Animal Sciences Commons^™

Erosion Potential Of Phomopsis-Resistant Lupins, D J. Carter, Paul Findlater

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

During lupin harvesting, up to 20 per cent of the grain remains on the ground. This non-harvested or pilt grain is a valuable feed for sheep during early summer because the pods, leaf and stem generally provide little nutrient in the stubnbles. In addition, the more efficient the weed control, the less valuable are the stubbles.

The disease lupinosis caused by Phomopsis leptostromiformis restricts the amount of grazing from the lupin stubbles, and hence the risk of wind-erosion of stubble paddocks.

However, the introduction of lupin varieties moderately resistant to Phomopsis and with reduced potential to cause lupinosis means that …

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.

The Sandplain Lupin : Its Nutritional Value And Grazing Management, P W. Morcombe

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

The sandplain lupin or Western Australian blue lupin (Lupinus cosentinii) was introduced to the West Midlands at the turn of the last century. Since that time it has been used as a self-regenerating summer forage for sheep and cattle.

Being deep rooted, it has adapted well to the sandy soils from Perth to Northampton, and plantings now cover more than 100,000 ha.

As few other improved pasture species will persist on these deep sands the sandplain lupin provides an important source of summer feed for grazing livestock. A stand can be grazed throughout summer at stocking rates of 10 to …

Beefin : Maximizing Profits From Feeding Beef Cattle Out Of Season, R G. Grieve, David Barker, Jim May

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

BEEFIN is a computer model that formulates profit maximising diets for finishing beef cattle to a specified carcass weight and fat thickness. It predicts cattle growth rate, feed conversion ratio, final liveweight, number of days on feed and the amount of available feedstuffs required to finish cattle to specification, The diets fulfil the animal's energy, protien, mineral and roughage requirements.

BEEFIN also calculates a profit and loss budget for the enterprise, performs a sensitivity analysis on changes in the price for both cattle and feed and determines the changes in feed prices needed before the composition of the diet is …

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.

Choosing A Calcium Supplement For Sheep Fed Cereal Grains, R L. Peet, Michael Hare

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

Sheep fed cereal grains as an energy source over summer usually need added calcium because cereal grains are generally low in calcium (for example, 0.03 per cent calcium compared to 0.26 per cent phosphorus), and there may not be a natural source such as clover, weeds, leafy stubble or edible bush in the paddock.

The safestt and most effective calcium supplement is finely ground limestone added to the feed, but some farmers have used other sources of calcium such as gypsum and superphosphate in this manner.

Farmers' Estimations Of Sheep Weights To Calculate Drench Dose, R B. Besier, Diane Hopkins

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

Undersosing with drenches is a mojor cause of anthelmintic (drench) resistance in worm parasites of sheep.

When farmers use a drench at less than the recommended dose rate, some worms may survive, and their ability to resist treatment with the chemical involved is passed to their offspring. Over a period of time, matings between worms with different degrees of resistance can produce individuals able to resist the drench at the recommended dose rate or even higher.

Farmers must use adequate dose rates so that worms do not have a chance to survive treatment.

Evaluation Of The Crack Approach For The Control Of Drench Resistance In Sheep Worms, J R. Edwards, Helen Chapman, Jon Dunsmore

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

The Department of Agriculture launched the CRACK approach to worm control in September 1985 in response to finding that anthelmintic (drench) resistant worms were present on 68 per cent of a random selection of Western Australian sheep farms.

The high cost of internal parasites in terms of lost production and drench costs, together with the high prevalence of resistant worms of farms, confirmed that changes were needed to existing parasite control measures in sheep.l

Intensive Animal Industries In The Peel-Harvey Catchment, R W. Payne

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

The Swan coastal plain to the north and south of Perth is attractive for the intensive production of pigs and poultry for several reasons. It is close to markets, feed manufacturers and labour; has a less extreme climate than inland areas; and is underlain by a large reserve of high quality groundwater.

Because these are all intensive operations, large quantaties of nutrient-rich waste are produced over a very small area. They can severely damage ground and surface waters unless steps are taken to control the wastes which they produce.

This article oulines both the nature of intensive aniamal industries in …

Capretto : A New Meat Industry, R J. Suiter

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

Capretto is the term the Italians use for the meat from a goat upto 20 weeks old. For centuries goat meat has featured on tables from the Mediterranean to asia and the Pacific Islands.

Western Australian premium quality capretto has a dressed weight of between 6 and 1kg. Its pinkish flesh is tender and leaner than sheep meat, so it's ideal for the health conscious.

This article describes a market development programme undertaken by the Department of Agriculture's Goat Industry Development Unit (GIDU) and the Australian Cashmere Growers Association's (ACGA) Meat Marketing Committee to establish a premium market for capretto …

Weaning Kimberley Cattle Pays Off, D Pratchett, Stuart Young

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

Research results show that weaning Kimberley calves when they reach 140kg liveweight is one way of increasing herd productivity by changing management practices. However, removing the bulls from the breeding herd, rather than running them with the cows ywear round as is the practice, does not increase branding percentage.

Direct Selling Is A Plus For Cattle Producers, P G. Frapple

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

The aim when marketing cattle is to maximise the net return with the minimum level of risk. To do this a producer needs an accurate description of the stock for sale and information on the likely gross returns and costs of selling through the different marketing systems.

Since producers' selling costs and processors' buying costs are lower in direct sales, it is more likely that net returns from direct delivery will be higher.

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.

New Initiatives In Processing Australian Sheep Skins, P G. Frapple

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

Australia's exports of 313 million preserved sheep and lamb skins were valued at $A261.2 million FOB (free on board) in 1986-87. Just over 40 per cent (13.1 million) of these skins went to France for fellmongering, which is the process of removing wool from skins, leaving a bare pelt suitable for tanning. The balance went to other countries including Yugoslavia, Spain and West Germany, mainly for tanning with the wool on.

Fox Attacks On Cashmere Goats, John L. Long, Peter Mawson, Peter Hubach, Neville Kok

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

Since the fox arrived in Western Australia from South Australia in the early 1900s it has preyed on our native animals and domestic livestock, traditionally lambs and poultry. With the establishment of a Cashmere goat industry in the State, the potential exists for the fox to become an even greater problem.

Control Of Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis In Goats, T M. Ellis

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

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis, CAE for short, is the name given to a disease complex in goats, one form of which, 'big knee', has been recognized in dairy goats in Australia since the late 1950s. There are many forms of this progressive disease, all of which result in premature culling in milking goats

Cereal Straw And Stubble For Sheep Feed, E M. Aitchison

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

Many farmers in Western Australia run sheep in addition to their cropping programmes. The resulting cereal straws and stubbles are therefore important as sheep feed during summer and autumn. During this period the diet must provide sufficient energy to maintain liveweight, but additional energy and protein may be required for young stock and pregnant or lactating ewes, and to reduce problems from tender wool.

What Are The Costs Of Running Goats?, P P. Eckersley

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

No abstract provided.

The Potential For The Development Of The Goat Fibre And Meat Industries, R W. Kelly

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

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Cattle Types For The East Kimberley, David Pratchett, Mick Carrick, Stuart Young

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

The first cattle to be introduced to Western Australia's Kimberley region arrived at Ord River Station in 1884, after Nathaniel Buchanan had walked 4000 head of Shorthorn cattle overland from Queensland, on behalf of the owners, Osmond and Panton.

In the early years of the Kimberley pastoral industry the virgin pastures allowed stock numbers to increase rapidly. Little consideration was given to stock or rangeland management, or to whezther other types of cattle could be raised for improved production.

The Department of Agriculture started a comprehensive trail at Ord Regeneration Research Station (previously Ord River Station) in 1980 to evaluate …

The Western Australian Sheep Skin Industry, P G. Frapple

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

Sheep skins are a by-product of livestock production and slaughter. Their supply is determined largely by the demand for meat, rather than the demand for leather and leather products. As a result, skin prices fluctuate widely, as happened from April to June, 1988.

Analysing Feeds For Cattle, Sheep And Goats, D J. Barker

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

The Department of Agriculture's Feed Evaluation Unit at Bunbury provides a service for farmers and allied industries on a fee-for-service basis, and conducts analyses for research officers, advisers and organisations such as the University ofWestern Australia. It also analyses feedstuffs for Departments of Agriculture in other States.

The Unit analyses about 5000 samples each year. The work load is high because no other laboratory in Western Australia provides the same service. Results are recorded on a computer which makes it easy t6o retrieve results of analyses of particular types of feedstuffs or froma particular owner or district.

Live Sheep Exports : Market Update, E J. O'Loughlin

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

The live sheep export trade has made an important contribution to the Western Australian sheep industry, with the value of exports peaking at $100 million f.o.b. in 1980-81. In that year Western Australia accounted for 61 per cent of the value of Australian exports of live sheep. In addition, the growth of the live export industry has contribuited to higher prices for other catagories of sheep than would otherwise have been the case.

Dairy Herd Recording, R D. Maughan, Frank Treasure

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

Fifty-five percent or 320 of Western Australia's daity farmers participate in the dairy herd recording, the highest percentage of dairy farmers who use herd recording in any Australian State.

Herd recording provides the dairy farmer with an accurate measure and record of individual caw and hers performance. Information on milk, fat and protein production, the level of mastitis infection and breeding values assists the dairy farmer with his herd management and selection of cows. The herd recording facility is provided by the Herd Improvement Service and the fees are based on an annual herd fee and a lactation fee for …

Herd Improvement Service Forges Ahead, M P. Bond

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

Since its establishment three years ago, the Herd Improvement Service has steadily expanded the range of services provided to Western Australian livestock producers. The genetic advancement and improved hers management offered by the service give farmers the ability to use modern technology in the most cost-effective way. There is an increasing realisation amongst farmers that to survive and remain competitive, it is worthwhile to invest in such technology.

The Herd Improvement Service is a statutory corporation which was formed to improve the productivity of the State's livestock enterprises. Most of the organisation's activities have been directed to servicing the dairy …

Survival Of Lambs, R W. Kelly, David Lindsay

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

Between one in every five or six lambs that are born each year in Western Australia die at or about the time of birth. This represents a loss approaching two million lambs and is arguably out single greatest wastage in sheep production. The deaths have an immediate impact on lambing performance and therefore lamb sales, and ultimately effects on such areas as selection of breeding replacement stock, the proportion of ewes and weathers that can be run in a self-replacing flock and the amount of wool produced and its uality.

This article summarises information on what influences lamb survival, and …

Barber's Pole Worm : A New Solution, R B. Besier

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

Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) has been a major problem to the sheep industry for many years. About ten million sheep graze in Western Australia's high rainfall areas where barber's pole worm is prevalent, and the annual cost of losses and control totals millions of dollars each year.

Research in progress in Albany now offers the prospect of prolomged and reliable control of barber's pole worm, by means of few drench treatments.

The Awassi Fat Tail Sheep Project, R J. Lightfoot

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

Australia's first Awassi fat tail lambs arrived at Kununurra in January 1987, completing the first major step in an ambitious project to establish a fat tail sheep breeding industry in this country.

Fat tail sheep bred in the Middle East attract much higher prices than merino wethers imported from Australia. The question to be resolved through our product development and market research is what premiums will Middle Eastern buyers pay for fat tail sheep bred in Australia and exported to the region.

The Department of Agriculture believes that there is potential for Sustralian producers to enter these new markets without …

Sheep Lice : Prospects For Eradication, F C. Wilkinson

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

Sheep biting lice have been controlled over the past 86 years in Western australia by a combination of routine insecticidal treatment after shearing and action by the department of Agriculture officers under legislation.

In July 1987 the sheep industry and the State Government will implement a plan to eradicate lice from sheep flocks in the agricultural areas and eventually in the pastoral areas. To achieve this the co-operation of many sectors of the industry will be required. Assuming co-operation is forthcoming, it is possible that by 1996 wool from agricultural areas will be free of lice and insecticidal treatment form …

Dust Elimination From Outdoor Feedlots For Sheep, D J. Carter

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

The humble woodchip, widwly used as a soil mulch in Western Australian gardens, is set tto take a new role as a dust inhibito in assembly yards used to hold live sheep for export.

Research by the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service Branch has shown that, of the materials tested, woodchips were the most effective in preventing dust being generated. Wind speeds had to approach a "near gale" before dust developedfrom the protected soil.

The use of woodchips, therefore, provides a practical alternative to stabalising the soil and preventing an environmental problem associated with one of the State's valuable …