wesreo : A Blackleg Resistant Rapeseed, N N. Roy

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

A new rapeseed variety, Wesreo, has recently been released after an unusually rapid and successful breeding programme by the Department of Agriculture.

Wesreo has fairly good resistance to the disease blackleg, which virtually halted the expanding rapeseed industry in 1973.

Trials Indicate Best Lupin Seeding Rates, G H. Walton

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

Trials on the seeding rate of lupins have shown that for most crops, at least 80kg of seed per hectare gives best yields. However the yields varied considerably, and in higher yielding situations, lower seeding rates were better.

Apple Orchards To Take A New Look, J E L Cripps

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

Results of experiments by the Department of agriculture could completely change the appearance of the apple orchard in the next decade.

The normal orchard scene will become hedgerows of chemically-thinned, irrigated, red varieties on dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks receiving just the right amount of fertiliser, and areas between rows will be mown, or sprayed with herbicide. The clean cultivated, square-planted, vase-shaped tree will slowly disappear.

Crutching Cradles Can Work Well, N M. Marney, R. A. Mills

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

Crutching cradles allow successful do-it-yourself crutching if a continuous flow of sheep can be maintained. This article describes some units available and discusses costs.

Progress In Clover Scorch Research, A Bokor, D. L. Chatel, D. A. Nicholas

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

Considerable progress has been made with the clover scorch problem since the devastation of the 971 epidemic when intensive research began.

Over 2000 varieties and crossbreds of subterranean clover from various collections have been screened for resistance resulting in the release of the first resistant clover, Esperance, this year.

Benefits of fungicidal spraying have been demonstrated and low cost spraying programmes for grazed pastures, and seed and hay crops are under field investigation.

Seed Kikuyu Performs Well, K E. Hawley

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

The kikuya variety, Whittet, which can be established from seed has performed well in a trial at Denmark.

Buying Veterinary Products : Read The Label First, G A L Ward

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

Chenicals for animal health, and processed feeds must be registered and labelled.

Registration is intended to insure that products are effective for the purpose they are sold, and safe when used according to instructions.

It is important to read the lable to understand the correct use of the product.

How Efficient Are Seeding Operations : Kondinin Work Study, E J. Roberts, C. R. Lester, J. E. Young

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

The efficiency of machinery and labour during seeding operations was studied in 1977 by the Kondinin and Districts Farm Improvement Group and the Department of Agriculture. The aim was to find what influenced efficiency during cropping.

Time spent on activities during the working day was measured, and it was found that repairs, maintenance, meals and other incidental jobs considerably reduced the time spent driving the tractor.

Each farmer participating in the study was given the results of his own farm compared to the group, indicating tasks most needing improvement.

Low Cost Fencing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Fences with more wire and posts are not necessarily stronger.

Design using high tensile wire can save on materials and reduce costs.

Five New Clovers Bring Change In Pasture Recommendations, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The release of five new subterranean clovers should improve pastures throughout farming areas.

This article summarises the new recommendations.

Controlling Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, C H. Trotman

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

Eight years of intensive work has changed annual ryegrass toxicity from an unknown killer to a manageable problem.

New Policy Hits Hard At Sheep Lice, F C. Wilkinson

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

In March 1977 the regulation requiring compulsory routine dipping of all sheep within 30 days of shearing changed, and only infested flocks were required to be dipped. This change has allowed concentrated eradication efforts.

Some Basic Facts About Primary Blowflies, N Monzu

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

Research has begun on blowfly species attacking sheep in Western Australia. Already this research has indicated the importance of a species in Western Australia which is not a problem in the Eastern States.

Future management of sheep flocks to minimise fly strike may require recognition of the differences between blowfly species. This article gives a description of the primary species - those which can initiate strikes.

Pigs May Need More Protein, N W. Godfrey

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

Results of trials indicate that meatmeal based rations of 18 to 20 per cent protein may improve carcase quality and give better returns.

Profitability Of Finishing Cattle On Grain : Recent Research Results, W J. Ryan

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

Some thoughts on how to finish beef cattle in time for the autumn-winter period.

Super And Stocking Rates At Kojonup After 10 Years, J W. Bowden, B. Scurr, R. Glencross, K. Longbottom

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

A Department of Agriculture trial on old land at Kojonup has been comparing rates of superphosphate and stocking of sheep for 10 years.

Plants As Pumps, E A N Greenwood

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

Native species vary greatly in their ability to pump ground water.

CSIRO studies are measuring water use by different plants to plan revegetation strategies.