Animal Sciences Commons^™

Heavy Rate Set Stocking : Esperance Downs Research Station, R J. Doyle

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

THIS article describes a stocking rate demonstration in one paddock at Esperance Downs Research Station, using Merino wethers.

Since December 1961, the area has supported 530 to 540 Merino wethers under continuous grazing.

Coccidiosis Of Calves, W A. Halhead

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

Coccidiosis is one of the commonest causes of calf loss and debility on South-West dairy farms.

Treatment and control are simple once the nature of the disease is understood.

Salmonella Infection In Farm Animals, F C. Wilkinson

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

FIFTY-EIGHT cases of salmonella infection were diagnosed in farm animals in Western Australia during 1965.

Losses, due to deaths, abortion and ill-thrift on properties where these cases occurred were often substantial and caused the owner financial hardship.

Many more outbreaks of salmonellosis undoubtedly occurred but were not brought to the notice of veterinarians.

Egg Shell Quality, R J. Bishop

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

Recent overseas work and local industry developments indicate that the calcium content of feed for laying hens in Western Australia should be increased to achieve satisfactory egg shell strength.

Age, temperature and breeding are other important influences on egg shell quality.

More Sheep Per Acre, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

In the late 1950's agricultural scientists in Western Australia became convinced that much of the improved pasture in the agricultural areas of the State was going to waste.

The results of the early trials resulted in many farm demonstrations of higher carrying capacities on improved pastures in southern agricultural areas.

Stocking Rates On Light Land : Wongan Hills Research Station, R J. Lightfoot, W. L. Mcgarry

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

THE two most important things that determine the rate of return on invested capital in Merino sheep breeding and grazing are the stocking rate and lambing percentage.

Rate Of Stocking, Rate Of Fertiliser In The Chapman Valley, R J. Parkin

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

THE Chapman Valley embraces a relatively small area of country, following generally the course of the Chapman River.

The Chapman Valley proper extends from just north-east of Geraldton to Nanson, Nabawa and Naraling and includes on its fringes, areas of Narra Tarra, Moonyoonooka and areas west of Nabawa towards Northampton.

The Avondale Stocking Rate Experiment, L D. White, R. J. Lightfoot, R. N. Glencross

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

THERE is now ample evidence that stocking rates well above the usual district levels can be carried in the Avon Valley.

However, many aspects of increasing stocking rates still require investigation, particularly with lambing ewes and young sheep.

Stocking Rate And Rate Of Superphosphate In A Higher Rainfall Area, P P. Mann, B. J. Gorddard, R. N. Glencross, E. N. Fitzpatrick

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

In its virgin state the area carried a forest association of red-gum and jarrah, and the soils are typical of large areas in the south-west of Western Australia.

These gravelly soils have a high requirement for phosphate during their first years under pasture, and this trial was designed to investigate the relationship between rate of phosphate, stocking rate and pasture production over a number of seasons.

Values Of Commonly-Used Protein Supplements In Broiler Rations, D F. Hessels

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

THE performances of broiler flocks in the latter part of 1964 were below standard. Low body weights and a high incidence of gizzard erosion were common on farms.

It was therefore decided to test the biological valuss of the commonly-used protein supplements and also to try to find a correlation between gizzard erosion and any of the protein supplements.

Enterotoxaemia (Pulpy Kidney Disease), J Craig

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

ENTEROTOXAEMIA, or pulpy kidney disease, is found in all areas of the world where sheep are raised and has occurred in Western Australia for many years, particularly in the great southern districts.

At one time it was known as "Beverley sheep disease."

The infectious nature of enterotoxaemia was first described by Bennets in 1932.

Animal Husbandry Research At Bramley, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A progress report of animal husbandry investigations at the Bramley Animal Husbandry Research Station, Margaret River.

BRAMLEY RESEARCH STATION is four miles north of Margaret River.

The average annual rainfall of 45 inches falls mainly in the winter, providing a seven-month growing season which starts in March or April.

The June-July period is excessively wet, causing extensive waterlogging of the soils.

List Of Department Of Agriculture Publications, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE following publications are available on application from the Department of Agriculture.

Most of the bulletins listed are reprints from the Journal of Agriculture and are free of charge (except where a price is stated).

The date of original publication of reprints is stated to facilitate reference to bound volumes of the Journal.

Comparisons Of Broiler Rations, D F. Hessels

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

PELLETS are the most profitable feed for broiler chickens—but when they contain about two-thirds cereal, does it pay a country grower to pay freight on pellets when cereals are plentiful in his district?

A Potential Champ? [Distemper In Dogs], F C. Wilkinson

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

THE mother of this pup was an eight-year-old sheep dog and in the eyes of her owner she was a champion and well worth her keep.

She was perhaps slowing down a little, so the best looking pup out of the last litter had been kept as a possible replacement.

Stocking Rates With Growing Cattle At Wokalup Research Station, Maurice C. Cullity

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

CONSIDERABLE attention has been given in Australia and in overseas countries to methods of grazing control, and to the effects of varying stocking concentrations.

There is evidence that the highest yields per animal—of milk or butterfat per cow, or of weight increase per growing or fattening beast—are not necessarily a true reflection of the greatest output from the farm, as indicated by the measure of yield per acre.

A Sick Ewe Why? [Pregnancy Toxaemia], F C. Wilkinson

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

THIS dazed-looking ewe was seen wandering aimlessly around with an unsteady gait.

Three other ewes had died after a similar sickness lasting about four days.

Two more sheep in the flock of 350 ewes were also sick. One of them was down with its head on one side.

Skim Milk : Is A Valuable Pig Feed, But It Should Be Balanced By Other Foods, P Mcnamara, R. Sprivulis

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

SKIM milk is a source of high quality protein, and as such is a valuable feed for young pigs.

Pigs will live and grow on skim milk alone, but it is not a balanced food. You will not get the best out of the milk or the pigs if the diet is not balanced by other foods.

List Of Registered Stock Foods And Stock Licks, 1965-66, H G. Cariss

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

A l l foods for stock sold in Western Australia are required by the Feeding Stuffs Act, 1928-1955, to be registered annually with the Department of Agriculture.

For the purposes of the Act, "Food for Stock" includes stock licks, which in turn embrace all preparations claimed to supply or primarily intended to supply mineral matter to stock.

Planning A Dairy Farm, A W. Hobbs

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

THE average dairy farmer makes improvements to his property as opportunity offers, working towards a goal he has formulated in his mind.

This gradual development may eventually lead to his desired layout.

Down And Out [Pulpy Kidney Disease], F C. Wilkinson

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

Two days previously the weaner mob had broken through a gate into a hundred acre paddock in which an excellent green oat crop was growing.

The owner had not been particularly worried because the oats needed grazing. When however, he went to check the water troughs and found 17 weaners dead, he became perturbed.

Worms In Sheep. 1. The Worms Which Infest Sheep In W.A, R W. Butler

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

Parasitic worms of sheep occur so widely that they are a problem of most flocks.

While a few worms might be of little consequence, worms can kill many sheep and could cause serious economic loss in the agricultural areas of W.A.

This first article describes the types of worms and their effects on sheep.

Agriculture In Williams-West Arthur : Report Of A Survey Of Farm Practices, A W. Hogstrom

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

THIS article summarises the results of a survey of 81 farms in the Williams and West Arthur Shires, carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture at the request of the Central South Zone Development Committee.

Field work for the survey started in 1961.

Production-Line Calf Feeding, F J. Fielder, A. Hamilton

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

MANY cream-producing dairy farmers have found that it can be profitable to increase the number of calves they rear. In fact, it is big business for those who can rear up to 200 calves a year, and a few have already achieved this number.

Rules Of The Western Australian Pure Bred Dairy Cattle Production Recording Scheme, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

REVISION of these rules was necessary because of the amalgamation of the field work with that of Grade Herd Recording.

Adjustments have been made to facilitate more expeditious handling of records in the Department's Head Office.

Other minor changes have been made to bring the rules into line with present day practice.

Baby Beef Production In W.A, D J. Barker

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

BABY beef should be marketed at about 500-600 lb. liveweight at less than 12 months old, and should be in prime condition to be sought after by the trade.

Vibriosis In Sheep, Stanley M. Dennis

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

OVINE VIBRIOSIS or vibrionic abortion, a serious disease of breeding ewes, has been known for almost 50 years and has been reported from most of the important sheep breeding areas of the world.

It is capable of causing serious economic loss.

Dairy Farming In The Busselton-Margaret River District. Part 3. Fodder Conservation, R A. Bettenay

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

An analysis of fodder conservation indicates that farmers in the Busselton-Margaret River district are conserving less than half the amount of fodder considered desirable.—Third in a series reporting a survey of farm practices in the district.

Cow's Hoofs Need To Be Watched, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE need for thorough trimming of the hoofs of sheep for the control of foot rot is recognized, but few realize the need for trimming the hoofs of cattle.

The Effect Of Seaweed Meal On Yolk Colour, B R. Vale, P. Smetana

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

Could seaweed, plentiful on local beaches, be used to improve egg yolk colour?

This article gives the results of experiments at the Department's Poultry Research Station.