Agricultural Science Commons^™

Bulletin 4396 - Byenup Hill Focus Catchment Benefit: Cost Analysis, Allan Herbert

Bulletins 4000 -

The main text of this document concentrates on the costs of the proposed strategies, and the on-farm financial benefits from forecast production changes - in particular the production differences between the 'do nothing' and 'with strategy' scenarios.

Members of the catchment group indicated however that their main focus was on preserving their capital base. Hence some discussion of the values of land lost to salt and premiums/discounts for 'landcared' vs 'unlandcared' land appears later in the report. Economics literature suggests that including changes in land values into these analyses is incorrect. It is argued that production differences are actually captured …

Bulletin 4371 - Growing Bamboo In Western Australia, Bob Gretton, John Burt

Bulletins 4000 -

Bamboo belongs to the subfamily Bambusoidae, a tribe of the Poaceae or grass family. They include 45 genera and over 1000 species. Many bamboo have edible shoots. The culms (stems) are fast growing, strong, light and useful as timber. These characteristics make the bamboo family valuable plants.

In Australia, there has been increasing interest in growing bamboo since the International Bamboo Congress in Bali in 1995. The principal driving forces of this new industry are edible shoot production and timber production. A Bamboo Growers Seminar was held in Brisbane in 1997. A Bamboo Growers Association for Australia was formed in …

Bulletin 4369 - Ord River Irrigation Area - Kununurra Western Australia, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in the Kimberley Province of Western Australia is the product of a bold and imaginative plan to develop part of the nation's tropical north for intensive agriculture by harnessing the waters of the Ord River. The principal features of the scheme are:

* A major storage reservoir formed by a dam constructed where the Ord River enters the Carr-Boyd Ranges, 160 kilometres south-east of Wyndham.

* A diversion dam, 50 kilometres further downstream, to raise the river level and divert water to be released from the major storage reservoir onto the irrigable lands.

* …

Bulletin 4359 - Soils Of The Swan Coastal Plain, Mike Bolland

Bulletins 4000 -

Almost all the soils of the Swan coastal plain are formed by material deposited by sea, rivers and wind. The Yilgarn Block, east and south of the Scarp bordering the Swan Coastal Plain (Fig. 1), rose about 40 to 50 million years ago. This caused erosion of the block by rivers and streams, and the eroded material was either deposited onto the Swan Coastal Plain or washed into the sea. The eroded material formed new soils on the Plain.

Broadly there are two major types of soils on the Coastal Plain. The first is a series of dune system near …

Bulletin 4357 - Fertilisers For Pastures On Sandy Soils Of The Swan Coastal Plain, K. W. Angell

Bulletins 4000 -

When newly cleared for agriculture, the sandy soils of the Swan Coastal Plain were acutely deficient in phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and the trace elements copper ( Cu) and zinc (Zn) and sometimes molybdenum (Mo). Phosphorus deficiency was overcome by applying single superphosphate. Trace element deficiencies were overcome by adding Cu, Zn and Mo to superphosphate during manufacture, allowing P, Cu, Zn and Mo to be applied to the pasture in the one operation.

It was subsequently found that low sulphur (S) and potassium (K) were limiting production and persistence of subterranean clover-based pastures on the sandy soils of the …

Bulletin 4387 - Women In Agriculture In Western Australia 1999, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

WESTERN Australian women in agriculture contribute huge economic, social and community benefits to industry, to the rural sector, and to the State overall. That this contribution is not fully acknowledged, is perhaps due to the lack of clear data; many economic or social measures do not disaggregate data by gender, despite women's and men's roles being very different. Other measures are based on outdated assumptions about how work is done, and by whom.

Bulletin 4384 - New Asian Vegetables From Western Australia - At A Glance, Vynka Mcveigh, Soon Chye Tan Dr, Geraldine Pasqual

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australia produces a range of horticultural commodities including fruit, vegetables, flowers, nursery products and wine as part of its fast growing $400 million horticultural industry. Natural advantages such as climate and clean environment, soils and water make Western Australia an ideal place to supply a variety of high quality produce to domestic and international markets.

Western Australia is Australia's largest exporter of fresh vegetables, sending a range of products to over 20 countries. A strong export trade has developed with South East Asia and growing opportunities exist in other markets in Asia and in the Northern Hemisphere. Western Australia …

Bulletin 4397 - Stone Fruit From Western Australia - At A Glance, Glynn Ward, Geraldine Pasqual, Eleanor Melvin-Carter

Bulletins 4000 -

Western Australia produces a range of horticultural commodities including fruit, vegetables, flowers, nursery products and wine as part of its fast growing $400 million horticultural industry. Natural advantages such as climate and clean environment, soils and water make Western Australia an ideal place to supply a variety of high quality produce to domestic and international markets.

The stone fruit industry in Western Australia is booming with large production increases predicted. Production from well established plum, peach and nectarine orchards in 1996/97 is estimated at $17 million and exports have doubled in the past five years to $10 million in 1998/99. …

The Chickpea Book : A Technical Guide To Chickpea Production, Stephen Loss, Neil Brandon, K H M. Siddique

Bulletins 4000 -

The area of chickpea production in Australia has expanded rapidly in recent years especially in south-western Australia. This has been partly brought about by the keen interest of farmers and a concerted research effort and industry development by Agriculture Western Australia, The Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) and other institutions, in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation and other industry funding bodies. Private consultants, grain traders and other industry groups have also contributed to the expansion of the industry.

Much of the local knowledge generated by these research and development projects has been published in various …

Bulletin 4328 - Soil Testing For Vegetable Production On The Coastal Plain, Ian Mcpharlin, Murray Hegney

Bulletins 4000 -

Vegetable growers need to use fertiliser efficiently. Under-fertilising can reduce yield, which results in economic losses. Over-fertilising can reduce yield and contribute to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of ground and surface waters. Concerns have been expressed that fertilisers applied to horticultural crops contribute to the phosphorus pollution of the rivers and estuaries of the west and south coast of Western Australia.

Soil testing is a technique that can be used by growers to make better fertiliser decisions. When soil tests show high levels of nutrients, growers can reduce fertiliser application for the current crop. This should enable growers to maintain …

Bulletin 4333 - Furrow Sowing On Water Repellent Soils, Paul Blackwell, Grant Morrow

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin discusses the benefits that furrow sowing brings to crop growth and production on water repellent sand, based on research and farm observations in Western Australian. By understanding the benefits and risks of several key processes, producers can better evaluate the potential role of furrow sowing in combating water repellency. This is true whether one is using direct drilling, no-till (narrow points or discs) or zero till (single, double or triple disc openers) methods.

A Guide To Mechanical Rangeland Regeneration, J. Addison

Bulletins 4000 -

The main objective of this Bulletin is to describe mechanical methods of promoting rangeland regeneration and how to determine which is the most appropriate to use on any particular site. Mechanical regeneration methods are not 'quick fix' but may be used to advantage in some rangeland regeneration strategies.

Bulletin 4329 - Environmental Hazards Of Farming In Western Australia, Greg Hamilton, Ian Foster, Philip M. Goulding

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin is one of a series on crop establishment practices which minimise soil disturbance and improve stubble retention. In partnership with primary producers, Agriculture Western Australia 1s focussed on improved and profitable farming which conserves or improves the quality of the State's soil resources.

Agricultural land in Western Australia is naturally fragile and susceptible to degradation. Salinity and wind erosion are the most visible and significant forms of degradation, but all forms are present over large areas of agricultural land (House of Representatives Enquiry into Land Degradation in Western Australia, 1988).

The fragility of Western Australia's soils has been …

Bulletin No 4315 - Western Australian Agricultural & Fishery Exports At A Glance...1995/96, Graeme Robertson Dr, P. P. Rogers

Bulletins 4000 -

Second edition (revised and updated) January 1997.

Western Australia's economic growth and high productivity is based on a well established export-oriented economy that relies heavily on primary production.

Our abundant and diverse range of agricultural and fish products is supported by highly innovative and dynamic primary industries. These are backed by modern financial and physical infrastructure.

Western Australia's agricultural industries and fisheries have an international reputation for a professional approach to business and a proven track record in producing and supplying food and fibre products of consistently high quality. Clean air, unpolluted oceans and waterways, and abundant quality farmland are …

Bulletin 4307 - Grass Control In Pastures Using Herbicides, Alexandra Wallace

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin discusses three methods for herbicide control of grasses in pastures:

• pasture manipulation, in the early stages of pasture growth;
• spray-topping late in the growing season; and
• hay freezing, late in the growing season.

Bulletin 4294 - Virus Diseases Of Lupins, Roger Jones

Bulletins 4000 -

Two virus diseases pose a serious threat to lupins. These are caused by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), which induces diseases in narrow-leafed and yellow lupins, and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), which infects all types of cultivated lupins. The effects of the viruses on lupin plants range from subtle colour changes and leaf distortion to leaf shedding, stunting and death. Seed production is decreased or prevented. There is no cure, but lupin crops can be managed to minimise both virus spread and its persistence from year to year.

CMV and BYMV occur within all tissues in the plant, but do …

Bulletin 4279 - Streamlining - An Environmentally Sustainable Drainage Network For The Swan Coastal Plain (Peel-Harvey Catchment), Garry Heady, Neil Guise

Bulletins 4000 -

Community Catchment Centre Pinjarra

A network of over 1400 kilometres of drains and modified natural waterways constructed by the Public Works Department criss-crosses the Peel-Harvey catchment. There are also over 3300 kilometres of minor drains and natural waterways in this same region.

The expansion of agriculture relied on this extensive drainage network, which was designed to ensure rapid drainage of the region. Unfortunately there was little regard to future environmental consequences.

Along with drainage water, these same drains now carry high loads of silt and nutrients. Many of the drains are also degraded and require expensive maintenance annually.

Bulletin 4283 - Nitrogen Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M. G. Mason

Bulletins 4000 -

Because fertiliser prices are high, it is important to understand what affects the response to fertilisers by crops.

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, you need some understanding of how these factors work.

Greatest responses to nitrogen fertilisers can be expected in areas with a relatively long growing season. In such areas light soils with a low nitrogen status give the …

Bulletin 4278 - How To Use Wide Furrow Sowing For Improved Crop Production On Water Repellent Sand, Paul Blackwell, Grant Morrow, Tony Webster

Bulletins 4000 -

Wide furrow sowing is a method for successfully establishing crops of lupins or cereals on non-wetting sands, and improving crop establishment on non-repellent sands. The same principles can be used to assist establishment of fodder shrubs and long-term pasture (e.g. tagasaste and Rhodes grass).

Bulletin 4270 - Meat Quality In Beef Cattle, Brian Mcintyre

Bulletins 4000 -

Meat quality is the sole concern of the consumer once the product reaches the supermarket shelf. Breeding, feeding or any other factors that may have been important to the beef producer have no influence over the buyer's choice. Meat quality can be divided into two components — appearance and eating quality.

Bulletin 4265 - Termites, Peter Davis

Bulletins 4000 -

Termites are small, soft-bodied, social insects that feed on wood, grass, dead leaves, bark, humus, fungi or the dung of herbivore. They are commonly known as white ants, but are not related to true ants.

There are over 2300 species of termite of which about350 occur in Australia, and of these about 12 damage sound timber.

Bulletin 4272 - Growing Bananas In Carnarvon, Terry Hill

Bulletins 4000 -

The banana industry in Carnarvon began with small plantings. plantings in the 1940s. Since that time the industry has grown and become the mainstay of the region's horticulture industry.

In 1991, there were 360 ha planted to bananas and the industry was valued at $18.2 million. The major market for the crop is the Perth metropolitan area and Carnarvon remains the major supplier to this market. In recent years the development of a banana industry in Kununurra has resulted in increased competition, particularly in the winter months.

The industry is sited on land bordering the Gascoyne River, close to the …

Bulletin 4267 - Growing Macadamia Nuts, John Dick, Alec Mccarthy

Bulletins 4000 -

The macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) are native Australian trees that have been developed as a commercial food crop.

About two million macadamia trees are planted in Australia over 6000 hectares. These produce about 12,000 tonnes of nuts. New South Wales and Queensland account for 90 per cent of the trees.

Unfortunately, Western Australian conditions are different again to the eastern States. Therefore, local trials will be required before varieties particularly suited to this State's conditions can be developed.

Bulletin 4247 - Introduction To Commercial Mushroom Growing, Margaret Graham

Bulletins 4000 -

Mushroom cultivation began in Australia in the 1930s in the then incomplete and unused Circular Quay railway tunnel in Sydney. In the 1950s most mushrooms were grown in heaped or 'ridge-beds' of compost in disused railway tunnels.

In the last 15 to 20 years there has been considerable technical change in the method and degree of sophistication of mushroom cultivation techniques. Most growers have invested large sums of capital in specially designed and insulated buildings that control temperature, humidity and ventilation and where pest and disease prevention and control is less difficult.

The bag method also helps to alleviate pest …

Bulletin 4274 - Tree Planting On The High Rainfall Coastal Plain, Don Bennett, Richard George

Bulletins 4000 -

Careful planning can mean the difference between the success or failure of a tree planting program . Healthy , well-e stablished trees stand a better chance of survival, grow faster and are more resistant to insect attack. The need for time-consuming watering in summer is also eliminated.

The high rainfall coastal plain extends from Perth to Busselton and inland to the Darling Scarp. It receives about 800 to 1000 mm annual rainfall.

Site preparation is ideally started in summer. For a winter planting, decide before March where to plant, which varieties and how many trees to plant. Early planning allows …

Bulletin 4256 - Pecan Nut Cultivation, Aldo Labrosciano

Bulletins 4000 -

Pecans Carya illinoensis, an indigenous species to Northern America, are successfully grown between the latitudes of 25° and 35°. There is considerable variation in size and flavour of the 1000 or more varieties of the nuts.

Large scale production is concentrated in north America, Israel and South Africa. Plantings in Australia are in Victoria and New South Wales, and are developing slowly in Western Australia.

Pecans are well suited to Western Australian conditions where the soil is well drained. Though the trees are deciduous, they have no chill requirement and will flourish if water is not limiting.

Bulletin No 4237 - Growing Nashi In Western Australia, Allan Price

Bulletins 4000 -

Nashi is the Japanese word for Pear. It is used in this context to describe pears of Asian origins, developed from Pyrus pyrtfolia as distinct from European pears (Pyrus communis).

Nashi have originated from two major areas, Japan and Korea/China.

Bulletin 4241 - Chemical Control Of Insect Pests In Field Crops And Pastures, T. P. Quinn, G. P. Mangano, P. J. Michael

Bulletins 4000 -

Chemicals currently registered in Western Australia for use against pests of field crops and pasture are given in the table below. Trade names are listed alongside each chemical formulation.

Department of Agriculture Bulletin 4185 "Insect and allied pests of extensive fanning" will help you identify the pest(s) through coloured photographs, descriptions and keys. Information on the type of damage, life cycle and control is also provided. Further information is available in Farmnotes on specific pests and on pests of a particular crop.

The Poison Schedule for each product is indicated in the table. Extremely toxic chemicals are labelled as "dangerous …

Bulletin No 4216 - Broadscale Boom Spraying, Roger Doyle, Gary Dorr, Des Gilbey, John Peirce

Bulletins 4000 -

For spraying to be effective it must do the job required at a minimum cost, with no unwanted side effects. It is impo1tant to use the right chemical at the right rate, at the right tin1e and in the best conditions.

It is just as important that both the sprayer and the way it is used allows you to meet this objective. This Bulletin will help you select the right boom sprayer, maintain it for efficient operation and use it efficiently and safely.

Bulletin No 4222 - Management Of Properties With Pesticide Residues - Information For Farmers With Properties Affected By Organochlorine Pesticide Residues, Farran Dixon

Bulletins 4000 -

This publication is produced by the Department of Agriculture to help farmers who have been affected by the pesticide residue problem. Some material from previous issues has been included, so that as much information as possible is contained in a single publication. We suggest you keep it as a convenient reference on any aspect of the residue problem.

All owners of affected land are urged to read this publication carefully. This applies to the owners of any land which has a soil organochlorine residue level greater than 0.1 parts per million (ppm).

A management notice will be issued for each …