Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Bulletin No 4007 - Grasses In South Western Australia, J G. Paterson

Bulletins 4000 -

IThe grasses comprise one of the world's largest families of flowering plants, with over 500 groups or genera containing well over 5000 individual types or species distributed throughout the world. About 125 groups have been recorded in Western Australia but it is probable that the list is far from complete. About one third of these have ° been introduced from overseas.

The purpose of this bulletin is to describe those grasses which are more commonly found in the south-west of Western Australia. Also, as many people are interested in knowing the name and nature of a grass when they find …

Lupin Trials, J Moore

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials in lupins this year concentrated on testing herbicide for post emergence use in lupins. Of the 20 herbicides tested 12 did not cause significant decreases in crop density and/or yield. However, weed control was often poor and the herbicide phytotoxicity tended to vary between sites. (Chapman, Badgingarra and Avondale). The Chapman and Avondale trials were not harvested because of drought. Trials in 1978 should determine if any of the herbicides tested can safely be recommended. Lupins - summary. Post emergence lupin herbicides (Badgingarra Research Station) - 77BA36. Post emergence herbicides for lupins (Chapman Research Station) - 77C18. Post emergence …

Bulletin No 4023 - Pasture Plants Of The Western Australian Shrublands, D G. Wilcox, J G. Morrissey

Bulletins 4000 -

The use of the shrubland pastures of Western Australia began in 1861 when Mr. W. Burges of the Bowes Station near Northampton sent a flock of sheep along the Greenough River to graze the country where Yuin station is today. Following his example, a number of other enterprising men established grazing areas along the river courses of this harsh and often drought stricken and forbidding land. By 1925, virtually all of the pastoral land of value in the mulga zone west of the Gibson Desert and the Great Victoria Desert had been developed, and by 1934, over four million sheep …

Cultivar Evaluation In High Rainfall Areas, D J. Gillespie

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Trikkala Evaluation Trial 76MT3. A joint trial with D.A. Nicholas. The trial's aim is to compare the competitive ability under grazing of Trikkala and Yarloop clover on a waterlogged new land site. The competitive ability to be measured in the presence and absence of clover scorch. (Kabatiella caulivora). 2. Pasture deterioration. Field experiments. Three trials established in 1975 to determine whether various cultivation techniques could control root rot and. subsequent pasture deterioration have now concluded. 3. Lucerne productivity and persistence. 4. Effects of saline irrigation water on pasture production. During the 1976/77 irrigation season the effects on pasture production …

Bulletin 4002 - Trickle Irrigation For Farms, K Cole

Bulletins 4000 -

The continued demand for, and use of trickle irrigation is proof of the inherent potential and performance of this form of irrigation.

Originally it was used in glasshouses and nurseries but it is now widely adapted to orchards, vegetable and other horticultural small crops and home gardens.

Although research is being actively pursued in the design and use of trickle irrigation it is now beyond the experimental stage as a technique and is an accepted and proven technique of watering many types of crop.

Comparison Of Economic Returns From Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

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

While wheat is still generally the most profitable crop in Western Australia the relative profitability of barley and linseed has risen in the last few years; in southern areas they are likely to be at least as profitable as wheat.

Oats has fallen in profitability relative to wheat, and grain legumes have suffered a marked fall. Yields of these grains have increased with the introduction of new varieties but their price increases have not kept pace with those of wheat and barley. The present relationship of yields and costs indicates that substantial price changes will be needed to change the …

1976 Sunflower-Safflower Irrigated Variety Trial 1976-1977, G J. Parlevliet

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

In 1975/76 two varieties of sunflower, Hysun 10 and Hysun 20, as well as Safflower (Gila) were grown in a large alternative crop demonstration. Results were sufficiently good to warrant more and closer examination. This led to the present variety trial using varieties suggested by Mr. M. Poole. The aim was to evaluate six sunflower varieties and one safflower. The work was carried out in the light of reduced profitability of peas, beans and some fruit crops. This results in a number of growers having irrigation water and equipment under-employed. Other farmers are after a crop which will give them …

A Comparison Of Hay Conservation Systems, E E. Rowley

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

The high cost an dshortage of farm labour in the Esperance District is posing serious problems for farmers using traditional hay conservation systems. Author Ted Rowley, then an advisor with the Esperance District office of the Department of Agriculture surveyed a number of farms to study the economics of varoius alternatives. This article is a summary of his report presented to a 1976 Fodder Conservation Workshop.

1976 Pasture Species Investigations - Wheatbelt, N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials in Progress. Only four grazing trials were continued in 1976. The pasture species and management trial at Moora (68M023) required a disproportionate amount of available work time. About 6 man-months were spent in completing the fencing, repairing and modifying the water system and increasing the working efficiency of the experiment. Sheep were reintroduced to the trial early in June. This report summarizes the results from the trials under the following headings:- Seasonal Conditions; Grazing Trials;, Legume Grazing Management Trial, West Moora - 68M023; Comparison of Production from Cyprus Medic and Volunteer Pasture - 71LG17; Tornafield Medic, Serradella and Subterranean …

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

Grain Moisture And The Weather : What Can The Records Tell Us?, M W. Perry, P. A. Fievez

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

The expansion of cereal production in areas along the south coast has exposed harvesting problems associated with high grain moisture.

A grain delivery standard of 12 per cent moisture means that, in the absence of grain drying facilities, harvesting times in the field are restricted to those hours when grain moisture falls below this figure.

Grain moisture, however, remains the major problem and for planning purposes, producers require an estimate of the harvesting time available in a given year. This will depend on all the climatic variables which affect grain moisture. These include rainfall and dew which deposit water directly …

Nitrogen Fertilisers For Pasture Production, Walter Jacob Cox, K Hawley

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

At current prices nitrogen fertiliser is not an economic substitute for good clover pastures, but it can supplement the system by increasing nitrogen supply at peak growth periods. It can also provide useful increases in pasture production at critical feed times. Nitrogen usage for pasture production is still in the experimental stages and small areas should be tried before large-scale application.

The Place Of Lucerne In Western Australian Agriculture, N J. Halse, C. M. Francis

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

Lucerne, the world's most important fodder legume, has never won largescale acceptance in West Australian farming, largely because of our success with productive subterranean clover pastures. But recent disease problems on sub. clover stands have led to greater interest in alternative species, especially lucerne, for higher rainfall areas.

This article summarises our knowledge of lucerne establishment and management in W.A. and reviews current research aimed at achieving better results from lucerne.

Grain Moisture Problems On The South Coast, J A. Parish, G. H. Jones

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

In most West Australian grain growing districts high temperatures and dry weather at grain maturation are ideal for harvesting and enable delivery of grain with acceptable moisture levels. Grain from W.A. is known in world markets as a good quality dry product which is unlikely to deteriorate in storage. However, growers in coastal areas and particularly those south of Narrogin sometimes have trouble harvesting grain below the receival limit of 12 per cent moisture.

Bulletin No 3861 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1972, J. R. Mcalpine, R. H. Gunn, P. Jakobsen, R. Wetselaar, J. J. Basinski, N. J. Thomson, A. G. L. Wilson, D. H. Mackenzie, A. J. Millington, D. F. Beech, P. C. Owen, B. G. Williams, C. G. Blunt, A. Mcr Holm

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The systematic investigations of the potential of the Ord area for irrigated farming began during the Second World War when the possibilities of damming the river were first examined, initial soil survey was carried out, and agricultural experiments started. The Kimberley Research Station was established on its present site in 1945. A year later the State and Commonwealth Governments agreed to finance and operate the Station jointly, with CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture being responsible for research.

The construction of the main dam designed to store 5,675 million m" ( 4.6 million acre feet) was completed in …

Grain Sorghum In The Ord Valley : Three Crops A Year?, P J. May

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

High temperatures and ample irrigation water allow grain sorghum to be grown throughout the year on the Ord River Irrigation Area, and observations in 1969-70 indicated that it may be possible in this area to produce three crops in one year from one planting, by ratoon cropping.

This article describes the technique and discusses its possibilities on the Ord.

The sorghum midge, one of the worst pests of sorghum, could well make ratoon cropping impossible, but the midge has not yet been seen in this area.

Testing Grain Crops, H M. Fisher

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

TODAY'S competitive markets for crop products stress the need for greater awareness of buyers' requirements and more detailed knowledge about our ability to supply them.

Crop varieties and their performance in different environments are important aspects of production potential.

Irrigation In South-Western Australia, K S. Cole

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

THE pattern of irrigation in South-Western Australia is constantly changing, At present, the main increase is in the private sector.

In the past century, there has been a see-saw effect from private to Government to private schemes.

Pasture Establishment In The Wheatbelt, M L. Poole

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

The value of legume based wheatbelt pastures is so great that considerable care is warranted during their establishment. Without such care patchy establishment or even complete failure is likely to occur.

IN THE WHEATBELT too many farmers still put less effort into their seeding of pasture species than their seeding of crops.

This may be because both compete for the farmer's time in the busy seeding period and it is the cereal crop which possesses the obvious cash value.

However, the total value of a good pasture has to be assessed over a period of several years because of its …

Pasture Improvement In South Western Australia, J W. Malcolm

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

"There is no doubt that Australia's enhanced prosperity in the last 30 years has been dependent in no small measure on the use of legume-based pastures." E. M. Hutron, June, 1968. *

THE LAST 30 years have seen an increased interest in pasture improvement which has transformed much of Western Australia. Large areas have been sown to new and improved pasture species—as a result productivity of both livestock and cereal enterprises has risen.

Chemical Ploughing, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

PROGRESS in the field of chemical weed control has been spectacular in recent years. One field that is attracting interest is the idea of replacing cultivation with chemical sprays.

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 …

The Certified Strains Of Subterranean Clover : Their Origin, Potential Use And Identification, B J. Quinlivan, C. M. Francis, M. L. Poole

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

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER originated in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and in parts of Western Europe.

Therefore it is not surprising that it grows well in the agricultural districts of Western Australia, for these regions have a typically Mediterranean climate with cool wet winters and hot dry summers.

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 : Development Techniques, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Most clearing in the West Midlands is carried out by chaining, though the method chosen will depend on the country being cleared and on the resources of the farmer.

Bulletin No 3547 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1968, Western Australian Department Of Agriculture

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Rivers flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Timor Sea have been estimated by hydrologists to carry about three times the water transported annually over the Murray drainage system and the South Eastern slopes which, together, comprise the highly settled agricultural areas of South Eastern Australia.

In 1945, the North Australian Development Committee recommended research in the Ord-Victoria rivers region as a first step toward ultimate agricultural development of this Northern potential and, in 1946, the Kim- berley Research Station commenced operations under the joint control of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and the Western Australian Department …

Land Grading In South West Irrigation Areas, 1966-67, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Land grading in the South West Irrigation Areas with modern earth moving equipment first commenced in 1949.

The advantages of land grading are well recognised by farmers and this season grading operations were carried out on 208 farms.

Summer And Autumn Rainfall In Relation To Epidemics Of Wheat Stem Rust In Western Australia, W A. Shipton

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

High summer and autumn rainfalls, followed by rust infection of volunteer plants and favourable conditions during late winter and spring, lead to rust epidemics.

WIDESPREAD outbreaks of wheat stem rust are rare in Western Australia.

Irrigation In The South-West : Report On Government-Controlled Areas, 1965-66, G Gauntlett

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

LARGE scale irrigation in the south-western part of Western Australia is confined to the coastal plain, west of the Darling Range where the three irrigation districts of Waroona, Harvey and Collie have been established.

1964 Drought In Connecticut, The, Byron E. Janes, Joseph J. Brumbach

Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station

No abstract provided.