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Western Australian Primary Industry And Fisheries Portfolios - Major Achievements 1993 - 1996, Department Of Primary Industry And Fisheries, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

AGRICULTURE and fishing were WA's first industries. Farm production in particular, was the State's economic mainstay for many years. It re1mains crucial lo our prosperity, and its future holds enormous potential.

As well as employment and income, agriculture and fisheries provide important recreation and landscape opportunities for our highly urbanised population, rural communities and international visitors. Recreational fishing- which is extremely popular - and the emerging farm tourism industry arc direct beneficiaries of strategics developed for sustainable primary industries.

Fisheries Research Report No 108 - Aspects Of The Biology And Stock Assessment Of The Whitebait, Hyperlophus Vittatus,In South Western Australia, D. J. Gaughan, W. J. Fletcher, R J. Tregonning, J. Goh

Fisheries Research Reports

The biology, distribution and stock size of whitebait along the lower west coast of Western Australia were studied between 1991 and 1994. Age, growth and reproductive biology of whitebait were investigated using samples collected from the commercial fishery. The distribution of adult whitebait and their main spawning times were determined using data on eggs that were caught in plankton samples. Aspects of the population dynamics of whitebait were investigated by examining the relationships of historical catch data with fishing effort and some environmental parameters.

Whitebait are a small species with most growth occurring in the first year (K = I. …

Fisheries Research Report No 107 - Chemical Composition Of Yabbies (Cherax Albidus Clark 1936) From Western Australian Farm Dams, Kevin A. Francesconi, Noel M. Morrissy

Fisheries Research Reports

Proximate analyses, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, mineral composition and heavy metal and pesticide residues have been determined for tail muscle from Cherax albidus Clark 1936 (the yabby), sampled from Western Australian farm dams. The proximate analysis values for water, protein, ash, carbohydrate and energy content and the amino acid and fatty acid profiles of yabby tail muscle were similar to those reported for other decapods. Fat levels were low and, hence, cholesterol was very low in tail meat. Organochlorine pesticides were undetectable and heavy metal residues were well below maximum permitted concentrations for human consumption.

Time Of Lambing: Extension Manual, Keith Croker, Ian Mcfarland

Agriculture reports

No abstract provided.

Fisheries Research Report No 105 - The Western Rock Lobster Fishery 1986/87 To 1990/91, C. F. Chubb, E. H. Barker, R. S. Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

This report on the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus, George 1962) fishery covers the five seasons 1986/87 to 1990/91 and is the latest in a series of reports on the State's largest and most valuable fishery. While more detailed data bases exist, these reports form a historical record of basic data for use by both industry and research workers, now and in the future. Catch and fishing effort in the seasons (1986/87 to 1990/91) varied between 8500 and 12300 tonnes and 11.3 and 12.8 million pot lifts respectively. This report provides detail on the distribution of catches and fishing effort; …

Fisheries Research Report No 104 - Assessment Of The Effects Of A Trial Period Of Unattended Recreational Netting In Selected Estuaries Of Temperate Western Australia, Between 1 January 1994 And 30 June 1995, R. C. Lenanton, R. Allison, Sg Ayvazian

Fisheries Research Reports

Gill nets have been used in coastal marine and estuarine waters of Western Australia to take fish for sale and/or domestic consumption since the State was first settled. However, over recent years, as the usage of these coastal waters has continued to increase, and the competition for fish resources becomes more intense, fishing methods, such as unattended gill nets that are indiscriminate with respect to target species, and generally ,wasteful of resources have become less tolerated by the general community.

As part of a push for tighter controls on the use of recreational gill nets, a requirement for fishers to …

State Of The Fisheries Report 1994/1995, Fisheries Department Of Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

This State ofFisheries document is designed to be used as an adjunct to the Annual Report. This year is the first year that this document has been presented in this format. It is envisaged that the State of Fisheries document will be an annual report giving specific details on all fisheries of major importance to the commercial, recreational and aquaculture sectors of Western Australia. The State ofFisheries contains details such as landings, effort, catch rates, stock assessment, breeding stock levels and catch forecasts where possible. The data in this document are of the last full year (12 months) available to …

Forty Years Of Rangeland Research In The Meekatharra And Wiluna Districts (1956-1996), Andrew Thomson, John Morrissey

Agriculture reports

This document is an account of the research undertaken by this Branch over the past 40 years, and it provides a general explanation of the results. It also includes descriptions of many of the Land Conservation District projects at Meekatharra and Wiluna. A number of trials and community based projects from other districts relevant to this publication have also been included as supplementary information.

Bulletin No 4315 - Western Australian Agricultural & Fishery Exports At A Glance...1995/96, Graeme Robertson Dr, P. P. Rogers

Bulletins 4000 -

Second edition (revised and updated) January 1997.

Western Australia's economic growth and high productivity is based on a well established export-oriented economy that relies heavily on primary production.

Our abundant and diverse range of agricultural and fish products is supported by highly innovative and dynamic primary industries. These are backed by modern financial and physical infrastructure.

Western Australia's agricultural industries and fisheries have an international reputation for a professional approach to business and a proven track record in producing and supplying food and fibre products of consistently high quality. Clean air, unpolluted oceans and waterways, and abundant quality farmland are …

Sheep Blowflies Strike Out!, David F. Cook, Ian Dadour, Ernie Steiner

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

Woolgrowers are constantly concerned that the sheep blowfly may be able to breed in sheep or other animal carcasses. David Cook, Ian Dadour and Ernis Steiner report on an experiment that answers that question once and for all.

Today's Woolgrowers : A Profile, Ian Mcfarland

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

Woolgrowers have been faced with fluctuating prices, a mix of seasons and rising production costs since the demise of the Floor Price Scheme in 1991. despite these difficult times, there are still very large differences in productivity and profitability between wool growing properties in Western Australia. Ian McFarland looksat production levels on wool growing properties in Western Australia and outlines some actions to lift productivity.

Drench Resistence : A Large Economic Cost, Brown Besier, Jill Lyon, Norm Mcquade

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

Drench restistant worms can cost sheep farmers a lot of money - more than most probably think. Brown Besier, Jill Lyon and Norm McQade discuss some new research that shows the value of conducting routine drench tests to ensure effective worm control.

Beef : Meating The Market, Greg Sawyer, Richard Morris, Geoff Tudor

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

Nearly half of Western Australia's beef production is consumed on the domestic market, but the scene is changing rapidly.

In this article Greg Sawyer, Richard Morris and Geoff Tudor review information on production systems performance, and carcase and quality measurements that may well serve wider market opportunities in the future.

Something Fishy Is Going On - Aquaculture, David Berry

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

Aquaculture id Australia's fastest growing primary industry. Product from fish farms is currently valued at $399 million, forecast to exceed $5oo million by 2000.

Whilst the figure pales into insignificance alongside world production (about $45 billion) it does represent a huge window of opportunity for prospective investors and for Australian primary producers who are keen to diversify.

David Berry reports on the prospects for yabbie and marron farming in Western Australia.

Virulent Footrot : Mild Or Severe?, Laurie Depiazzi

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

The footrot eradication scheme in Western Australia has resulted in a low prevalence of severe footrot.

To appreciate the achievement, we need to understand what exactly is being eradicated. 'S' strains of Dichelorbacter nodosus, the infectious bacterium of footrot, are the target of footrot eradication. Laurie Depiazzi examines the basis for eradicating 'S' strains.

Achievements In Wool, Agriculture Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Wool Strategy Group, which I initiated in 1993, works with Agriculture Western Australia's Wool Program to set the strategic directions for its activities. Chaired by Mr Philip Gardiner, it has members whose experience include fashion, marketing, financial markets, wool production, selling, as well as strong industry linkages. This document outlines the activities that the Group and the Program have been undertaking over the past 12 months.

The Chairman of the IWTO has recently suggested that Australian production in the coming years will be insufficient or not of the right specifications to supply market demands.

In order to assist Western …

Improving Dairy Farm Performance, Ruth Dilley

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

Western Austraian sairy farmers produce more milk per cow and per farm than their eastern Sttates counterparts and the milk is also of higher quality. But there is always room for improvement and as grain prices rise it is crucial that maximum benefit is derived from the cheapest feed source - the pasture.With this in mind Ruth Dilley looks at the Dairy Farm Performance Program - a comprihensive farm database developed by Agriculture Western Australia.

Influence Of Adjacent Seagrass On The Fish Assemblages Off Sandy Beaches, Matthew A. Vanderklift

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

As we attempt to maintain marine biodiversity mainly by focussing on habitats, we need to understand how marine biodiversity is affected by seagrass loss. Although managers and researchers widely acknowledge that habitat loss results in changes to marine biodiversity, quantitative knowledge of these changes is generally poor. In this study, fish assemblages (as one component of the biodiversity of sandy beaches) were examined in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, to assess patterns that may be related to presence or absence of adjacent seagrass beds, If consistent patterns are evident, they may enable predictions regarding the effects of seagrass loss on the …

Outdoor Pig Production In Western Australia. An On-Farm Study To Document Performance And Management Practices On Extensive Pig Farms., Roy Butler

All other publications

This paper presents data, collected between 1991 and 1995, relating to the management and performance of 10 extensive piggeries in the south west of Western Australia. The herd sizes varied from 15 to 73 sows and capital investment varied from $144 to $2,000 per sow. Labour costs also varied widely, from $84 to $996 per sow per year. Only 2 of the 10 herds exceeded the PigStats 95 average of 20.1 pigs weaned/sow/year. Pre-weaning mortality was high, and averaged 28.7%. Nine of the herds participated in the state Pig Health Monitoring Scheme and their pigs were inspected at slaughter to …

Uht Milk : Expanding The Market, Caroline Love, Ian Bell, Martin Robertson

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

An increase in the export of UHT (Ultra Heat Treated) milk to Asian markets is potentially worth millions of dollars to the dairy inmdustry. This increase however, relies on the shelf life of UHT products being extended to nine months. Spoilage of UHT milk can be caused by bacterial spores which originate on-farm and are resistant to processing. Expansion in the UHT market therefore relies on a continued reduction in the number of these spores getting into raw milk. Caroline Love, Ian Bell and Martin Robertson report on the sources of spores entering milk on-farm and the control methods available.

Progress Report : 1996 / Cattle Industry Compensation Act Research Advisory Committee., J Allen, J Heatherington, M Norton, B Mackintosh, W Standing

Research Reports

The Cattle Industry Compensation Fund was established under the Cattle Industry Compensation Aet 1965. Monies received on cattle sales by the Commissioner for State Taxation are paid into the Fund and matched by State Government appropriation.

Funds are held to compensate producers for losses incurred in disease eradication programs, to promote and encourage scientific research for improvement of cattle health and promotion and for purposes that, in the opinion of the Minister, will promote and encourage the cattle industry

An Advisory Committee, established by the Hon. Minister for Primary Industry makes recommendations for funding on a project basis. The Advisory …

Sustainable Worm Control In Sheep, Robert Wroth

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

Deciding on the best worm control program for your farm can be a complex matter, but guidelines in this article by Robert Wroth should make it simpler.

Pilbara Steer Growth Evaluation : 1994 - 1996, Wayne Fletcher, Brian Mcintyre, Shane Cridland Dr, J L. James

Agriculture reports

Growth potential of steers in the Pilbara - a summary. The trial was conducted over a range of conditions on three locations. The pasture type at Wyloo, the Ashburton River frontage, which is regarded as one of the most productive pasture types in the area, combined with conservative stocking, a fresh paddock and excellent seasonal conditions during 1995, gives us an indication of the District's potential. In extrapolating any of these data to other cases, consideration must be given to adjustment base

Registered Cultivars Of Subterranean Clover : Their Characteristics, Origin And Identification, W. J. Collins, Phil G. Nichols, M J. Barbetti, Co-Operative Research Centre For Legumes In Mediterranean Agriculture (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin updates Bulletin No. 4083, which was written in 1984. Since tat time 11 new subterranean clover cultivars have been released, making a total of 33. This Bulletin is largely applicable across all subterranean clover areas of Australia. However specific mention is made in the text to applications in Western Australia.

Processing Results Of Western Australian Wool, John Stanton A/Prof, Lindy Coss, Peter Metcalf

Technical Bulletins

Despite a perception by some that Western Australian wool "processes poorly", this study found that consignments processed : 1) into long tops suited for worsted weaving 2) into longer than predicted tops 3) with the same consistency as other Australian consignments.

Fisheries Research Report No 102 - A Review Of International Aquaculture Development And Selected Species In Environments Relevant To Western Australia, C. Lawrence

Fisheries Research Reports

This paper discusses aspects of aquaculture development in countries visited during an international study tour, with particular reference to implications for the developing aquaculture industry in Western Australia.

The reasons for aquaculture development, including protein production, employment, fisheries enhancement, tradition/religion, conservation and revenue are discussed from an international perspective, along with case histories and models of development undertaken outside Australia.

The potential benefits of developing an aquaculture industry within Australia are outlined and the relative costs and benefits of developing aquaculture of native aquatic species or imported species are discussed, including relevant examples of each.

A number of species of …

A Measure Of Justice For Western Australian Wools, John Stanton

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

Western Australian wools are sometimes perceived as inferior to those from eastern States, and this perception has often been reflected in price. For the first time a detailed comparison of the characteristics of our wool with the rest of the country has been undertaken. It shows that Western Australian wools are sometimes different from their eastern counterparts, but not necessarily 'inferior'. Overcoming these industry perceptions of inferiority is probably our biggest challenge, according to JOHN STANTON.

Value Of Saltbush Questioned, Brian Warren, Tess Casson, Ed Barrett-Lennard

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

Over the last 20 years the Department of Agriculture has focused on finding plant species that can grow on salt/and to produce sheep feed, and on techniques for establishing plantations of saltbushes. Some research has been in response to farmer reports of success in using revegetated salt/and to provide autumn forage, while other work has resulted from the apparent importance of saltbushes in rangeland areas.

Objective measurements of wool production have been taken only recently. Three years research at Katanning indicates that while saltbush material is selected and eaten by sheep, its value for wool production is not high. It …

Beefing Up Our Prospects, Trevor Boughton, Brad Mccormick

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

In the global fish pond the Western Australian beef industry is a minnow. Production is only 5.5 per cent of Australia's total and around 2 per cent that of the United States. Our output has remained static for the last decade while competition throughout the world has expanded. Moving forward to share the benefits of growing world markets or being left behind is the long-term choice facing the industry, according to TREVOR BOUGHTON and BRAD McCORMICK.

Biotechnology : Exposing The Myths & Realities, Sue Sutherland, Alan Lymbery

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

Biotechnology has become one of the buzz words of the 1990s. Sounds impressive but what's it all about? Sue Sutherland and Alan Lymbery unravel some of the jargon and explore its potential for Western Australian agriculture.