Genetics Commons^™

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 …

More Lambs By Mating Weaners, R J. Suiter

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

Farmers can increase sheep numbers by mating ewe weaners. Trials have shoen that this does not affect the later performance of these ewes.

Poultry Breeds Must Be Conserved : An Ideal Small Unit, R H. Morris

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

The Department of Agriculture is concerned at the rapid disapearance of some poultry breeds and strains over recent years. This trend has resulted from the disposal of flocks previously held by commercial poultry breeders and fanciers.

One way to stop the trend of disappearance of poultry breeds is for interested people to maintain a breeding flock of pure-bred poultry, making the progeny available to others.

This article describes a small unit suitable for housing breeding fowls. The unit is based on designs developed by the Department of Agriculture.

The Feral Goat Herd Of Faure Island, W H J Clarke

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

For just on a century there has existed on Faure Island, off the mid Western Australian coast, a herd of white feral goats.

The fleece of these animals, while similar in appearance to Angora mohair, has characteristics which somewhat resemble the luxury fibre cashmere, in that it comprises a fine dense undercoat, which sheds in early spring, as well as the hairy outcoat typical of all goat breeds except the Angora.

As there is little, if any, shedding in second or subsequent crosses, it would appear that the mating of Faure Island feral goats with traditional Angoras (or off-spring of …

Objective Measurement And The Stud Breeder, B R. Beetson

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

The movement towards sale of wool by certificate and sample highlights the significance of objective measurement in the Merino stud breeders' selection of his top rams.

This article suggests how stud breeders should use the Department of Agriculture's Flock Testing Service to gain genetic progress in wool producing ability without loss of visual buyer appeal.

Studs' use of the service will be evaluated in 1974.

New Cattle Breeds : How Do We Use Them?, J L. Anderson

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

Traditionally, beef production in Australia has been based on a few of the many breeds that developed in the United Kingdom. Pedigree breeding was used to maintain these breeds and was probably a sound policy, when combined with selection on performance, to maintain and concentrate merit in stud herds.

Emphasis on pure breeding has caused many prejudices against the practices of mixing and selection which were the original bases of breed formation.

Despite the adaptation of British breeds to the various environments in Australia there was, and still is, continuous interest in introducing other breeds of cattle to improve beef …

Sheep Meat Production Trial, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Better understanding of Middle- East, European and Asian market requirements for Australian sheep has influenced the design of a large meat production trial at Avondale Research Station.

The trial will supply basic information on sheep meat production and involves examples of breed types available in Western Australia and capable of supplying young, lean animals all the year round.

Cancer Eye Of Cattle, M R. Gardiner, J. L. Anderson, D. E. Robertson

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

Cancer of the eye and eyelids is mainly a disease of cattle, although it occasionally occurs in most species of animals and in man. It is the most common cancer in cattle, especially in certain breeds.

Meat From The Dairy Herd, R A. Bettenay

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

Beef raising is a profitable sideline for many West Australian dairy farmers and gives their farming operation flexibility and versatility.

With suitable management and feeding the weight gains and consumer acceptance of dairy beef allow it to compete strongly with beef from other sources.

The breeds most common on W.A. dairy farms are well suited to beef production.

Methods Of Cattle Identification For The Farmer, R C. Burking

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

THE value of management decisions in day-to-day dairy herd management, such as breeding, selection, and culling, depends on accurate identification of individual animals.

A report on tests of some methods of cattle identification available to farmers.

This article is concerned only with methods of identification of cattle on the farm. It is the farmer's responsibility to brand his stock with his registered brand to comply with the requirements of the Brands Act, in addition to any brands or tags applied for his own management purposes.

Any marks other than the registered brand or earmark must be clearly distinguishable from, and …

Thirteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1969-70, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

SLXTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 1st NOVEMBER, 1970 AVERAGE AGE OF BIRDS 459 DAYS OR 66 WEEKS

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

FINAL REPORT TO 500 DAYS

Fourteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1970-71, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

FIFTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 29th AUGUST, 1971 AVERAGE AGE OF BIRDS. 397 DAYS, OR 57 WEEKS

Fourteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1970-71, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THIRD PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 2nd MAY, 1971 AVERAGE AGE OF BIRDS 278 DAYS OR 39 WEEKS AND 5 DAYS and

FOURTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 30ft MAY, 1971 AVERAGE AGE OF BIRDS 306 DAYS OR 43 WEEKS AND 5 DAYS

Fourteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1970-71, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY REARING RESULTS AT HOUSING (21 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS) and

SECOND PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 28th FEBRUARY, 1971 AVERAGE AGE OF BIRDS 214 DAYS OR 30 WEEKS AND 4 DAYS

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.

Later Mating Improves Lambing Results, R J. Suiter

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

Ovulation studies in Western Australia have indicated that increased lambing percentages in crossbred and Merino ewes could be expected from mating in February-April rather than December- January.

Such increases have been demonstrated in time of lambing trials with crossbred ewes, but had not been seen in Merino flocks until recently.

This report summarises the results of time of lambing trials with Merinos carried out at the Merredin and Wongan Hills Research Stations between 1963 and 1969.

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.

Thirteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1969-70, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

FOURTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 31 sr MAY, 1970

Average age of birds 305 days or 43 weeks and 4 days

Thirteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1969-70, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THIRTEENTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1969-70

SECOND PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 1st MARCH, 1970 Average age of birds 215 days or 30 weeks and 5 days

Twelfth Random Sample Laying Test : 1968-1969 : Litter, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

TWELFTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST,

1968-69-LITTER

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

THIRD PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 4th MAY, 1969

Ultrasonic Testing : An Aid To Better Breeding, B M. Goss

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

THE ultrasonic tester was originally developed as a metal flaw-detector for industrial purposes, and its usefulness for making carcass measurements on the live pig was first demonstrated about 10 years ago.

Breeding Better Pigs, B M. Goss

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

IN the past, pig breeders have tended to select animals on physical characteristics, many of which have little or no relevance to economy of production.

Selection techniques now available open up the possibility of improved pig production efficiency.

Eleventh Random Sample Laying Test : 1967-68 Cages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

ELEVENTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST,

1967-68 - CAGES

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

SIXTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 3rd NOVEMBER, 1968

Twelfth Random Sample Laying Test : 1968-69 : Cages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

TWELFTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST,

1968-69 - CAGES

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

SECOND PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 2nd MARCH, 1969

Birth Weights Of Calves : Report Of A Calf Weighing Project At Wokalup Research Station, Maurice C. Cullity

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

SINCE 1957, all calves born on Wokalup Research Station have been weighed as close to b i r th as possible and detailed birth weight records have been kept for all phases of the Station's breeding activities.

Twelfth Random Sample Laying Test : 1968-69 : Cages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

TWELFTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1968-69 - CAGES

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

FOURTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 1st JUNE, 1969 Average age of birds 308 days or 44 weeks.

Eleventh Random Sample Laying Tests, 1967-68 : Cages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

ELEVENTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1967-68 - CAGES

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

FOURTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 2nd JUNE, 1968

Ninth Random Sample Laying Test, 1965-66, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

NINTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1965-66

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

FINAL REPORT TO 500 DAYS

Tenth Random Sample Laying Test, 1966-67 : Cages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

TENTH RANDOM SAMPLE LAYING TEST, 1966-67 - CAGES

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY

SECOND PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 26th FEBRUARY, 1967

Average age of birds 215.5 days or 30 weeks and 6 days.

Special Field Days For Merino Breeders, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

More than 200 Merino stud breeders attended special stud breeding and fertility field days arranged for them by the Department of Agriculture recently.

Breeders attending represented some 40 per cent of the State's Merino studs.