Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

Buying Veterinary Products : Read The Label First, G A L Ward

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

Chenicals for animal health, and processed feeds must be registered and labelled.

Registration is intended to insure that products are effective for the purpose they are sold, and safe when used according to instructions.

It is important to read the lable to understand the correct use of the product.

Pigs May Need More Protein, N W. Godfrey

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

Results of trials indicate that meatmeal based rations of 18 to 20 per cent protein may improve carcase quality and give better returns.

Some Basic Facts About Primary Blowflies, N Monzu

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

Research has begun on blowfly species attacking sheep in Western Australia. Already this research has indicated the importance of a species in Western Australia which is not a problem in the Eastern States.

Future management of sheep flocks to minimise fly strike may require recognition of the differences between blowfly species. This article gives a description of the primary species - those which can initiate strikes.

Controlling Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, C H. Trotman

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

Eight years of intensive work has changed annual ryegrass toxicity from an unknown killer to a manageable problem.

The Philosophy Of Drenching Sheep In Western Australia, G C De Chaneet

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

Sheep of all classes are drenched more or less regularly throughout the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

Much of the drench is wasted because it is used in the wrong circumstances. This situation is probably a result of poor understanding of drenching.

This article discusses the philosophy of drenching and attempts to relate this to the epidemiology of parasitism as it is currently understood.

Lumpy Wool May Increase By Dipping : Research Roundup, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Lumpy wool, or mycotic dermatitis, is an infectious disease on the skin of the sheep caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus conglensis. The organism invades the wool and hair follicles, causing formation of skin lesions producing scabby material which binds the wool fibres into a hard mass.

Research shows that 'dipping' may increase the incidence of lumpy wool with some chemicals a greater risk than others.

Ryegrass Disease Could Spread, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The disease annual ryegrass toxicity kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected annual ryegrass. In Western Australia the first confirmed outbreak was in 1968 in the Gnowangerup area.

The disease has noe spread over a range of 450 kilometres and with a total area of perhaps 100 000 hectares. because annual ryegrass is the major sown pasture grass in W.A. the disease could spread throughout the South-West.

There are some precautions that can be taken.

Bulletin No 3863 - Plants Which Cause Kimberley Horse Disease, A. L. Payne

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Crotalaria crispata and Crotalaria retusa (Rattlepod), two plants responsible for Kimberley horse disease*, are, unfortunately, fairly widespread throughout the Kimberleys. Both species are apparently toxic in all stages of growth.

This bulletin is to assist pastoralists to:-

• Identify the two plants;

• Recognise the type of country and conditions under which they grow; and

• Locate horse paddocks on country where the plants are least likely to occur.

A Survey Of Shearing Times, B R. Beetson

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

When do farmers in W.A. shear their sheep, and why do they selest the times they do?

A Department of Agriculture survey attempted to answer these questions, which have important implications for the wool industry.

Calcium And Phosphorus Requirements In Lupin Seed Rations For Pigs, N W. Godfrey, A. R. Mercy

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

Seed of lupin varieties now available can be combined with wheat or barley to produce a balanced diet for growing/finishing pigs, and lupin seed has become a popular ingredient of pig rations.

As a protein concentrate, lupin seed is a satisfactory alternative to meatmeal, provided adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus are added as supplements. Without the addition of these elements to rations of lupin seed and grain, a number of problems are likely to arise.

Trials at the Medina Pig Research Station have shown that Christmas Island rock phosphate is the cheapest and most convenient source of supplementary calcium …

The Sheep Measles Control Programme, J B. White

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

In the first seven months of 1968 Australia exported to the United States 17 747 tons of boned mutton; of this 2 198 tons, or 12.4 per cent, was condemned on arrival in that country.

The main cause of rejection was the presence of Cystkercus ovis cysts, the intermediate stage of the tapeworm Taenia ovis, of which the definitive host is the dog.

In 1969 the Western Australian Department of Agriculture decided to study the epidemiology of this disease.

This was the beginning of the work which would evolve into the 'Three Shire Control Programme'

Lupinosis And Rates Of Stocking Of Lupin Stubbles, K P. Croker, J. G. Allen, C. R. Lester, R. B. Guthrie

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

Lupin stubbles provide valuable summer sheep feed but under some conditions the fungus Phomopsis rossiana (for which lupins are the host plant) produces a toxin that causes lupinosis. Results from research at Badaingarra Research Station over the 1973-74 and 1974- 75 summers have shown that sheep liver damage associated with lupin stubble grazing is likely to be more severe at high than low stocking rates.

Development Of A Selective Bait For Rabbits, A J. Oliver, S. H. Wheeler

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

It has long been recognised that a means of killing rabbits selectively in the presence of stock would be a major advance in rabbit control. It would enable a whole farm to be treated for rabbit control at one time, saving operational costs and cutting down reinfestation of rabbits into treated areas from untreated areas.

A literature search and some pilot trials indicated that indandione derivatives were more toxic to rabbits than to ruminants.

Pindone (2- pivalyl-l,3-indandione) was selected for evaluation.

Annual ('Wimmera') Ryegrass Toxicity, Geoffrey A. Pearce, O. M. Goss, P. H. Berry, J. L. Wise

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

Because annual ryegrass is one of the most widespread pasture plants in Western Australia, annual ryegrass toxicity is a threat to livestock in many agricultural areas—even though the area now affected is small.

The problem is being intensively studied by the Department of Agriculture and a working group has been set up to investigate potential control measures.

In this article the group reviews the problem and reports progress in its investigations to the end of 1973.

Cancer Eye Of Cattle, M R. Gardiner, J. L. Anderson, D. E. Robertson

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

Cancer of the eye and eyelids is mainly a disease of cattle, although it occasionally occurs in most species of animals and in man. It is the most common cancer in cattle, especially in certain breeds.

Wimmera Ryegrass Toxicity, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Wimmera ryegrass toxicity has been reported for many years to affect sheep and occasionally cattle in New Zealand, South Australia and the United States of America.

In Western Australia, occasional reports since 1959 and severe outbreaks of staggers in the Katanning- Gnowangerup areas over the last two years prompted the investigation reported below.

Fumigation And Rabbit Control, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Fumigation has been a valuable tool in Australian rabbit control for over 70 years, because of its economy and efficiency compared with methods such as shooting and trapping.

Even now, while it is not as economical as 'one-shot' baiting, fumigation remains a valuable initial control effort because it is not affected by season and does not require shifting of stock.

Sheep Fertility In Western Australia, R J. Lightfoot

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

Why do one-quarter of the ewes that are joined in W.A. fail to lamb? Sheep and Wool Adviser Dr. R. J. Lightfoot analyses the eight stages in sheep reproduction, explaining the causes and possible prevention of infertility at each stage.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Thick-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Crassifolium Benth.), Narrow-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Stenophyllum Turcz.), Mallet Poison (Gastrolobium Densifolium C.A. Gardn.), Wall-Flower Poison (Gastrolobium Grandifolorum F. Muell), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with three species of Gastrolobium which are found in the south-west region of Western Australia. Two of these extend into the Eyre District, the third species is found in the Lake Grace area. The fourth species, Wall-flower poison, is the only toxic species of the genus found outside the State.

Basic Pig Breeding, P Mcnamara

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

PROFITABLE pig raising depends on the tumoff of efficiently grown animals. Breeders should be selected for growth rate, and proper care of the breeding sow will ensure that her litters are large and healthy.

A rapid increase in the number of breeding sows in Western Australia suggests that some relatively inexperienced breeders may have started raising pigs. This article sets out the best pig breeding methods as a guide to beginners and a reminder to more experienced pig raisers.

Pasture Legume Varieties And Ewe Fertility, T Marshall, H. E. Fels, H. G. Neil, R. C. Rossiter

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

ALTHOUGH it was first thought that all varieties of subterranean clover would cause ewe infertility, research in the last 10 to 15 years has shown that varieties differ in potency.

The relative level of potency has also been shown to remain consistent for any one variety under normal conditions.

Cotton Bush (Asclepias Fruticosa L.) : Garden Plant Now A Noxious Weed, G R W Meadly

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

THE cotton bush is native to South Africa but is now naturalised in most tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. Its spread is, in no small measure, due to being grown frequently as a garden subject.

Calotropis Or Rubber Tree (Calctropis Procera (Linn.) Dryand), G R W Meadly

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

TWO SPECIES of Calotropis have been introduced to the northern parts of Western Australia. They are closely related in most respects but differ in one fundamental feature which decides their significance as undesirable plants.

Mycotic Dermatitis (Lumpy Wool) Of Sheep, M R. Gardiner

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

MYCOTIC dermatitis is a common disease of the skin and overlying wool of sheep (and other herbivorous animals).

The photographs show the typical crusts and scabs which result from infection of skin, hair and wool follicles by the mycotic dematitis organism.

This article reviews the causes of lumpy wool infection and sets out control measures.

Mulesing : Still The Best Weapon Against Fly-Strike, R A. Mills

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

IN SPITE of modern chemicals and insecticides, blow-fly strike remains one of the major problems facing sheep farmers today.

Infectious Sinusitis Of Turkeys, J Edgar

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

Climatic conditions in W.A. are ideal for turkey production if advantage is taken of the wide open spaces. Over-crowded, poorly ventilated quarters are ideal for the spread of infectious sinusitis, and the disease, once established, is hard to eliminate without a complete change of birds.

This article provides advice for the prevention of this important disease at a time when turkey raising is increasing in W.A.

Wildlife Hazards From 1080 Baiting, A R. Tomlinson, C. D. Gooding

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

ONE-SHOT oat baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a relatively safe method of trail baiting rabbits.

The hazard to wildlife is small and every effort is made to further reduce the hazard by selective application of the poison.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Wodjil Poison (Gastrolobium Floribundum S. Moore) Breelya Or Kite-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Laytonii J. White) Roe's Poison (Oxylobium Spectabile Endl.) Granite Poison (Oxylobium Graniticum S. Moore), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with four species which are found in the pastoral area although three of them are also present in the agricultural area.

Prevent Worms In Cattle, G C De Chaneet

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

PARASITIC gastro enteritis, caused by roundworms, is a common cause of economic loss in calves, yearlings and occasionally cows in south-western Australia. Losses could be prevented if stock owners realised the full effects of these parasites, and understood the causes of worm infestation.

Rearing Orphan Kangaroos, G L. Ward

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

LICENCES are required in Western Australia if certain kangaroos and all species of wallabies are kept in captivity, but orphaned young joeys often need care and hand feeding before they can be released to fend for themselves.