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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.