Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Sheep Updates 2007 - Part 3, Andrew Ritchie, Edward Riggall, James Hall, Gus Rose, Johan Greeff, John Young, M. Alchin, M. Young, T. Johnson, John Lucy, Martin Staines, Tim Wiley, Rob Grima, Sandra Prosser, Matt Ryan, Geoff Moore, Tony Albertsen, Phil Barrett-Lennard, George Woolston, John Titerington, Sarah Knight, Brianna Peake

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors:

PROFITABILITY

1. Benchmarking demonstrates both the potential and realised productivity gains in the sheep and wool industry, Andrew Ritchie, Edward Riggall and James Hall, ICON Agriculture, Darkan

2. Improving sheep genetics will increase farm profitability, Gus Rose, Johan Greeff Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, John Young Farming Systems Analysis Service, WA

3. Meat, Merinos and making money in WA Pastoral Zone, M. Alchin, M. Young and T. Johnson, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia,

GRAZING

4. Nitrogen - farmers' friend or foe? John Lucy and Martin Staines, Department …

Lupin Stubbles : Getting The Best With Weaner Sheep, Keith Croker, Colin Mcdonald, Jeremy Allen

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

Sweet lupins are now grown on about a million hectares in Western Australia each year. If half of the State's seven million weaners were grazed as recommended on half of the lupin stubbles, it could generate about $15 million from reduced supplementary feeding, greater wool production and other advantages. But correct management is important, particularly knowing when to take weaners out. Research by the Department over the last five years is now indicating how this should be done.

Studies On Times Of Lambing In Ewes Grazing Subterranean Clover Based Pastures In Relation To Stocking Rates In South-Western Australia, H Lloyd Davies

Technical Bulletins

The investigation is reported in six parts: effect on ewe liveweight and fertility, lamb losses, effect on lamb growth and subsequent growth after weaning, wool production, pasture production and composition, and conclusions and practical implications. The results show that in the absence of supplementary feeding the physiological requirements of ewes in late pregnancy are better met by spring rather than autumn lambing.

Erosion Risks With High Stocking Rates At Kojonup Trial, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A pasture grazing trial at Kojonup dramatically illustrated the effects of Cyclone Alby. Severe erosion was evident on the heavily stocked plots while the more lightly stocked plots showed little damage.

Super And Stocking Rates At Kojonup After 10 Years, J W. Bowden, B. Scurr, R. Glencross, K. Longbottom

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

A Department of Agriculture trial on old land at Kojonup has been comparing rates of superphosphate and stocking of sheep for 10 years.

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.

The Effects Of Shearing Time And Stocking Rate On Wool Production, R J. Lightfoot

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

THE results of the first experiment comparing "autumn" versus "spring" shearing over a two-year period were published in 1960.

In this experiment the autumn-shorn ewes cut heavier greasy fleeces (even though they also reared considerably more lambs) with less tender wool, resulting in a higher average return per head from this group.

The autumn-shorn wool carried more seed, was less attractive and contained relatively more pieces than did the spring-shorn wool.

Stocking Rates On Cyprus Barrel Medic In The Northern Wheatbelt, R J. Parkin

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

IN May 1963, some three weeks after germination, a 4th year stand of Cyprus barrel medic was stocked with Merino wethers.

These same sheep are still grazing the area after three years.

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.

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.

Stocking Rate And Wool Production At Kojonup, Davies H. Lloyd, A. W. Humphries

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

RESEARCH workers in several parts of the world have recognised the overriding importance of stocking rate in raising animal production per acre.

This article describes some of the initial work on the effect of stocking rate on wool production and liveweight change in medium-Peppin Merino sheep.

The work was carried out at the C.S.I.R.O. "Glen Lossie" Field Station at Kojonup, Western Australia.

Set Stocking Has A Place In Soil Conservation Farming, J E. Watson

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

Set stocking of sheep at increased stocking rates is rapidly becoming popular with farmers in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

But will set stocking increase soil erosion hazards? It should do just the reverse, according to Soil Conservation Adviser J. E. Watson, B.Sc, who claims that set stocking has a place in soil conservation farming.