Agricultural Science Commons^™

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.

International Market Opportunities For Lentils, Andrew Quinn, Malcolm Sedgwick

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The purpose of this report is to determine, through desk top statistical analysis, those countries which hold significant promise for the export expansion of the Western Australian lentil industry.

The report is comprised of five parts. 1) a brief lentil overview, 2) world lentil production and trade, 3) Australian lentil production and trade, 4) Western Australian lentil production and trade and 5) conclusions.

The first four sections identify the major producers, exporters, importers and premium markets operating in the international lentil market. The fifth section concludes by identifying six countries that warrant further in-market analysis to determine their lentil preferences …

International Market Opportunities For Field Peas, Andrew Quinn, Malcolm Sedgwick

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The purpose of this report is to determine, through desk top statistical analysis, key countries which hold significant promise for the export expansion of the Western Australian field pea industry.

The report is comprised of five parts. 1) a brief field pea overview, 2) world field pea production and trade, 3) Australian field pea production and trade, 4) Western Australian field pea production and trade and 5) conclusions.

The first four sections aim to identify the major producers, exporters, importers and premium markets operating in the international field pea market. The fifth section concludes by identifying six countries that warrant …

Defusing The Salt Time Bomb, David Berry

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

Practical adviser to famers about managing salt affected soils on their property.

International Market Opportunities For Faba Beans, Andrew Quinn, Malcolm Sedgwick

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

Western Australian faba bean production is growing and export volumes are increasing. In contrast, production is declining in many of the world's traditional faba bean regions. World trade, however, is growing.

China dominates the world export market and is growing rapidly as an exporter. The UK and Australia are the second and third largest exporters respectively.

As Western Australian production increases, the State will increasingly play an important role in Australia's ability to supply faba beans into markets looking tor quality and stable supply.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as the State's largest export market. The State is well located to …

Resource Management Decision Support Tools - Brief Model Descriptions, Campbell White & Associates Pty Ltd

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

During the past 10 years, a number of financial models have been developed within Agriculture Western Australia to assist decision making in resource management. Various approaches have been taken including whole farm, development and partial budgets.

Natural resource managers within Agriculture Western Australia, have identified a need to preserve these decision support systems in a central library. The models should be readily accessible to new staff, and the library should provide an 'engine' through which the models can be promoted, and information relating their application distributed. Recent technology such as the development and mainstream adoption of the World Wide Web …

Western Australian Salinity Action Plan, Agriculture Western Australia, Department Of Conservation And Land Management, Department Of Environmental Protection, Water And Rivers Commission

Natural resources published reports

Salinity is one of the State's most critical environmental problems, threatening major economic and social consequences. It is preventable and, in the long term, reversible. Complete elimination is not realistic, but we can dramatically reduce its impact.

Salinity is caused by replacing deep-rooted native plants with shallow-rooted crops and pastures. More rainfall passed below the root zone and accumulates as groundwater so that watertables rise. The groundwater mobilises natural salts in the soil as it rises and carries them towards the surface, eventually degrading land and streams.

Fire Management Of Spinifex Pastures In The Coastal And West Pilbara, John Stretch

Agriculture reports

Spinifex dominated plant communities are a major natural pasture resource in the Pilbara. Spinifex is noted for its ridged, hard and generally sharp pointed leaf blades, although individual species vary in this respect. Triodia pungens and T. schinzii are often referred to as soft spinifex. Soft spinifex is useful as stock feed in its own right, whereas 'hard' spinifex species are rarely grazed by stock. Soft spinifex dominated pastures are relatively uncommon in eastern parts but important on the western coastal plains of the Pilbara (Figure 1). Information on spinifex management options available to the pastoralist or station manager is …

Managing Pastures For Long-Term Prosperity, Hugh Pringle, Jenny Riches

Natural resources published reports

A Workshop held by the Sandstone Land Conservation District Committee

Lake Mason Station

April 1994

A workshop hosted by Sandstone Land Conservation District Committee (LCDC) was held at Lake Mason station on 28 April 1994. This workshop was based on two previous workshops hosted by the Kalgoorlie and north-eastern Goldfields LCDCs in May 1991 (Pringle et al. 1992). The success of the earlier workshops prompted the rangeland survey team in association with the Sandstone LCDC and the Kalgoorlie District Office of Agriculture Western Australia to initiate the project.

The aims were to provide a summary of local wisdom regarding pasture …

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 …

Esperance Region Catchment Planning Strategy, John Platt, Brendan Nicholas, Rod Short, Stephen Gee

Natural resources published reports

The Esperance Region Catchment Planning Strategy project was initiated by the Esperance Land Conservation District Committee.

This report provides a reference document for farmers and other land managers such as government agencies and local government, and should help them to strategically focus their catchment planning activities.

It will help land managers to identify the major catchments and land systems in their area, management issues for long term sustainability, and a regional strategy for catchment planning.

Catchment planning involves both technical and social processes.

Technically it is a process of planning the sustainable use of water resources within a catchment.

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 …

Achievements In Wool, Agriculture Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Wool Strategy Group, which I initiated in 1993, works with Agriculture Western Australia's Wool Program to set the strategic directions for its activities. Chaired by Mr Philip Gardiner, it has members whose experience include fashion, marketing, financial markets, wool production, selling, as well as strong industry linkages. This document outlines the activities that the Group and the Program have been undertaking over the past 12 months.

The Chairman of the IWTO has recently suggested that Australian production in the coming years will be insufficient or not of the right specifications to supply market demands.

In order to assist Western …

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.

Understanding Fertilisers For Table Grapes, B. H. Goldspink, I. Cameron, J. Campbell-Clause, N. Lantzke, C. Gordon

Viticulture research reports

A course run by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, August 1995.

The purpose of this publication is to clarify the role fertilisers play in commercial table grape production and to detail methods of selecting fertilisers. This selection process however is not easy as there are over 600 registered fertilisers in Western Australia.

In deciding which is the best fertiliser for a particular property many factors have to be considered. These include:

* Age of vine

* Rootstock

* Variety of table grape

* Soil type

* Soil chemistry

* Irrigation methods

* Previous fertiliser history Previous yield, vigour and …

The Business Checklist, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

A business can be likened to a broken water barrel. The performance of the business is represented by the volume of water the barrel can hold and the management skills of the manager are represented by the broken staves. The higher the manager's level of skill, the longer the stave.

If the business is to be successful, the manager's skills must cover all management areas of the business. Very good skills in one management area (for example, landcare planning) will not compensate for poor skills in another (for example, financial management). The performance of the business is limited by the …

Regional Relativities Of Sustainable Pastoral Sheep Production In Western Australia, A. Mcr Holm, R. O'Connor, I. Foster, M. Stevens, G. Beeston

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Pastoral Wool Industry has for many years been in a parlous position. Jennings (1979) in a review of the industry nearly 15 years ago concluded that a significant number of pastoralists were in serious financial trouble, mainly resulting from the inability of station businesses to cope with the worsening terms of trade affecting rural industries. The recent collapse of the wool price has again focused attention on the future viability of the pastoral wool industry. Wilcox and Cunningham (1993) in a review of the industry in October 1993, concluded that the clean price indicator needs to increase by 50 …

Adaptation Of Lentil In Western Australia: Germplasm Evaluation In 1994, A. Sarker, K. H.M. Siddique, S P. Loss, Co-Operative Research Centre For Legumes In Mediterranean Agriculture, Department Of Agriculture Western Australia

Grain and other field crops published reports

Lentil is one of the grain legumes with potential for inclusion into Australian farming systems on fine textured, neutral to alkaline soils. It is an important protein source for the large populations of the Indian sub-continent and elsewhere, and the export market potential is excellent. Old Canadian varieties grown on a small scale in Victoria (Laird and Callisto) are poorly adapted to short season WA environments, A number of varieties have recently been selected from ICARDA material and released in Victoria and SA (Digger, Cobber, Matilda and Aldinga), and these have adequate adaptation to commence a lentil industry in WA. …

Land Management Report For The Kent River Catchment, Sue Kelly

Natural resources published reports

The Kent River Catchment is located in the South-West of Western Australia, approximately between latitudes 34° 15' and 35° 10' South and longitudes 116° 45" and 117° 50° East. The north-eastern boundary of the catchment stretches to the Albany Highway at Tenterden, and from there the catchment curves towards Rocky Gully before continuing to the South Coast (Figure 1.1.1). The catchment is located within the Shires of Cranbrook, Plantagenet and Denmark.

The Kent River Catchment is part of Basin 604, which is the Water Authority descriptor for the Kent, Bow and Kordabup River catchments collectively. Basin 604 has a total …

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 …

A Guide To Floodplain Cattle Fencing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia, Main Roads, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

A seminar and workshop was held at Fitzroy Crossing in October 1993 to address the consequences of flooding to landholders and communities.

Damage to flood plain fencing was identified as one of the major concerns to landholders.

An outcome from the workshop was the decision to draw on local knowledge and collate information on options for fence and floodgate designs.

This information was to be made available to land holders and other interested parties - hence this publication.

Miscellaneous Publication 39/94 - Horticulture On The Swan Coastal Plain - A Study Of Grower Concerns, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia, Water Authority, Western Australia, Csiro, Australia

Horticulture published reports

This study reports on issues, concerns and desired actions expressed in 60 interviews with people directly involved in horticulture on the Swan Coastal Plain in the region between Gingin and Mandurah. I stress that in compiling this report every effort has been made to avoid biasing or changing the information provided by growers.

These interviews were conducted over ten days during April 1994.

The study also presents information on what is currently being done to address some of these concerns by the Department of Agriculture and the Water Authority of Western Australia as well as other agencies and organisations and …

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).

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Murchison River Catchment, Western Australia, Peter James Curry, A L. Payne, K A. Leighton, P Hennig, D A. Blood

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture between 1985 and 1988, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed by field work during 1985-88 …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The North-Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, H J. Pringle, S A. Gilligan, A M E Van Vreeswyk

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the north-eastern Goldfields, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1988 and 1990, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 100 …

A Field Study Of The Predatory Mite Metaseiulus Occidentalis Overwintering In Apple Orchards In The South West Of Western Australia, K. J. Lacey

Horticulture published reports

The twospotted mite (Tetranychus urticae) is one of the major pests of horticultural crops in Australia, and can cause severe damage in deciduous tree fruit crops such as apples, pears and peaches if left unchecked (Seymour 1982).

This study was conducted to determine whether the predatory mite Metaseiulus occidentalis, once introduced into orchards in the south west of Western Australia, could survive through the winter period and repopulate the orchard the following season. Two orchards in the Manjimup region where M. occidentalis had been released in the early summer of 1990/91, were selected for the study.

On-tree shelters were placed …

Miscellaneous Publication No 33/93 - Virulent Footrot A Farmer's Guide To Eradication, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

The first thing to understand about virulent footrot is that it can occur on any farm in the medium to high rainfall zone. Persons who regularly buy and sell sheep have a greater risk, but even closed breeding flock properties are at risk from stray sheep.

People often associate footrot with properties managed by inefficient farmers. This is a false belief. Many good farmers have found the disease in their sheep, including high profile studs.

Footrot can strike anywhere and often without warning.

The important thing to remember is that once it is found, getting to know and understand the …

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.