Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

Multi-Timer For Milking Studies, G W R Scott

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

Recent research into milking machine operation has proved that the belief of old-time hand-milkers that fast milking was good milking was soundly based.

In current practice the emphasis is on convenient shed and yard design and systematic routine in handling the cows. This permits a high throughput of cows and a high output of milk per labour unit.

The multi-timer designed and built by Mr. G. W. R. Scott and described in this article will prove most valuable for pinpointing where time is lost.

Flock Testing : Weighing, Sampling And Measurement Procedures For Fleece Measurement, H G. Neil, R. J. Lightfoot

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

An outline of shearing-shed procedure for the collection of greasy fleece weight records and sampling of the fleece for detailed measurement by the Department of Agriculture Flock Testing Service for Merino stud breeders.

Lambing Trials At Abydos Research Station, H Suijdendorp

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

ABYDOS Research Station is halfway between Port Hedland and Wittenoom Gorge. I t is in country of granitic origin that is largely covered with spinifex (mainly Triodia pungens) and associated species.

The results of a recent lambing trial at Abydos are discussed below:

Field Day : Poultry Research : A Progress Report : Poultry Research Station, Wembley, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

AT the fourth field day held at the Department of Agriculture's Poultry Research Station at Wembley recently, about 150 visitors, most of them commercial poultry farmers, inspected the station and saw the progress of the comprehensive research programme being carried out by officers of the Department's Poultry Branch.

Time Of Lambing Experiment : Merredin Research Station, 1959-60 (Progress Report), W L. Mcgarry, I. K. Stott

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

FOLLOWING upon the Time of Lambing Experiments at Esperance Plains Research Station (Journal of Agriculture, May, 1960) it was decided to carry out similar work with Merino sheep under the relatively harsher environment at Merredin Research Station.

Identical Twins, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE response to the Department's appeal for identical twin calves has been gratifying, and so far this year five sets have been located and collected.

In view of the rare occurrence of identical twinning, this indicates excellent co-operation from dairy farmers.

Poisoning Rabbits From The Air, C D. Gooding

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

AERIAL baiting gives spectacular kills of rabbits in country which cannot be effectively treated by conventional means, and has been widely adopted in New Zealand and other States in Australia.

Here Mr. Gooding reports on developments in aerial baiting in Victoria, and suggests practical applications in Western Australia.

Identicial Twins : A Valuable Aid To Animal Husbandry Research, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A T a recent field day at Wokalup Research Station a set of identical twins was shown as being the start of a project to build up a herd or number of such, for research and extension work.

Better Rations For Broiler Production, P Smetana

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

DURING 1959, trials were conducted at the Poultry Research Station, Herdsman Lake, with the object of developing a broiler-feeding ration that was better than the one at present recommended by the Department of Agriculture and commonly used by local broiler producers.

Free Feeding For The Control Of Rabbits, C Marshall

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

IN common with most other farm work, the control of rabbits calls for a high degree of skill, patience and perseverance.

There is no short cut to success, and if results are required we must be prepared to give of our best.

Failures of control works are experienced at various times, and the reasons can generally be traced back to something we have failed to do or some short cut we have tried to take.

However, we should not lose heart from one failure. During normal farming procedure, if a farmer's crop fails he does not give up planting in …

The Success Of The Rabbit 'Killer' Trials, A R. Tomlinson

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

SUCCESS well beyond what was anticipated has been achieved in a two year trial of a modified version of the rabbit "killer" method.

In the "killer" method, trained officers are employed to kill rabbits instead of to inspect and supervise the activities of farmers and, in fact, these officers do all the actual work of destruction.

This system was advocated by the W.A. Royal Commission which reported on Vermin Control in this State in 1944, and it was used successfully in New Zealand.

These trials were applied only to poisoning and not to overall destruction measures. The main object was …

Galah Poisoning : Kill The "Cocky", John L. Long, F. Vagg

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

NO! Not the one that tills the land, but his enemy, the pink and grey galah (Kakatoe rosei-capilla).

Farmers have usually found the destruction of galahs damaging standing crops and bagged, or stored grain, fairly difficult.

Past methods of boiling grain and adding sweetened substances are rather laborious and require a lot of time.

Now, a quick and relatively simple method is available to farmers, using paraffin oil to adhere poison to the grain.

Vermin Control In W.A, A R. Tomlinson

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

THE annual report of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. for 1958-1959 indicated that while vermin control had continued at a relatively high standard throughout the State, most of the animal and bird pests were at the lowest level within the memory of most people.

However, there were ample warnings that any relaxation in control work could have rapid and serious consequences.