Life Sciences Commons^™

Greener Pastures 6 - Managing Soil Acidity In Dairy Pastures, Mike Bolland, Bill Russell, Martin Staines, Richard Morris, John Lucey, D L. Bennett

Bulletins 4000 -

During 1999-2009, soil testing for pH (in CaCl2) was used to determine lime application for 48 paddocks at the Vasse Research Centre at Busselton, in the south-west of Western Australia (WA).

Paddocks had been grazed intensively by dairy cows and their young stock over a period of 10 years, as part of the Vasse Milk Farmlets and Greener Pastures farming system projects. Pasture consisted of annual ryegrasses with some subterranean clover. Soils in the 48 paddocks were 1-2 m sand to sandy loam over massive clay, known locally as Abba sand.

For many soils in the region, including Abba sands, …

Developing Mechanisms For The Transfer And/Or Adjustment Of Rock Lobster Shares Between Sectors In Western Australia And South Australia Frdc Project No. 2007/050, Chris Reid, Western Australian Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

The purpose of this report has been to investigate potential reallocation mechanisms for the transfer and/or adjustment of catch shares between sectors and the requirements to allow for their implementation, with particular reference to their application in the Western and South Australian rock lobster fisheries. While the report focuses on the commercial and recreational sectors of these fisheries, potentially all non-commercial fishing sectors could be included under a given mechanism in the same manner as that outlined for the recreational sector, subject to the appropriateness of allowing the sector’s allocation to be transferable.

Greener Pastures 7 - A Fresh Look At Nutrient Losses From Intensively Managed Pastures, Don Bennett, Bill Russell, Martin Staines, Richard Morris, Mike Bolland, John Lucey

Bulletins 4000 -

Dairy farmers in Western Australia have a long history of being concerned for the environment in which they live and work, from early involvement with Landcare District Committees through to participating in the various programs run in DairyCatch.

They have planted trees, organised soil testing programs, carried out salinity surveys and, more recently, have signed up for effluent, nutrient and irrigation water management programs. Many of these programs produce benefits both on and off the farm—they can improve the farm environment, increase farm productivity and reduce nutrient losses to surface and ground water. The wider community has supported farmers with …

Horse Alert Wa, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

All other publications

Increasing awareness of emergency horse diseases, their management in Western Australia and practical strategies to minimise the risk of spreading disease. Horse Alert WA has been developed to help participants in the racing, sporting and recreational sectors of the horse industry in Western Australia to prepare for, recognise and respond effectively to an emergency disease that affects horses, such as the equine influenza outbreak in Australia in 2007. This manual provides biosecurity information to minimise the risks of a horse disease establishing and spreading in Western Australia, and guidance on the actions to take if an emergency disease occurs. Some …

Subsurface Compaction A Guide For Wa Farmers And Consultants, Stephen Davies, Alison Lacey

Bulletins 4000 -

For plants to grow in agricultural soils, roots and emerging shoots must be able to force their way through the soil. In soils of high strength, this growth is physically restricted. High strength soils may be due to natural soil characteristics and conditions or develop as a result of agricultural practices and may be in layers or throughout the soil profile.

In agriculture, high strength soils commonly occur as a result of compaction. Compaction of agricultural soils can be in the surface (often caused by stock trampling or rain drop splatter) or in the subsurface (usually in a layer at …

State Of The Fisheries And Aquatic Resources Report 2010/11, W.J Fletcher, K. Santoro

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

This is the second edition of the newly named State of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Report. Each year this report provides the public with an update on the status of all the fish and fisheries resources of Western Australia that are managed by the Department. The report outlines the current risk status for the ecological resources (assets) within each of WA‘s six Bioregions by taking a bioregional, Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach.

In Response To Need, A History Of The Western Australian Department Of Agriculture - 1894 To 2008, E N. Fitzpatrick

Books & book chapters

The department was not always such a significant organisation; it came from very small beginnings. However, it has been a major component of the engine which has produced an agricultural industry in a Mediterranean climate zone which is superior to all others operating in this zone. This book is a summary of its work. There are many more fascinating chapters to be recorded of work on specific issues of development, investigation or conservation. I hope they will be written by someone one day. With this in mind the department has decided to put the book on a web page where …

Western Australia's Biosecurity, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Department Of Environment And Conservation, Western Australia, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia, Forest Products Commission, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Biosecurity is the protection of the economy, environment and human health from the negative impacts of pests, weeds and diseases, including the management of invasive species if they become established (definition adopted by AusBIOSEC).

This requires steps to prevent the entry of harmful organisms, as well as the timely and efficient management of them if they do enter.

Biosecurity threats range from catastrophic diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, which causes rapid and widespread animal deaths, to more subtle and slower spreading problems such as invasive weeds, mussels that foul vessel hulls and fungus-induced dieback disease of trees. These …

Landscapes And Soils Of The Lake Grace District, D N. Sawkins

Bulletins 4000 -

The publication aims to provide readers with the principles underlying the formation of local landscapes and soils, and the ability to identify landscapes and their associated soils.

Marine Aquarium Fish Managed Fishery, K. A. Smith, Stephen J. Newman, G. M. Cliff

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) series

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is the concept that seeks to integrate short and long-term economic, social and environmental effects in all decision-making. The Western Australian Government is committed to the concepts of ESD and these principles are implicitly contained in the objectives of the Fisheries Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

Report On Phosphorus And Potassium Experiments Conducted On Partner Farms Of The Greener Pastures Project, Mike Bolland, Ian Guthridge, Graham Blincow, Peter Needs

Bulletins 4000 -

Dairy production in south-western Australia occurs predominantly on sandy soils in the greater than 800 mm annual average rainfall areas of the region. The climate is Mediterranean-type, typically with cool, wet May-October growing seasons and hot, dry November-April. Most dairy pastures are rain-fed and comprise the annual species Subterranean Clover (clover, Trifolium subterraneum L.), Annual Ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) and Italian Ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.).

Paddock grown pasture is the cheapest source of feed for dairy production in the region (Dilley and Howes 1998). To remain profitable in the face of diminishing returns, dairy farmers have modified their grazing management …

North Coast Fish Identification Guide, Ben M. Rome, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The intention of the North Coast Fish Identification Guide is to provide a simple, easy to use manual to assist commercial, recreational, charter and customary fishers to identify the most commonly caught marine finfish species in the North Coast Bioregion, Western Australia. This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive taxonomic fish ID guide for all species. It is anticipated that this guide will assist fishers in providing a more comprehensive species level description of their catch and hence assist scientists and managers in understanding any variation in the species composition of catches over both spatial and temporal scales.

Integrated Fisheries Management Report. West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

This report on the West Coast Demersal Scalefish fishery is the third in a series of Integrated Fisheries Management (IFM) resource reports required under the Government policy on IFM. Under this policy, the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Fisheries is required to approve a sustainability report for each fishery, which includes a clear statement on the recommended harvest level.

A Bycatch Action Plan For The Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The effect of commercial fishing on bycatch species and the marine ecosystem generally, has emerged as a significant national and international issue. Environmental issues associated with bycatch – including impacts on the ecology of non-target species of fish and wildlife – are important issues to address in reducing the impacts, or potential impacts, of commercial fisheries.

In 1998, the National Standing Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture developed a national policy on fisheries bycatch. In 1999, the (then) State Minister for Fisheries adopted the national policy as his position on bycatch for Western Australia. The main objective of the policy is …

Growing Biserrula To Improve Grain And Livestock Production, Angelo Loi, Natalie Hogg, Clinton Revell, Diana Fedorenko

Bulletins 4000 -

Biserrula pelecinus is a new genus of pasture legume which was developed for commercial agriculture by a team of Perth-based legume pasture scientists in the early 1990s. Biserrula is an annual pasture legume that is found in natural grasslands of the Mediterranean Basin, frequently on acidic soils derived from granite. It was this feature that first caught the eye of researchers who were attempting to develop species that could tolerate the soil stresses of acidity and low moisture-holding capacity. These stresses are common in WA and when they occur together they are problematical for the survival of annual medics and …

Future Management Of The Metropolitan Recreational Roe's Abalone Fishery., Metropolitan Roe's Abalone Recreational Fishery Working Group.

Fisheries Management Papers

Following the setting of a 40 tonne Total Allowable Recreational Catch (TARC) for the Perth recreational abalone fishery, a working group was formed to examine future management options.

The Metropolitan Roe’s Abalone Recreational Fishery Working Group (“the Working Group”) examined historical management, key principles, amenity of fishing, bag limits, license numbers, season length and timing of the season to assist its deliberations. A questionnaire was also sent out to 1,000 abalone recreational licence holders, with 20 per cent of licensees providing a detailed response.

Abalone Aquaculture In Western Australia. Aquaculture Policy., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

The Department of Fisheries (“Department”) is committed to the development of a sustainable abalone aquaculture industry in Western Australia. As part of its commitment, the Department has developed this new Abalone Aquaculture Policy (“Policy”) to outline new arrangements for the management of the abalone aquaculture industry in the State.

The first policy on abalone aquaculture was released 10 years ago and in November 2009, the Department convened a stakeholder meeting with the abalone industry (the wild capture and aquaculture sectors) to discuss policy changes that would support the abalone aquaculture industry in Western Australia. Relevant issues included compliance, monitoring, biosecurity, …

Adoption Of Sustainable Farm Management To Improve Tailwater Quality - A Plan For The Ord River Irrigation Area, Tara Slaven, Rebecca Heath, Jamie Bowyer

Bulletins 4000 -

The overall purpose of this plan is to provide a clear pathway to improve adoption of sustainable farming practices. The focus of the plan is to develop and encourage adoption of practices that minimise sediment, nutrient and chemical export from agricultural land within the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) (Figure 1). The plan aims to build on the significant work done by growers, government agencies and community groups over the years to manage the off-site impacts of irrigated agriculture.

A broad consultative approach was used to develop the plan. Workshops, meetings and oneon- one discussions were held with the local …

Draft Management Plan For The Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

As part of the Outcomes of the Wetline Review released in 2007 (Fisheries Management Paper 224) the then Minister for Fisheries approved the drafting of the Gascoyne Demersal Scalefish Fishery Management Plan (the Plan). The Hon Norman Moore MLC, Minister for Fisheries re-approved those decisions in 2009. The draft Plan will supersede the Shark Bay Snapper Management Plan 1994.

The Department intends to introduce the first phase of the Plan by 1 September 2010, at which time the Shark Bay Snapper Management Plan 1994 would be revoked and replaced by the new Plan. The (non pink snapper) demersal scalefish effort …

Wheat Variety Guide 2010 Western Australia, Christine Zaicou, Steve Penny, Brenda Shackley, Sarah Ellis, Shahajahan Miyan, Harmohinder Dhammu, Manisha Shankar, Darshan Sharma

Bulletins 4000 -

This guide summarises performance characteristics of commercially available wheats which have undergone testing in the National Variety Testing Project (NVT), breeding organisations crop variety testing and Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) variety specific agronomy projects. This information includes variety summaries, agronomic, disease and herbicide tolerance characteristics and medium to long-term yield performance. A review of regional performance in 2009 is followed by a comprehensive summary of 2009 variety time of sowing experiments and observed flowering dates.

By combining agronomy research outcomes with other related wheat research this document provides current information to assist with variety choice and management for …

Shark Bay Prawn And Scallop Fisheries: Final Review Report, Western Australia. Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

The Shark Bay Prawn Fishery and Shark Bay Scallop Fishery operate in the same general areas of Shark Bay (although there are some differences in their areas of operation). The interrelationship between trawling activities for the two target species (prawns and scallops) has raised both management challenges and industry conflicts over time. Harvest level settings for each fishery (in the form of effort levels and the timing and/or location of fishing) are independently set, on the basis of recruitment and abundance surveys of each target species. However, each industry sector strongly believes that the interactions between the fisheries arise because …

Western Rock Lobster Fishery Harvest Strategy And Decision Rules Framework Proposals. A Discussion Paper., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper outlines proposals designed to be used in an updated and improved Harvest Strategy and Decision Rules Framework (referred to as the ‘Decision Rules’) that has been developed to meet the short and long term sustainability and economic needs of the West Coast Rock Lobster Managed Fishery. This approach represents international ‘best practice’ for fisheries management and is consistent with the Commonwealth Government’s Fisheries Harvest Strategy Policy1 .

Carbon Capture Project, Final Report. An Evaluation Of The Opportunity And Risks Of Carbon Offset Based Enterprises In The Kimberley-Pilbara Region Of Western Australia, Mark Alchin, Elizabeth Tierney, Chris Chilcott

Bulletins 4000 -

Commercialisation of carbon in the Australian Rangelands could lead to the development of a multi-billion dollar industry, and Western Australia has the potential to capture a significant share of this revenue. A significant proportion of the WA Rangelands is degraded which is the legacy of the exploitative practices of historical pastoral development and the mining industry. Full environmental restoration of these areas is well beyond the fiscal capacity of land managers and the WA State Government. Carbon based enterprises have the potential to restore large tracts of degraded land in a cost-effective manner and can deliver a number of other …

Ecologically Significant Invasive Species, A Monitoring Framework For Natural Resource Management Groups In Western Australia, Jan-Willem De Miliano, Andrew Woolnough, Andrew Reeves, Damian Shepherd

Bulletins 4000 -

This publication is the result of the project titled 'Resource Condition Monitoring for Ecologically Significant Species. The project identified and addressed key weaknesses in the State's capacity to monitor threat posed by ecologically significant species. The invasive species monitoring framework for Western Australia developed through this project, along with the rationales underpinning the deign, are presented in this report.

Water Management Plan For The Town Of Pingelly, Mark Pridham

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Potential Reallocation Mechanisms For The Transfer/And Or Adjustment Of Catch Shares Of Sectors With Application To The Western And South Australian Rock Lobster Fisheries. A Discussion Paper., Chris Reid

Fisheries Management Papers

To allow for a greater understanding of potential allocation adjustment mechanisms and requirements for their implementation, Western Australia’s Department of Fisheries is exploring potential mechanisms with reference to their application in the Western and South Australian rock lobster fisheries. This work is being conducted as part of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) project 2007/050 Developing Mechanisms for the Transfer and/or Adjustment of Rock Lobster Shares Between Sectors in Western Australia and South Australia. This report documents the Department of Fisheries’ initial exploration and findings in relation to potential inter-sectoral reallocation mechanisms.

Considerations For The Implementation Of Western Rock Lobster Sectoral Allocations., Integrated Fisheries Allocation Advisory Committee

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper discusses the Western rock lobster allocation process.

The Minister for Fisheries has determined that the allocation for sectors in the western rock lobster fishery after reserving one tonne for the customary sector shall be 95 per cent commercial and five per cent recreational.

The notional Sustainable Harvest Level (SHL) for rock lobster is expressed as a range, depending on the status of the stock rather than a specific quantitative limit.

Landscapes And Soils Of The Northam District, D N. Sawkins, Department Of Agriculture And Food

Bulletins 4000 -

The publication aims to provide readers with the principles underlying the formation of local landscapes and soils, and the ability to identify landscapes and their associated soils.

Production Of Premium Waxflowers, Kevin Seaton, Nikki Poulish

Bulletins 4000 -

The cut flower trade is a highly competitive global market. Waxflowers are grown around the world—often in countries with lower cost structures or closer proximity to our main markets. Western Australian producers can only compete if their product stands out from the crowd in terms of quality, presentation and uniqueness, however, it still has to represent good value for money.

Landscapes And Soils Of The Narrogin District, D N. Sawkins

Bulletins 4000 -

The publication aims to provide readers with the principles underlying the formation of local landscapes and soils, and the ability to identify landscapes and their associated soils.