Animal Sciences Commons^™

Beef Marketing As A Guide To Production Techniques, D J. Barker

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

Until about a year ago beef was in strong demand. Almost anything was marketable at favourable prices and good profits could be made even if the production process was wasteful in some respects.

Now the tide has turned. The demand for beef is weak, prices are low and some types of beef are virtually unsaleable. Now more than ever it is important to look critically at the factors which affect beef quality and to seek ways of reducing waste in both feed used and end products marketed.

This article examines production and marketing of beef and points out some inadequacies …

Development Of A Selective Bait For Rabbits, A J. Oliver, S. H. Wheeler

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

It has long been recognised that a means of killing rabbits selectively in the presence of stock would be a major advance in rabbit control. It would enable a whole farm to be treated for rabbit control at one time, saving operational costs and cutting down reinfestation of rabbits into treated areas from untreated areas.

A literature search and some pilot trials indicated that indandione derivatives were more toxic to rabbits than to ruminants.

Pindone (2- pivalyl-l,3-indandione) was selected for evaluation.

Annual ('Wimmera') Ryegrass Toxicity, Geoffrey A. Pearce, O. M. Goss, P. H. Berry, J. L. Wise

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

Because annual ryegrass is one of the most widespread pasture plants in Western Australia, annual ryegrass toxicity is a threat to livestock in many agricultural areas—even though the area now affected is small.

The problem is being intensively studied by the Department of Agriculture and a working group has been set up to investigate potential control measures.

In this article the group reviews the problem and reports progress in its investigations to the end of 1973.

The Effects Of Changing Flock Structure On The Amount And Type Of Turn-Off From Sheep Flocks, T Marshall

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

In the past the proportion of mated ewes in Western Australia's sheep flocks carried through summer has averaged about 40 per cent and sheep meat production has been basically lamb and old mutton.

If the proportion of mated ewes was lifted to an average of around 50 per cent and wethers were sold off at an average of about 2 1\ 2 years old, there would be substantial increases in sheep meat production. The extra meat produced would be young sheep meat ideally suited for table meats for consumers in W.A. and in many overseas countries.

As a result of …

The Medina Pig Research Station, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Before the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station was established in 1964, pig production research had been carried out on Denmark Research Station, Muresk Agricultural College and in some commercial herds.

However, with increasing specialisation in the pig industry better facilities were needed. Medina Research Station provides such facilities, allowing it to carry out research to provide detailed information of immediate practical value for both extensive and intensive pig production enterprises.

Reproductive Wastage Among Merino Ewe Flocks. 2. Non-Clover Areas, T Marshall, B. R. Beetson, R. J. Lightfoot, G. R. Mcmullen

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

This research sought to define the reasons for low fertility among Merino ewes in Western Australia.

This first article looks at wastage in Non-Clover areas

Objective Measurement And The Stud Breeder, B R. Beetson

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

The movement towards sale of wool by certificate and sample highlights the significance of objective measurement in the Merino stud breeders' selection of his top rams.

This article suggests how stud breeders should use the Department of Agriculture's Flock Testing Service to gain genetic progress in wool producing ability without loss of visual buyer appeal.

Studs' use of the service will be evaluated in 1974.

Lot Feeding Sheep In Sheds, H E. Fels, B. Malcolm

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

The need to gather and hold sheep for slaughter or live shipment led a West Australian company!, with the Department of Agriculture, to investigate the use of sheds for short term lot feeding of sheep. Preliminary examination suggested that feedlot sheds connected by a sheep footpath to the abattoirs, railway or saleyards could be cheaper as well as more practicable than continued use of holding paddocks.

The first week or two are commonly the most difficult in lot feeding sheep or cattle. Long-term indoor lot-feeding is a normal practice in some overseas countries but we did not know whether untrained …

New Cattle Breeds : How Do We Use Them?, J L. Anderson

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

Traditionally, beef production in Australia has been based on a few of the many breeds that developed in the United Kingdom. Pedigree breeding was used to maintain these breeds and was probably a sound policy, when combined with selection on performance, to maintain and concentrate merit in stud herds.

Emphasis on pure breeding has caused many prejudices against the practices of mixing and selection which were the original bases of breed formation.

Despite the adaptation of British breeds to the various environments in Australia there was, and still is, continuous interest in introducing other breeds of cattle to improve beef …

Clover Disease : What Do We Know And What Can We Do, T Marshall

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

A review of 30 years' study and practical experience of clover disease in Western Australia—and a summary of current recommendations for reducing problems in sheep grazing pastures based on oestrogenic subterranean clover.

Management Policies For Increasing Sheep Turnoff, T Marshall

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

An increase in the proportion of mated ewes in West Australian flocks could increase the number of sheep available for sale, without greatly affecting total sheep numbers or reducing farm income. This would help overcome a critical sheep shortage.

Selenium And Sheep Health, B J. Gabbedy, A. J. Hadlow

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

For many years selenium was known to the livestock industries only because of its toxic properties. Some soils, particularly in the United States of America, were so high in selenium that many animals died after grazing plants on these soils.

In 1957 it was discovered that selenium supplements could prevent a number of diseases and, from that time, selenium has been regarded as an essential trace element.

White muscle disease (WMD) was first recognised in sheep in Western Australia in 1960 and has occurred each year since.

Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, introduced in 1971 by the Department of Fisheries and Fauna, is designed to ensure the long-term conservation of the grey kangaroo, while at the same time recognising the right of the landholder to protect his primary production from damage.

One of the points which has arisen after examination of the programme is that some individual farmers are not fully aware of the requirements of the regulations.

Farm Operations Management, H E. Fels, A. W. Hogstrom

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

The main defence of Australian farmers against the cost-price squeeze has been to increase productivity. The tendency is to run more and more stock per man and to grow more crop per man.

Some farmers run unusually large numbers of animal units per man-year.

The operations of 16 such farmers over one year were examined to find out whether it had been profitable for them to reduce labour inputs to such an extent.

Trends In Milking Systems, G W. Scott

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

Twice daily milking is an essential task for the dairy farmer and the speed of milking influences the time available to him for other work and to the cows for extra grazing.

Modern milking systems can greatly contribute to these requirements by allowing the owner-farmer to handle a greater number of cows unaided, or in other situations to release labour from the shed for other work.

The following review leads from the better known basic sheds to the most modern types.

Objective Measurement Of Wool : Criteria, Methods And Materials, A Ingleton

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

An outline of some of the technical aspects of the objective measurement of wool—processes that will mean major cost savings to the wool industry.

Farm Grazing Levels, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Stocking rates in many dairying areas are so low that the Division has established nine grazing level demonstrations in various areas.

Their aim is to demonstrate that higher stocking rates are practical on existing farms.

Sheep Meat Production Trial, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Better understanding of Middle- East, European and Asian market requirements for Australian sheep has influenced the design of a large meat production trial at Avondale Research Station.

The trial will supply basic information on sheep meat production and involves examples of breed types available in Western Australia and capable of supplying young, lean animals all the year round.

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep On Clover Areas, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Western Australia's 67 per cent lambing for 1970 compares poorly with that of other Australian States, and other countries. From the 12.3 million ewes mated in this State's agricultural areas in 1970, only 8.2 million lambs were marked.

This low 77.7 per cent conception rate sparked the present series of reproductive wastage investigations by the Department's Sheep and Wool Branch.

This report describes the first year's results of the project in W.A.'s "clover disease" areas.

Cancer Eye Of Cattle, M R. Gardiner, J. L. Anderson, D. E. Robertson

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

Cancer of the eye and eyelids is mainly a disease of cattle, although it occasionally occurs in most species of animals and in man. It is the most common cancer in cattle, especially in certain breeds.

Reproductive Wastage In Sheep In Non-Clover Areas, C. H. Trotman

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

A Research Round-up report in the June, 1972, issue of the Journal of Agriculture discussed the reproductive performance of sheep in Western Australia and indicated that more than 20 per cent, of mated ewes fail to lamb.

The report presented the first year's results from sheep grazing clover areas.

This report presents results from the nonclover sections of the investigations

Meat From The Dairy Herd, R A. Bettenay

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

Beef raising is a profitable sideline for many West Australian dairy farmers and gives their farming operation flexibility and versatility.

With suitable management and feeding the weight gains and consumer acceptance of dairy beef allow it to compete strongly with beef from other sources.

The breeds most common on W.A. dairy farms are well suited to beef production.

Wimmera Ryegrass Toxicity, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Wimmera ryegrass toxicity has been reported for many years to affect sheep and occasionally cattle in New Zealand, South Australia and the United States of America.

In Western Australia, occasional reports since 1959 and severe outbreaks of staggers in the Katanning- Gnowangerup areas over the last two years prompted the investigation reported below.

Kimberley Research Station Review Of Progress, 1968-71, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The potential for harnessing northern rivers flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Timor Sea was realised many years ago.

These rivers together are estimated to carry about three times the water transported annually over the Murray drainage system and the South Eastern slopes, which comprise the closely settled agricultural areas of South Eastern Australia.

The Kimberley Research Station was established in 1946 to investigate the potential for irrigated agriculture in the Ord River valley. This is a review of the Station's sixth progress report which is being published as Department of Agriculture Bulletin No. 3861.

Fumigation And Rabbit Control, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Fumigation has been a valuable tool in Australian rabbit control for over 70 years, because of its economy and efficiency compared with methods such as shooting and trapping.

Even now, while it is not as economical as 'one-shot' baiting, fumigation remains a valuable initial control effort because it is not affected by season and does not require shifting of stock.

Sheep Fertility In Western Australia, R J. Lightfoot

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

Why do one-quarter of the ewes that are joined in W.A. fail to lamb? Sheep and Wool Adviser Dr. R. J. Lightfoot analyses the eight stages in sheep reproduction, explaining the causes and possible prevention of infertility at each stage.

Preparing For Shearing, A Ingleton

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

SHEARING is a time of concentrated and continuous activity.

Under these conditions preliminary preparation of yards, sheds, machinery, quarters, and sheep is essential if the shearing is to proceed with the minimum of delays and maximum efficiency.

Methods Of Cattle Identification For The Farmer, R C. Burking

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

THE value of management decisions in day-to-day dairy herd management, such as breeding, selection, and culling, depends on accurate identification of individual animals.

A report on tests of some methods of cattle identification available to farmers.

This article is concerned only with methods of identification of cattle on the farm. It is the farmer's responsibility to brand his stock with his registered brand to comply with the requirements of the Brands Act, in addition to any brands or tags applied for his own management purposes.

Any marks other than the registered brand or earmark must be clearly distinguishable from, and …

Grain Finishing Of Beef Cattle Grazing Dry Pasture Or Stubble, D J. Barker

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

WHEAT quotas, poor wool prices and the availability of cheap grain on the farm have stimulated interest in grain finishing of cattle for out-of-season beef production. For many years, Animals turned off in the autumn-winter period have brought better prices than those sold in summer, at the end of the pasture flush.

Feeding grain supplements to cattle on dry pasture or stubble requires less capital than feedlotting and saves the cost of handling and processing roughage.

This article gives the essentials for grain supplementation of dry pasture or stubble but warns that grain finishing is unlikely to be profitable outside …

Feedlots For Beef In W.A. : Some Guiding Principles, D J. Barker

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

FEEDLOTS are small enclosures where all of the animal's feed is supplied from an outside source. Compared with grazing, feedlotting is an expensive method of beef production.

This article gives a guide to the requirements for establishment and management of a farm feedlot, especially the basic equipment and materials, the type of cattle most suited to feedlotting, rations and feeding techniques.

The author warns that skill and experience are needed to run a feedlot and describes feedlotting as an expensive method of beef raising when compared with grazing.

Further details are available from the author