Animal Sciences Commons^™

Bulletin No 4131- Electric Fencing, Dean Maughan

Bulletins 4000 -

Fencing has always been an integral part of our agricultural system. We need fences for stock control and pasture management. Traditionally, fences have been strong and robust physical barriers. The strength and height of the fence kept domestic animals confined. For many years, conventional fences have served the farmer well. However because returns from livestock over the past ten years have been variable and because of the current cost/ price squeeze, electric fencing, as a cheaper form of fencing, has gained popularity.

A Review Of Plant Introductions To The Kimberley 1955 To 1987, R Mccartney

Grain and other field crops published reports

This report summarizes the work done by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, in the west and north Kimberley in introducing plant species during 1955-1987.

For the purposes of this repor1the following areas are defined thus:

• West Kimberley- lies between latitude 17°5 and 19°5 and longitude 121°E and 127°E, with an extension to the north of 1° between 121°E and I 24°20'E. The area is 118,000 km".

• North Kimberley - lies north of latitude 17°5 and between longitude 124°20'E and 127°30'E. The area is 85,000 km'.

• East Kimberley-lies north of latitude 19°5 and between longitude 127°30'E and …

Distribution Of Sexual Activities Within Estrus Of Dairy Cattle, Donna Durbin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Previous studies of dairy cattle have indicated that heifers and cows in hot, cold and moderate weather had different patterns of sexual activities. The purpose of this study was to compare distribution of sexual activities within estrus of dairy cattle. Three groups of lactating cows in hot, cold and moderate weather and a group of heifers in cold weather were observed. Estrus for each individual was divided into 12 equal periods. Sexual activities for 3 and 6 hours before and after estrus were also observed. The numbers of mounts and distribution of total sexual activities was analyzed. Mounts received per …

Bulletin No 4189 - Training And Care Of The Sheep-Dog, John Charlick, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

A well trained sheep-dog is a considerable asset to a farmer — in a recent Queensland Department of Primary Industries study, participating graziers estimated the value of a good working dog to be up to $20,000 a year.

Despite their value, dogs can be maintained cheaply. The Queensland study quoted $130 a year as the most any grazier spent on an individual dog — for dry food, vaccine and treatments for internal and external parasites.

This Bulletin aims to show how to train a sheep-dog from a raw pup to a highly useful and well trained, mature dog. The methods …

1991 Nebraska Cattlemen Bull Selection Clinics

University of Nebraska Historical Extension: Bulletin

Program

Welcome and Introduction

Use of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) in Bull Selection

... at Columbus: by Steve McGill, Director Shorthorn Performance Records, American Shorthorn Association, Omaha, NE

... at North Platte, Chadron and Gering: by Keith V ander Velde, Director Beef Programs, American Breeders Service, De Forest, WI

... at Fairbury, Sutton, Verdigre: by Roy Wallace, Director Beef Programs, Select Sires, Plain City, OH

Demonstration of EPD use in Bull Selection: - Dr. Jim Gosey, NU Extension Beef Specialist, Nebraska Cattlemen, Purebred Council Representative; Featured Speaker--McGill, Vander Velde or Wallace

Discussion of Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) of Bulls: by …

Miscellaneous Publication 33/91 - Markets For Western Australian Beef, Alan Peggs

Animal production and livestock published reports

In 1990/91 the Western Australian beef industry generated close to $172 million and was the State's third largest rural industry.

As at 31 March this year the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the State's cattle herd at 1,651,000 head of which 108,000 head are dairy cattle. Of the beef cattle 832,000 are located in the agricultural area and 819,000 in the pastoral area.

The principal market for Western Australian beef is the domestic market. This market consumes around 65 per cent of the State's annual production. Export markets use close to 35 per cent with the principal markets being the …

The Productivity Of Western Australia's Wheat And Sheep Industry, Tim Coelli, Ross Kingwell

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

A popular economic lament is that Australian industries and workers are not as productive as they should be. Politicians and economic commentators preach the need for productivity improvement and workplace reform, and criticise inefficiency and lack of endeavour. Can such criticism be fairly levelled at farmers and agricultural scientists? What is productivity and how is it measured? What is the productivity of Western Australia's main agricultural industry — wheat and sheep farming? This article addresses these questions and shows that our wheat-sheep industry can be moderately proud of its productivity record

Farm Management Memo - Advice To Help Farming Through The Rural Downturn, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Historically, commodity prices cycle between a "boom and a bust" every few years. Farmers are often able to adjust their operations to reduce the impact of a downturn in commodity prices by:

• Increasing efficiency through reducing or maintaining input costs while maintaining or increasing production levels.

• Maximising returns through seeking price premiums on commodities (protein, noodle quality, finer wool, increased clean wool yield).

• Reducing overhead costs

• Seeking cheaper finance or refinancing costly loans

• Careful planning and management with a high degree of attention to detail.

• Seeking advice

Miscellaneous Publication 36/90 - Western Australian Beef Industry - Background, Alan Peggs

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Western Australian beef industry is poised to expand production in response to improved export opportunities in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

There are a number of beef processors and exporters with substantial experience in exporting beef to international markets. These companies can supply a wide range of beef products.

Most beef produced in Western Australia is grass-fed. However, grain-finished beef is produced at certain times of the year.

The beef industry has been in a period of contraction since the "beef price crash" of the mid 1970s. As a result it has come to focus more on domestic market …

Sex Reversal Of Tilapia In Earthen Ponds, Tom Popma, Bartholomew Green

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

This Aquacultural Production Manual from the International Center for Aquaculture at Auburn University is oriented towards field application rather than rigorous scientific evaluation of the described techniques. The management practices have been field tested and proven feasible at the described scale of production.

The intended readers are intermediate to upper level technicians with experience in related aquacultural activities. As such, a basic understanding of the principles of aquatic production and of the life history and environmental requirements of tilapia is presumed.

Bulletin No 4187 - Choosing Commercial Beef Bulls, David Barker

Bulletins 4000 -

This bulletin provides a method of placing realistic differences in value on young bulls offered for sale.

The prices paid for young bulls are often based on superficial appearance alone, and this has important financial implications for the purchaser. Different characteristics have either large or small effects on the net value of progeny produced. They are dependent on such factors as: the variability of different characteristics in cattle; differences in reliability of the assessment; the extent to which the characteristic is passed on to the progeny; the effect of the characteristic on realized net value of the progeny; the effect …

The Effect Of Seasonal Cattle Grazing On California Bighorn Sheep Habitat Use, Melanie J. Steinkamp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The effect of seasonal cattle grazing on a newly reintroduced population of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Idaho, was studied. The hypothesis that bighorn sheep avoid cattle was tested. The issue of avoidance between bighorn sheep and livestock is arguable. Some studies have found that bighorn sheep avoid cattle while others have found no response of bighorn sheep to cattle.

Evidence was found to document the avoidance of cattle by bighorn sheep. The size of the bighorn's home range and core area decreased with the movement of cattle into areas of high bighorn …

Growth Stimulants And Feed Additives, Norris J. Stenquist

All Archived Publications

In recent years, the most revolutionary increases in beef cattle weights and feeding efficiencies have resulted from the development and use of growth stimulants, feed additives, and antibiotics. These nonnutritive products not only improve the rate and efficiency of gain but prevent certain diseases as well. Their use has significantly improved beef cattle production efficiency and provided a greater return per dollar invested than any other factor in the livestock industry. Growth stimulants deposit increased protein in the animal without changing protein or energy intake. They are designed to provide a constant slow release of active ingredients into the animal's …

Evaluating Growth & Maternal Traits Of Beef Cattle, Nyle J. Matthews

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Selecting For Carcass Merit, Norris J. Stenquist

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Eradication Of The Liver Fluke In Dairy Cattle, Dave Muirson

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

In July 1987, a meat inspector found liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) in a cow at an export abattoir at Waroona. This was the first evidence of the liver fluke completing its life cycle in Western Australia. Fortunately, the Department of Agriculture is reasonably confident that a comprehensive drenching programme has eradicated the liver fluke. The establishment of liver fluke in the south-west coastal areas could cause a serious problem for cattle producers and the small number of sheep producers. Stock would need additional drenching, and if it was not carried out effectively production could be lost or stock could die. …

The Relationship Between The Murine Primary Immune Response To Sheep Red Blood Cells & Heterosis, Russell Gailor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Two inbred strains of mice, BALB/c and C57BL, were crossbred to produce Fl hybrids. This breeding scheme ensured a high degree of genetic heterozygosity as exemplified by the fact that the average weight of the Fl hybrids at 10 weeks of age was 10.1 percent greater that that of their contemporaries in the inbred parental strains.

The three lines of mice were then challenged with a 0.5 ml intraperitoneal injection of two-percent sheep red blood cells (SRBC). After a 15-day period the mice were bled and their sera were microtitrated for anti-SRBC agglutinin and the titers statistically analyzed. The Fl …

Artificial Insemination Of Ewes With Fresh Semen, Jonathon Hunton, Keith Kroker

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin gives a basic outline of the technique for artificial insemination (Al) of sheep. The topic is large and incorporates several areas of reproductive physiology which can only be given cursory treatment in this publication. Much of the information discussed is also applicable to goat breeders wishing to use AT, although there are some fundamental differences.

Studies On I) Dry Matter And Nitrogen Disappearance Of Six Soybean Protein Products In Situ And Ii) Contamination Of In Situ Dry Matter And Nitrogen Disappearance With Acid Detergent Fiber, James Coomer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In experiment I), dry matter disappearance (DMD) and nitrogen disappearance (ND) of raw soybeans (RAW), solvent extracted soybean meal (SBM), heat treated whole soybeans (HT), mechanically extracted soybean meal (MEX), dry extruded soybeans (DEX), and wet extruded soybeans (TEX), were studied in situ for times of 3, 6, 12 and 24 h of rumen exposure. Five gram, air dry, samples were suspended in the rumen of a lactating Holstein cow fed a total mixed ration twice daily. The percent DMD for 24 h was as follows: RAW-85.9; SBM-56.6; HT-39.0; MEX-40.2; DEX-28.0; TEX-43.3. The greatest DMD was observed with RAW and …

Bulletin No 4158 - Western Australian Beef Industry - Economic Constraints And Future Market Outlook, Alan Peggs

Bulletins 4000 -

Since the mid 1970s there has been a substantial decline in cattle numbers in Western Australia. Most of this decline has occurred in the agricultural areas.

Much of the decline in cattle numbers can be attributed to low real cattle prices.

As a result of the fall in cattle numbers beef production has also fallen. However, the percentage fall in production has been somewhat less than the percentage decline in numbers due to a rise in the average carcass weight of animals slaughtered.

With declining beef production the amount of beef available for export has also declined. Similarly domestic consumption …

The Benefits Of Weaning Cattle In The Kimberley, David Pratchett, Stuart Young

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Kimberley region was populated with Shorthorn cattle from Queensland and New Sonth Wales in the 1880's. The descendants of these cattle known as Kimberley Shorthorn are still the predominant breed in the region. The relatively poor performance of these cattle under the harsh Kimberley conditions and the fact that changing the genotype can improve productivity was recently published (Pratchett D. WADA Journal No. 4 1988)

While the adoption of Bos indicus breeds is the correct move, improved husbandry can also increase the productivity of the Kimberley Shorthorn cow. The majority of cattle in the Kimberley are not weaned. Sometimes …

Bulletin 4152 - Sheep In Western Australia, R J. Suiter

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australia's sheep industry started in the early 1830s when the first flock-owners grazed their sheep on extensive areas of native vegetation, often by shepherding on unfenced country. Later, farm flocks built up as settlers cleared and fenced land for cultivation, and 'pastoral' or 'station' sheep were confined to fenced areas of native vegetation, leased from the Government.

By 1900, more than 75 per cent of Western Australia's sheep were still classed as 'pastoral', but by 1987/88, the pastoral areas carried only 2 million of the 34.1 million State flock.

Today, many former sheep stations carry cattle, which survive better …

Economic Impact Of Growing Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, J M. Warren, Jeremy Allen, Wallace Cowling

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

The planting of Phomopsis-resistant lupins will increase net farm income. They will also alter the traditional blend of pastures and cropping, depending on grain and wool prices. In mixed farming areas of Western Australia's southern wheatbelt, they will allow more land to be sown to lupins rather than cereals on farms in which the lack of sheep feed over summer severely restricts wool production.

The benefits of Phompsis-resistant lupins arise from a reduction in sheep deaths due to lupinosis, a longer safe grazing period (free from lupinosis) on lupin stubbles, a decrease in the need for supplementary sheep feed over …

Evaluating Growth And Maternal Traits Of Beef Cattle, Nyle J. Matthews

Archived Agriculture Publications

For many years we evaluated cattle only on the basis of visual appraisal. Some people had a very good eye for cattle, but at best, eyeball evaluation was guess work. Many important traits, such as soundness, still require visual assessment.

Growth Stimulants, Nyle J. Matthews

Archived Agriculture Publications

A tiny pellet inserted under the skin of a calf's ear may increase weight gains as much as 15 to 20 percent. This same result would take years to accomplish through breeding and selection. These tiny pellets are growth stimulants. They are made of hormones that are constructed to slowly release minute amounts into the blood stream that stimulate the animal to produce natural body hormones. One of these hormones is a growth hormone. It regulates the rate of growth of the animal. Increasing the rate of growth will almost always improve feed efficiency and reduce maintenance costs. These pellets …

Raising Bees, R.S. Roberts

Archived Agriculture Publications

Publication gives information about raising bees and producing honey.

Finishing Kimberley Cattle In The South-West, Brian L. Mcintyre, Bill Ryan, Neville Macintyre

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

The idea of integrating the Kimberley cattle industry with that in the south-west of Western Australia is no new, but until recently it had not been critically evaluated.

Over the past eight years the Department of Agriculture's Beef Cattle Branch has been assessing the performance of Kimberley cattle transported south for finishing in the agricultural areas.

This research has show that Kimberley weaners can be finished in the south, and that under the present (December 1988) economic conditions it is more profitable than running breeding cattle in the south-west and comparable with fattening store steers.

Prospects For Leucaena On The Ord, D Pratchett, Tim Triglone

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

For the past few years, the Department of Agriculture has been fattening cattle on the forage shrub leucaena which is grown under irrigation with pangola grass. About 400ha of leucaena is under commercial production in the Kimberley.

Cattle grazing leucaena show promising growth rates but other problems need to be overcome before its use is more widely adopted. Leucaena establishes slowly. It is also costly to transport fattened cattle to southern abbatoirs.

Weighing Scales For Sheep Do Pay, W D. Roberts

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

Sheep producers can improve production by using weighing scales and keeping accurate records of weights.

Withiut some objective measurement, such as weighing, producers have no accurate method of identifying the heaviest, lightest and average weight of a group of sheep.

They could try to esstimate weight by eye - but most people are poor judges of body weight.

Performance & Carcass Traits Of Swine Of Four Different Phenotypes & Three Usda Grades, Jon Althaus

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance and carcass characteristics of swine of four different phenotypes and three USDA grades.

Hogs were placed into phenotypic groups of 24 each and penned by group. These pens were ideal, cutability, light muscled, fat, VS US and US The hops were fed a 16% corn and soybean meal ration fortified with appropriate minerals and vitamins. They were housed in a total confinement curtain-sided Kentucky plan building with a partially slatted floor. The hogs were weighed at 6-week intervals throughout the project to monitor average daily gain and pen feed efficiency. …