Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Twinning Increases Production, K P. Croker

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

Many breeders claim that twinning causes too many losses among Merino lambs and does not favour breeding for twin lamb production.

But recent experiments have proved otherwise and agricultural scientists now agree that . . .

TWINNING INCREASES PRODUCTION

THE low marking percentages regularly recorded for Merino flocks suggest that the Merino is a relatively infertile breed.

Certainly, lambing percentages are low when compared with those of most British breeds of sheep.

Do You Know This Disease [Scabby Mouth], F C. Wilkinson

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

This sheep is showing rather severe lesions of "scabby mouth" a disease widely distributed in both the pastoral and agricultural areas.

Sheep Or Beef Cattle?, G D. Oliver

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

THE present sustained high meat prices and the moderately low wool prices have caused many farmers to think again about the relative profitability of sheep and beef cattle.

With synthetic fibres continuing to threaten the wool price a changeover from sheep to beef cattle must be seriously exercising the minds of many woolgrowers.

Warning : Footrot Threatens South-West Sheep Industry, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

DURING the past few months footrot has appeared in sheep in the South-West in an area extending from Busselton southwards to Kudardup.

This area has only recently been stocked with sheep which have been purchased from many sources.

It is probable that there were a few "carriers" amongst these introduced sheep, and that under the favourable conditions of the South-West the infection was able to develop and spread and then to declare itself in clinical form.

Classing Your Own Clip, J Reilly

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

One of the most important activities in the Australian wool industry is the preparation of the clip for sale.

Many growers class their own clips and due to this practice they can reduce production costs.

Reproductive Wastage And The Sheep Shortage In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WESTERN AUSTRALIA has an acute shortage of sheep.

It is estimated that about seven million extra sheep are needed to stock existing pastures fully; meanwhile the carrying capacity of the State's pastures is increasing at the rate of three million sheep a year.

Continuous Grazing On Rose Clover At Northampton, R J. Parkin

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

BECAUSE of its upright growth habit, it is often thought that rose clover may require some form of specialised grazing management.

It has also been said that the sheep find the plant and in particular the seed head, undesirable in the dry stages.

However, more recent observations refute this (Bailey 1966). The present commonly-grown strains of rose clover are later flowering generally than the medics or Geraldton subterranean clover and stay green later in the season.

Alive-Stiff-Dead [Tetanus], F C. Wilkinson

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

Only 12 hours before this photograph was taken the lamb pictured was alive and healthy.

When examined it was very stiff and unable to stand. A few hours later it was dead.

Hypocalcaemia In Sheep, J Craig

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

Hypocalcaemia can cause trouble among in-lamb and lactating ewes, especially if they are grazing lush pasture or young cereal crops.

Dry sheep can also be affected. The disease can be confused with pregnancy toxaemia.

. . . A timely reminder issued by Senior Veterinary Surgeon J. Craig.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Sheep Management Calendar For Lambing On Green Feed, H E. Fels, J. A. C. Smith

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

The calendar contained in this article has been drawn up by officers of the Wheat and Sheep Division as a guide to farmers who plan to adopt July-August lambing.

The article also summarises the advantages and complications of later lambing (as opposed to the conventional autumn lambing) and discusses farm management programmes to deal with the problems in various districts.

Sheep Can Be More Profitable In The Wheatbelt, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

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

TRADITIONALLY, wheatbelt farmers have looked upon sheep as being subsidiary, or at best, complementary to their main activity, wheat growing.

Because there has been a mistaken belief that clover would not grow, these farmers have depended upon native grasses and crop remains (stubble) for sheep feed, a practice which has put a limit to the number of sheep a property could support.

Sheep Breeding Problems In W.A. : The Industry's View, Stanley M. Dennis

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

IN 1963 a short questionnaire was distributed to farmers and pastoralists seeking information about sheep breeding problems and lamb losses.

This was a fore-runner to the Department of Agriculture survey into the causes of abortion and lamb mortality which is reported elsewhere in this issue.

Time Of Lambing At Esperance, R J. Doyle

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

ESPERANCE is one of the few places in Western Australia at which experiments over three years have shown a definite improvement in number of lambs produced to marking, as a result of lambing in the August-September period.

Weed Control : Cotton Fireweed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

COTTON FIREWEED is a native perennial plant which has developed as a serious weed in the south coastal areas.

Being a perennial it makes quick, active growth following summer rains and rapidly outgrows annual pasture plants.

Have You A Lambing Problem?, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Here are the steps you should take if you have or suspect a breeding problem in your flocks.

How To Identify Twin-Born Lambs, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

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

IN the past few years it has become widely accepted that the ability to produce twin or multiple lambs is a heritable characteristic.

This means that breeding from sheep born as twins should give more multiple births and higher lambing percentages than breeding from sheep born as single lambs.

Sharpening And Care Of Mulesing Shears, A L. Jones

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

THIS year will probably see more sheep mulesed in Western Australia than ever before.

It is not surprising, therefore, that some improvements have been made to the standard mulesing shears.

New modified shears make mulesing easier —but they must be properly sharpened.

How To Care For Orphan Lambs, Stanley M. Dennis

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

WITH the current high price and shortage of sheep in W.A., farmers might consider the bother of artificially rearing orphan lambs more worthwhile than before.