Animal Sciences Commons^™

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.

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.

Poultry Breeds Must Be Conserved : An Ideal Small Unit, R H. Morris

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

The Department of Agriculture is concerned at the rapid disapearance of some poultry breeds and strains over recent years. This trend has resulted from the disposal of flocks previously held by commercial poultry breeders and fanciers.

One way to stop the trend of disappearance of poultry breeds is for interested people to maintain a breeding flock of pure-bred poultry, making the progeny available to others.

This article describes a small unit suitable for housing breeding fowls. The unit is based on designs developed by the Department of Agriculture.

Progress In Mastitis Control : A Simple Control Programme That Works, G R. Olney, R. K. Mitchell

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

Intensive Department of Agriculture work on the mastitis problem has resulted in development of a simple control programme that works in W.A. dairy herds.

Farmern receive regular advice on their herd mastitis levels, and advice is available on overcoming specific problems.

The Philosophy Of Drenching Sheep In Western Australia, G C De Chaneet

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

Sheep of all classes are drenched more or less regularly throughout the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

Much of the drench is wasted because it is used in the wrong circumstances. This situation is probably a result of poor understanding of drenching.

This article discusses the philosophy of drenching and attempts to relate this to the epidemiology of parasitism as it is currently understood.

Annual Dipping Is A Costly Business, F C. Wilkinson

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

When sheep dipping was compulsory, lice infestations and their control could have been costing the sheep industry in Westrn Australi as much as $8 million a year.

On March 1, 1977 compulsory annual sheep dipping ended.

This raises the question of whether an owner should dip sheep.

Designing Yards For Sheep, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

This article has been adapted from a report of the 1976 Sheep and Wool Refresher Course.

The officers attending the Course inspected W. A. farms, and then met in groups to discuss what they had seen, and to pool their experience in compiling a report. This article has been adapted from the report of the group working on the topic "Sheep yards and facilities".

The W. A. representative in the group working on sheep yard design was Mr John Wise of the Department's Katanning office.

The principals discussed here should help farmers either design new sheep yards, or improve the …

Some Basics Of Marron Production, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

marron are native to the South-West of Western Australia, and are keenly sought by inland fisher-men. However, supplies do not equal the apparent demand.

One solution is to cultivate marron in farm dams, or more intensively as a commercial enterprise.

This article suggests a few guidelines for marron production.

Lumpy Wool May Increase By Dipping : Research Roundup, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Lumpy wool, or mycotic dermatitis, is an infectious disease on the skin of the sheep caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus conglensis. The organism invades the wool and hair follicles, causing formation of skin lesions producing scabby material which binds the wool fibres into a hard mass.

Research shows that 'dipping' may increase the incidence of lumpy wool with some chemicals a greater risk than others.

Recent Research On Cattle Worms : Research Round-Up, F C. Wilkinson, G. De Chaneet

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

Summary of research carried out on cattle worms.

Ryegrass Disease Could Spread, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The disease annual ryegrass toxicity kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected annual ryegrass. In Western Australia the first confirmed outbreak was in 1968 in the Gnowangerup area.

The disease has noe spread over a range of 450 kilometres and with a total area of perhaps 100 000 hectares. because annual ryegrass is the major sown pasture grass in W.A. the disease could spread throughout the South-West.

There are some precautions that can be taken.

Water Supplies On Wheatbelt Farms : A General Picture, I A F Laing

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

In good rainfall years, farm dams provide water fo more than 50 per cent of the total stock in the wheatbelt.

Other sources include ground water supplies and the piped Comprehensive Water Scheme.

The March 1970 census included questions on farm water supplies including how farmers coped in the 1969-70 drought.

Economics Of Farm Water Supplies, P P. Eckersley

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

The economics of farm water supplies can be studied in two ways. One is to compare the costs of alternative ways of supplying a specified quantity of water to a farm. Another is to calcu;ate how mucha farmer can afford or will pay for a water supply.

I propose to look at these questions from the point of vieew of an eastern wheatbelt farmer, assuming that he must pay the full costs of any water supply provided for his property.

Cotton Fireweed : Potential Poison : Research Roundup, J Dickson, R. Hill

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

Although long known as a potential toxic species because of its content, and although it is widely distribuited in all Australian States, cotton fireweed has not generally been consdidered toxic because it is unpalatable and not usually eaten by stock.

In 1973 cattle deaths occured near Ravensthorpe which led to research into Senecio quadridentatus (cotton fireweed).

The plant must be seen as a potential toxic species in situations where the lack of other feed forces cattle to eat the normally unpalatable cotton fireweed.

The Feral Goat Herd Of Faure Island, W H J Clarke

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

For just on a century there has existed on Faure Island, off the mid Western Australian coast, a herd of white feral goats.

The fleece of these animals, while similar in appearance to Angora mohair, has characteristics which somewhat resemble the luxury fibre cashmere, in that it comprises a fine dense undercoat, which sheds in early spring, as well as the hairy outcoat typical of all goat breeds except the Angora.

As there is little, if any, shedding in second or subsequent crosses, it would appear that the mating of Faure Island feral goats with traditional Angoras (or off-spring of …

Protecting Agriculture In 1976 : Three Sides Of An Apb Campaign, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A quick look at three areas in which the A.P.B. are working with landholders to protect Western Australia from invasion.

Protecting our agriculture and wildlife is not only the APB's job— it is very much the community's job also. Any suspect birds or plants must be reported immediately to the Agriculture Protection Board.

A Survey Of Shearing Times, B R. Beetson

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

When do farmers in W.A. shear their sheep, and why do they selest the times they do?

A Department of Agriculture survey attempted to answer these questions, which have important implications for the wool industry.

Cattle Fertility Not Harmed By Pour-On Insecticides, D J. Barker

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

Pour-on insecticides have been a feature of lice and fly control on cattle for many years and in many countries, but it seems that only in Western Australia have they been suspected of lowering fertility.

Frequent reports of this effect have been received by the Department of Agriculture since the first pour-on insecticide was marketed in W.A. in the late 1960's, culminating in the research work reported below.

The work clears pour-ons as a cause of reduced fertility in herds.

Meat Marketing : The L.I.P.C. And Japan's Meat Import Controls, G C. George

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

hardly a week passes without some reference to Japan's Livestock Industry Promotion Corperation (L.I.P.C.), and its effect on Australian meat exporters.

This article describes some of the functions of the L.I.P.C., and attempts to provide some insights into the Japanese meat market. The author, Gil George, recently returned from Japan after completing a Master's degree in Economics.

Strip Vs Continuous Grazing Of Irrigation Pasture, R Sprivulis, R. Bettenay, T. Pavy

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

A report on trial work looking at the alternative grazing systems andthe returns generated.

Emus On The Move : 1976, Michael T. Sexton

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

The greatest migration of emus in recent times came out of the ZMurchison and Gascoyne pastoral areas during the winter of 1976. The emus were driven south-westerly by an instinctive search for food.

The Agriculture Protection Board's barrier fences stoped the wave of emus on the fringes of the wheatbelt, causing a congregation estimated in mid June to total 50,000 birds.

This article reviews the reason behind the emu migration and the policies employed to deal with such a situation.

Bounty Systems In Vermin Control, S J O Whitehouse

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

For more than 3000 years man has tried to reduce the numbers of pest animals by payment of bounties. In general, the system has failed.

This article, by a research scientist who specalizes in the study of declared (pest) animals in Western Australia reviews some of the literature about bounties and comments on the situation in Australia.

Low Protein Rations Halve Bacon Pig Profits, N W. Godfrey

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

For many years the department of agriculture has recommended that pig producers include meat meal or other protein concentrate in pig rations based on cereal grains. However, it is still common for pigs to be raised on cereal grains with little or no protein added.

Recent trials at the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station have demonstrated the losses which can result from feeding pigs on low-protein cereal rations.

Calcium And Phosphorus Requirements In Lupin Seed Rations For Pigs, N W. Godfrey, A. R. Mercy

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

Seed of lupin varieties now available can be combined with wheat or barley to produce a balanced diet for growing/finishing pigs, and lupin seed has become a popular ingredient of pig rations.

As a protein concentrate, lupin seed is a satisfactory alternative to meatmeal, provided adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus are added as supplements. Without the addition of these elements to rations of lupin seed and grain, a number of problems are likely to arise.

Trials at the Medina Pig Research Station have shown that Christmas Island rock phosphate is the cheapest and most convenient source of supplementary calcium …

A Unit For Trapping Clean Pollen, S R. Chambers

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

Pollen, the fine particles formed in plant life and carrying the male germ cell responsible for fruit fertilisation and plant embryo formation, has been the subject of continual study over many years.

Original attempts to trap pollen loads from the honeybees were made with the object of feeding back pollen to colonies in times of short supply or over periods of pollen dearth.

With improved trapping methods, harvesting of pollen has developed to the extent that beekeepers can now produce a surplus to their needs.

In a time of world shortage of protein food substances it is not surprising that …

Lupinosis, M R. Gardiner

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

In spite of many years of intensive investigation lupinosis remains a remarkably complex and baffling problem. Current research is throwing new light on the disease and it is now much better understood— although far from beaten.

Lupinosis research is co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture's Lupinosis Committee, on which are represented all groups working on the disease. These include veterinary surgeons and pathologists, chemists, plant pathologists and animal husbandry specialists.

Chairman of the Committee is Dr M. R. Gardiner, Chief of the Department's Animal Division and a veteran of lupinosis research.

In this article Dr Gardiner summarises the current state …

The Sheep Measles Control Programme, J B. White

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

In the first seven months of 1968 Australia exported to the United States 17 747 tons of boned mutton; of this 2 198 tons, or 12.4 per cent, was condemned on arrival in that country.

The main cause of rejection was the presence of Cystkercus ovis cysts, the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Taenia ovis, of which the definitive host is the dog.

In 1969 the Western Australian Department of Agriculture decided to study the epidemiology of this disease.

This was the beginning of the work which would evolve into the 'Three Shire Control Programme'

Lupinosis And Rates Of Stocking Of Lupin Stubbles, K P. Croker, J. G. Allen, C. R. Lester, R. B. Guthrie

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

Lupin stubbles provide valuable summer sheep feed but under some conditions the fungus Phomopsis rossiana (for which lupins are the host plant) produces a toxin that causes lupinosis. Results from research at Badaingarra Research Station over the 1973-74 and 1974- 75 summers have shown that sheep liver damage associated with lupin stubble grazing is likely to be more severe at high than low stocking rates.

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

Synthetic Meat : Is It A Threat To Our Livestock Industries?, G A. Robertson

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

Synthetic "meats" are becoming accepted as an alternative protein source by many consumers in Western Europe, USA and Japan. Their relatively low cost and uniform quality make tbem attractive to the catering trade.

Australians are not generally aware of their increasing use although it has been suggested that "meat-like products" are a potential threat to our meat exports. This article outlines the current situation and emphasises the need to be fully informed about such products.

The author has studied this problem for some years and kept in close contact with developments while living in the United Kingdom and Australia.