Plant Sciences Commons^™

More Butterfat Per Acre At Denmark Research Station, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

STOCKING rates on dairy farms are generally too low and can be substantially increased, but unfortunately there is no satisfactory measurement to indicate the potential of a particular pasture or environment.

A trial carried out on Denmark Research Station in 1966-67, to obtain information on carrying capacity of a dryland kikuyu-subterranean clover pasture.

Control Of Clover Infertility In Sheep, H G. Neil, H. E. Fels, C. M. Francis

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

A summary of practices recommended for the control of infertility caused by subterranean clover in West Australian sheep.

PROLONGED grazing of green subterranean clover pastures often reduces ewe fertility. In more extreme cases, obvious signs of clover disease occur.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Net-Leaf Poison (O. Racemosum (Turcz.) C.A. Gardn.), Brother-Brother (O. Tetragonophyllum E. Pritzel), Rigid-Leaf Poison (O. Rigidum C.A. Gardn.), Slender Poison (O. Heterophyllum (Turcz.) Benth.), Round-Leaf Poison (G. Pycnostachyum Benth.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with five toxic species, all of which are found in the Eyre district of the South-Western region of Western Australia.

Deferred Grazing Improves Soft Spinifex Association, H Suijdendorp

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

THE Pastoral region in Western Australia where Triodia pungens (soft spinifex) makes up most of the vegetation, covers an area of about 17,000 square miles in the Forrest and De Grey pastoral areas.

On the deeper granitic sands in much of the region, plant associations revert to a pure stand of soft spinifex after about five or six years' grazing. It is common practice to burn at this stage, to encourage the re-establishment of other species and the production of palatable spinifex regrowth.

Snail Investigations : A Progress Report, G D. Rimes

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

Experimental baits and sprays have given promising control of snails in cereals and pastures in the Geraldton-Dongara districts.

The problem of harvesting infested wheat crops has been overcome by attaching a specially designed rake in front of the header ccmb to remove snails from the plants.

Oestrogen Free Subterranean Clovers : Their Development And Prospects, C M. Francis

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

SELDOM have plants received more publicity than the "oestrogen free" subterranean clovers developed by the University of Western Australia's Institute of Agriculture.

The production of oestrogen free clovers has attracted great popular interest, particularly among farmers in the southern sheep raising districts.

Amsinckia Or Yellow Burr-Weed (Amsinckia Spp.), G R W Meadly

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

YELLOW BURR-WEED is widely established in the Wimmera and Mallee districts in Victoria, presumably introduced with fodder brought to this country from the United States about 1914.

It is a problem in Oregon and other north west wheat areas of America.

The weed is also widespread in New South Wales, being most troublesome in the wheat-growing sections of the Riverina. It is not established to the same extent in South Australia and Queensland.

The recent discovery of areas infested with yellow burr-weed at Merredin prompted the Agriculture Protection Board to declare it a primary noxious weed for Western Australia.

Common Heliotrope : (Heliotropum Europaeum L.), G R W Meadly

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

THE Borage family, to which common heliotrope belongs, includes several other plants which are troublesome weeds in Australia.

Patersons curse is widespread in several States, yellow burr-weed is a problem in wheat growing areas, particularly in Victoria, and corn gromwell also causes concern to some wheat farmers.

W.A. Dairying : Progress In 42 Years, Maurice C. Cullity

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

From hardship and elementary standards, West Australian dairying has developed into a consolidated industry with larger herds, increased output and high quality production.

The changes he has seen are reviewed by Mr. M. Cullity who retired last month from the position of Chief of the Division of Dairying, after 42 years of service to the industry.

THE history of Western Australia's dairying industry has been a story of struggle against hardship, marketing problems and adverse criticism.

In spite of this the industry has steadily grown and greatly improved its efficiency.

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.

West Midlands Development : Poison Plants In The West Midlands, T E H Aplin

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

TOXIC plants have caused considerable economic loss to stock raisers since the early days of settlement in Western Australia.

Although much is now known of the toxic materials contained in such plants, and although most of the plants have been thoroughly publicised, losses are still occurring in many areas.

Heart-Leaf Poison, River Poison, Stirling Range Poison, T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with heart-leaf poison, river poison and Stirling Range poison, all more or less restricted to the lower South-Western Region of Western Australia.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : Crinkle-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Villosum Benth.), Runner Poison (G. Ovalifolium Henfr.), Horned Poison And Hill River Poison (G. Polystachyum Meissn.), Woolly Poison (G. Tomentosum C.A. Gardn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with four toxic species of the genus Gastrolobium which are superficially similar to one other.

Two of these species are prostrate in habit; the other two are more upright but are generally short in stature.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Prickly Poison And Bullock Poison, T E H Aplin

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

PRICKLY POISON is one of the most widely distributed and one of the most variable of species of the genus Gastrolobium.

A Measure Of Clover Infertility In Ewes, N Davenport

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

SERIOUS impairment of the breeding ability of ewes grazed for prolonged periods on growing pastures containing dominant subterranean clover has been experienced in Western Australia for many years.

The first widespread recognition of the problem coincided with the upsurge of improved pasture establishment based on the Dwalganup variety of subterranean clover in the higher rainfall sections of the wheatbelt and adjacent sheep raising areas to the west and south.

Phalaris Staggers : Prevention By Cobalt Bullets, Bryan J. Gorddard, P. P. Mann, A. J. Hadlow

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

FARMERS in the south west of Western Australia are familiar with the use of cobalt for the prevention of ill-thrift and deaths due to cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle.

Less common is the use of cobalt for the prevention of chronic phalaris poisoning, known as phalaris staggers.

This condition is well known in eastern Australia, but only isolated cases have been recorded in W.A. no doubt due to the relatively small area sown to phalaris in this state.

Consumption And Digestion Of Dry Cupped Clover, E T. Bailey

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

FARMERS often ask if sheep eat the dry seed heads of cupped clover (Trifolium cherleri) and, if so, how much of the seed is digested.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : York Road Poison And Box Poison, T E H Aplin

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

YORK ROAD poison and box poison are two of the most important members of the group of poison plants belonging to the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium—the toxic pea-flowered plants.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Rock Poison (Gastrobolium Callistachys Meissn.), T E H Aplin

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

ROCK POISON, so called because it is commonly found on granitic soils, usually among granite rocks, occurs from the Irwin River, southwards to the Dale River and eastwards to Mount Stirling, south of Kellerberrin.

Cattle Stocking Rates In A Higher Rainfall Area, R Sprivulis

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

THE 1965 Pardelup cattle stocking rate trial was conducted with Hereford cross yearling steers on annual pasture of Mt. Barker sub. clover, Wirnmera ryegrass and various volunteer annual species.

This was topdressed with 186 lb. of superphosphate per acre in mid March.

Agriculture In Western Australia : Past, Present And Future, A W. Hogstrom

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

THE post war period has seen very rapid growth and changes in the agriculture of Western Australia.

Almost every industry and region of the State has contributed to the growth of rural production which in turn has been responsible for much of the development in other sectors of the economy.

Water Blooms, T E H Aplin

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

WHEN a body of water becomes discoloured with a super-abundance of free-floating, microscopic plant or, in rare cases, animal life, it is said to develop a "water bloom."

This article discusses some aspects of the appearance of water blooms, particularly those caused by algae, and with the effects that certain toxic algae have on livestock.

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.

Meadow Hay For The Dairy Herd, F E. Ryan

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

CONSERVATION is the basis of progress in dairy farming and the major form is meadow hay, but unfortunately relatively few dairy farmers give enough attention to the quality and quantity of this important feed.

List Of Department Of Agriculture Publications, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE following publications are available on application from the Department of Agriculture.

Most of the bulletins listed are reprints from the Journal of Agriculture and are free of charge (except where a price is stated).

The date of original publication of reprints is stated to facilitate reference to bound volumes of the Journal.

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.

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.

Agriculture In Williams-West Arthur : Report Of A Survey Of Farm Practices, A W. Hogstrom

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

THIS article summarises the results of a survey of 81 farms in the Williams and West Arthur Shires, carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture at the request of the Central South Zone Development Committee.

Field work for the survey started in 1961.

The Effect Of Seaweed Meal On Yolk Colour, B R. Vale, P. Smetana

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

Could seaweed, plentiful on local beaches, be used to improve egg yolk colour?

This article gives the results of experiments at the Department's Poultry Research Station.

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.