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Mastitis In Western Australian Dairy Cattle, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

IN 1964/65, as a first step towards a State-wide mastitis control programme, the Department of Agriculture undertook a survey of mastitis in West Australian dairy herds.

The survey was designed to obtain a clear picture of the incidence and severity of the disease and is the most comprehensive mastitis survey carried out in Australia.

Bluetongue Of Sheep, M R. Gardiner

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

BLUETONGUE is a serious disease of sheep, mainly of introduced European breeds, throughout the African continent.

It is maintained there by wild and domestic ruminants in the presence of certain insect vectors (carriers).

The disease has probably existed there from immemorial times among the indigenous ruminants, emerging as a recognised disease only when the much more susceptible European breeds were brought into the continent.

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.

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.

Round Worms : Important Parasites Of Pigs, F C. Wilkinson

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

ROUND WORMS are usually found in the small intestine of pigs. The adults average six to 10 inches long. They are creamy-white and cylindrical in shape, tapering to a point at both ends.

African Horse Sickness, M R. Gardiner

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

THE viral disease, African horse sickness has become the most menacing contagious disease of equine animals since bacterial and protozoan diseases of the horse, such as glanders and dourine, have declined throughout the world.

Worms In Sheep. 4. Drenches For Treatment And Control Of Worms In Sheep, W A. Halhead

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

PREVIOUS articles in this series have described the species of worms affecting sheep in Western Australia, their life histories and the factors which lead to the seasonal rise and fall in worm burdens.

A programme of strategic (preventative) drenching has been outlined which is based on a knowledge of these seasonal changes in worm burdens.

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.

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.

Pollorum Tested Poultry Flocks, 1966-67, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

PULLORUM disease has been virtually eliminated from breeding and hatchery poultry flocks in Western Australia by the annual blood-testing of all birds and the destruction of reactors.

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.

Pendulous Crop Of Turkeys, M E. Bacon

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

THE condition known as pendulous crop occurs occasionally in a mild form in fowls, but the most commonly reported cases concern the classical symptoms that occur from time to time in turkeys.

The condition is also referred to as baggy crop, dropped crop, hanging crop and sour crop, and causes mortality, poor development and emaciation within turkey flocks in some areas.

Swine Erysipelas, G C De Chaneet

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

SWINE ERYSIPELAS, first diagnosed in Western Australia in 1960, has become a source of considerable loss to the pig industry.

Most losses have resulted from carcass condemnation at abattoirs because of arthritis caused by the erysipelas organism.

Feeding Urea To Dairy Cows, R A. Bettenay

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

IT has been known for some years that the ruminant animal, through the agency of microflora in the rumen, has the ability to use urea as a source of nitrogen, and to convert some of this to protein.

Worms In Sheep. 2. Seasonal Variations In Worm Burdens, R W. Butler

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

The first article in this series described the worms which commonly infest sheep in Western Australia and the symptoms caused by heavy infestations.

This article outlines the effects of seasonal changes on worm burdens in sheep.

AS a basis for planning a worm control programme it is essential to have information on the seasonal changes in worm burdens and on the factors which control these.

In this article, the more important of these are considered.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium. 1. Characteristics Of The Group, T E H Aplin

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

THE toxic species of the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium are a unique group of poison plants which have caused considerable economic loss to stock-raisers in Western Australia ever since the early days of settlement.

These plants are widely distributed over the agricultural areas of the south-west, and, with the opening up of large tracts of land for stock-raising, the danger is as high as it has even been.

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.

The Problem Of Pesticide Residues In Animal Products, J Craig

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

. . . a summary of the present position concerning pesticide residues in animal products, and recommendations for pest control measures which will avoid residue accumulation.

These Worms ........ Caused This, F C. Wilkinson

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

THE weather had been remarkably pleasant, with an odd shower of rain followed by several warm days.

Just the weather for blowfly troubles, so the owner decided it was time he crutched his breeding flock of 500 ewes.

But as the mob approached the yards trouble was coming

A Guide To Good Lamb Marking, H E. Fels

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

LAMB marking is the most severe of the various ordeals that sheep are called upon to endure.

It is a series of surgical operations, each involving a risk of infection, and some involving risks of severe haemorrhage.

Growth rate is reduced to the same extent by rubber rings as by the knife.

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.

Hydatid Disease In Western Australia, K J. Austen

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

BECAUSE hydatid disease is a disease of humans as well as animals every consideration must be given to its control and to the prevention of any possible increase in incidence.

The incidence of hydatids in Western Australia has not, in the past, been very high.

However, the great increase in sheep numbers which has taken place in recent years and which is expected to continue for many years to come, will produce a situation where it could be expected that the incidence of the disease will rise unless stock owners, particularly sheep owners, take appropriate steps to control the tapeworms …

Pig Castration, F C. Wilkinson

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

Castration - a necessary task made easier if done early. Clear instructions with pictures.

What Is The Difference?, F C. Wilkinson

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

A lesson to be learnt - a dose in time saves the line.

Worms In Sheep. 3. Control Of Worms By Drenching, R W. Butler

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

DRENCHING for worm control must be carefully timed in relation to the effect of climatic conditions on the development and survival of worm larvae on the pastures, and the seasonal variation in worm burdens carried by sheep.

Danger : Watch Out For Foot-And-Mouth Disease, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

This article was prepared by officers of the Department of Agriculture's Animal Division, with the approval of the Chief Quarantine Officer (Animals) for Western Australia.

THE introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into Australia would be an event of national importance.

Its economic consequences could be far-reaching and grave.

Down But Not Out [Milk Fever], F C. Wilkinson

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

The five-year-old Jersey cow pictured had calved overnight.

In the previous year this cow had been the highest producer in the herd, so the farmer was very pleased to see she had produced a heifer calf.

Do You Know This Disease [Scabby Mouth], F C. Wilkinson

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

This sheep is showing rather severe lesions of "scabby mouth" a disease widely distributed in both the pastoral and agricultural areas.

Warning : Footrot Threatens South-West Sheep Industry, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

DURING the past few months footrot has appeared in sheep in the South-West in an area extending from Busselton southwards to Kudardup.

This area has only recently been stocked with sheep which have been purchased from many sources.

It is probable that there were a few "carriers" amongst these introduced sheep, and that under the favourable conditions of the South-West the infection was able to develop and spread and then to declare itself in clinical form.

Reproductive Wastage And The Sheep Shortage In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WESTERN AUSTRALIA has an acute shortage of sheep.

It is estimated that about seven million extra sheep are needed to stock existing pastures fully; meanwhile the carrying capacity of the State's pastures is increasing at the rate of three million sheep a year.