Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Bulletin 3955 - The Sheep Skin Industry In W.A., H. E. Fels

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The sheep skin industry is larger than most people realise. Its importance is shown by F.O.B. values of sheep skin exports from Australia in 1972/73, compared with sheep meats, wheat and iron ore,

F.O.B, values of exports - Australia, 1972/73

Sheep skins, with and without wool on $110 million

Mutton and lamb Exports $119 million

Wheat $274 million

Iron ore and concentrates $439 million

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 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 …

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

Partial Budgeting For Sheep Farmers, J W. Malcolm

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

A Programmed Text.

A Programmed instruction workbook.

*The first 11 pages are adapted from J.B. Bardsley's "How to make more profit on dairy farms".

This book is designed to show you how to draw up partial budgets.

If you are like most farmers you are probably searching for different ways of running your farm to increase farm income. Choices between alternatives are very difficult, and require a great deal of careful thought and planning, especially where large cash outlays are involved. But to decide how, where and what to produce with any confidence you need to consider all the physical …

Sheep Liver Copper Levels, J W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Introduction.

Our knowledge, and consequently our advise to farmers on the needs for copper fertilizers in the wheatbelt have been largely based on thoses of plants - cereals in particular. For one thing, definitive experimentation is easier with cereals than sheep.

Discussion.

Interpretation.

Appendix.

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.

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

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.

Stock Brands And Movement Act, M R. Gardiner

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

ALL livestock owners in W.A. should understand the main provisions of the new Stock Brands and Movement Act which comes into force on January 1, 1972.

Rationing Standing Crops To Sheep, H E. Fels

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

This experiment was done at Merredin Research Station to develop and test a method of rationing standing crops to sheep, and also to find whether rationing would reduce the sheep's water consumption.

The experiment involved 60 sheep on 12 one-acre plots of drought affected Gamenya wheat.

Hydatid Disease In Western Australia, G C De Chaneet

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

BECAUSE hydatid disease is a disease of humans as well as animals, every dog owner should be aware of the conditions that perpetuate hydatids and the methods of control.

The incidence of hydatids in Western Australia in the past has not been high.

However, the increase in sheep numbers over recent years, together with the intensification of farming methods, may lead to a rise in incidence unless stock owners, particularly sheep farmers, take steps to control the disease.

High Pre-Mating Liveweights Improve The Lambing Performance Of Merino Ewes, R J. Suiter

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

Analysis of lambing trials with Merino ewes has shown a highly significant association between pre-mating liveweight and lambing performance.

With May-June lambing ewes there was a 2.9 per cent, lambing increase for every extra 10 lb. liveweight; for July-August- September lambing ewes there was a 6.9 per cent, increase for every 10 lb. liveweight increase.

With the May-June lambing there was a critical weight below which twinning was negligible.

Maintaining Ewe Bodyweight For A Late Mating, T Marshall

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE experiments have indicated that the bodyweight of ewes at mating can have a large bearing on lambing performance.

It appears that for every 10 lb. increase in pre-mating bodyweight, an increase of some 3 to 6 per cent, lambs born could be expected, depending on the lambing time.

Prime Lamb Production In Western Australia : A Review Of The Development Of The Prime Lamb Industry In Western Australia, R J. Suiter

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

PRIME LAMB production in Western Australia has evolved into an industry based almost entirely on the local market.

This has not always been the case. In the 1930-40 era a substantial proportion of the State's prime lamb production was exported to the United Kingdom.

During this era the industry was equally dependent on exports and local market.

Choosing Your Lambing Time, T Marshall

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

SHEEP, pastures and labour are the major resources of the sheep enterprise but their productivity is greatly affected by the timing of operations associated with them.

This article discusses how the lambing time can be chosen to get maximum use from each resource.

Superphosphate Deficiency Raises Pasture Oestrogens, H G. Neil, T. Marshall

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

A recent field experiment on established pastures at Esperance Downs Research Station has demonstrated a relationship between superphosphate application, pasture oestrogens and oestrogenic response in sheep.

Results of the experiment indicate that on phosphate deficient soils carrying oestrogenic clovers, the levels of oestrogenic materials in the pasture are increased if superphosphate applications are below those recommended for healthy pasture growth.

Causes Of Low Lambing Percentages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

West Australian Merino flocks average about 70 per cent, lambs marked each year. Reasons for this low percentage are that as many as 30 per cent, of ewes do not lamb, twinning rates are low and from 10 to 25 per cent, of lambs born die.

Among the research projects by the Department of Agriculture's Sheep and Wool Branch have been a number directed at the various stages of reproduction in the ewe. These have given some important leads on the causes of low lambing percentages.

If you have marked less than 60 per cent, lambs in the past several …

Experiments With Urea On Private Farms, R J. Parkin, G. Palmer, A. Haagensen, L. D. White, R. J. Suiter, H. E. Fels

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

Many District Advisers have carried out trials on private farms to test the response to a variety of types of supplementary feeds. This report gives brief details of five such experiments carried out with urea supplements over the last five years. Table 1 summarises the details and results of these trials.

The Economics Of Transition In Farming, G D. Oliver

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

UNSTABLE income is a constant farm hazard. In addition to uncertainties like over production, obsolescence, rising costs and changes in consumer tastes which menace manufacturing industries, the farmer also has to contend with yield fluctuations arising from climatic conditions over which he has no control.

Water Storage Has Not Kept Pace With Stock Numbers : South Stirling Survey Finding, A L. Prout

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

RESULTS of a survey on water storage capacity in the South Stirlings area indicate that farm water storage has not kept pace with increased clearing and stock numbers.

This has resulted in many farmers requesting advice on water conservation projects following two consecutive years of low rainfall runoff.

Shed Lambing In The Esperance Environment, T Marshall, F. F. Dixon

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

Neonatal lamb mortality is often high in Western Australia and losses as high as 33 per cent, have been recorded on private properties in the Esperance area. Surveys by Western Australian Department of Agriculture officers have indicated that more than threequarters of such lamb deaths occur after birth. About half these deaths result from the combined effects of weather and mismothering.

Work in Victoria has indicated that lamb mortality may be reduced by intensive lambing systems such as shedding and this trial was established to see if shedding could reduce lamb mortality in the Esperance environment.

Two Seasonal Wool Problems, A Ingleton

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

CLASSING TENDER WOOL AND SHORT STAPLE WOOL.

Coccidiosis In Lambs On The South Coast, A J. Hadlow

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

Outbreaks of coccidiosis among autumn-born lambs on the south coast have approached epidemic proportions this year.

Similar outbreaks are likely among late winter-spring born lambs. This article describes the disease and suggests measures for prevention and treatment.

Sheep Worm Control And Lambing Time In High Rainfall Areas, F C. Wilkinson

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

Indications from a continuing sheep trial at Margaret River are that farmers in high rainfall areas could increase stocking rates and lamb growth rates by lambing in September- October rather than July-August.

The results also indicate that farmers in the area may be spending more than necessary on worm control.

Bulletin No 3609 - Land Development In The South Eastern Wheatbelt, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Interest in the development of light lands in the south-eastern wheatbelt was spurred by the many ex-servicemen seeking farms after the 1939-45 World War.

Previous attempts to develop this area had been frustrated by poor crop yields, and by the poor carrying capacity of those volunteer pastures which developed on cleared land.

Research into reasons for the poor crop results was begun in 1948-49 with trials sown by Messrs Smith and Halpin between Borden and Lake Grace. The results clearly showed the important role played by copper and zinc in successful crop growth. Since then, field trials have been conducted …

Lamb Mortality On Agricultural Research Stations, K P. Croker

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

Progress report of a study of lamb losses in experimental flocks on Department of Agriculture research stations in the agricultural areas.

THE major barrier to increased production by the West Australian sheep and wool industry is the shortage of sheep in the agricultural areas of the State, and much research has been directed towards overcoming this shortage.

Wheat In Development Programmes For New Esperance Farmers, R J. Doyle, G. D. Oliver

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

IN the December, 1967, issue of the Journal of Agriculture, we reported on five development budgets for the Esperance region.

The aim of the exercise was to find out if a new settler concentrating on sheep, with $20,000 available for development after acquisition of land, could make a reasonable living for himself and his family while developing his farm.

Land Resource Evaluation - Ninety Mile Tank Report On Trials Conducted 1968, 1969 And 1970 By Plant Research Division And Wheat And Sheep Division, J W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

In the late 1920's the seven million acres of virgin land between Hyden and Salmon Gums were considered for settlement under the "3,500 farms scheme" because it constituted "practically the only large area of wheat lands in a suitable climatic zone not then settled in Australia" (Teakle 1939). At that time the sandy scrubplain soils were more a liability than an asset because methods of profitably farming the light soils had not then been evolved. These useless scrubplains merely increased the distances between patches of' more f'ertile soils. The scheme for settlement was based mainly on the potential of' the …