Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

Modifying Fertiliser Practices, J S. Yeates, D. M. Deeley, M. F. Clarke, D. Allen

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

If modified fertiliser practices are adopted phosphorus losses from the Peel-Harvey catchment can be reduced. Farmers can save money on fertiliser applications and the need for more expensive catchment management measures to reduce algal pollution of the estuary will be avoided.

Research data available so far indicate that, with farmer co-operation and the use of the new slow release fertiliser New Coastal Superphosphate, long-term phosphorus application rates can be reduced by 30-40 per cent - and possibly even halved - without lowering agricultural production. This will also reduce phosphorus loss to drainage water.

Although much of the research since 1982 …

How Saltland Can Be Reclaimed, A J. Peck

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

Some possibilities for reclamation of saltland.

Sand Dune Project Stabilises Erosion, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Read how the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service and the Department of Conservation and Environment worked with the Rockingham Shire to upgrade the road and protect the sand dunes.

Saltland And What To Do About It, C V. Malcolm

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

Saltland can be conveniently divided into three main types on the basis of cause. Within each type their is great variation, and the types may merge or overlap.

The three aims of a saltland treatment programme are; reduce the groundwater levels or seepage flows as much as possible,reduce the capillary action which brings salt to the surface, and to revegetate the soils with the most useful plants that can survive.

The European Wasp : A New Threat To W.A, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The European wasp was detected in Western australia for the first time in January and February 1977 in the metropolitan suburbs of Mosman Park, Cottesloe and Attadale.

So far it has only been found within an area of 8 km radius from Fremantle but the outer boundries of the infestation are still uncertain.

It is Department of agriculture policy to eradicate the European wasp, if possible, and to destroy all nests detected.

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 …

Land Systems Of The Brockman River Catchments, S. Porritt

Natural resources published reports

The survey was conducted to gain basic information about the agricultural land use of the Brockman River Catchment. The University of Western Australia Faculty of Agriculture was interested in the area as a compact, agriculturally diverse area close to Perth which was, therefore, suitable for filed studies. The Department of Agriculture, Moora Office was interested in this study as a framework within which to improve its extension services in the area.

Both parties cooperated in investigations of the area by providing data and equipment. Field work was carried out in summer 1973-74 and data compiled by an agricultural science student …

Some Concepts In Rangeland Management, R B. Hacker

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

The arid and semi-arid zones of Australia occupy about 75 per cent of the land mass. The pastoral industries are located within these zones and, although productivity per unit area is low, the region nevertheless constitutes one of the nation's valuable renewable resources.

If properly managed, such a resource may be maintained as a productive asset indefinitely.

Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Grey Kangaroo Management Programme, introduced in 1971 by the Department of Fisheries and Fauna, is designed to ensure the long-term conservation of the grey kangaroo, while at the same time recognising the right of the landholder to protect his primary production from damage.

One of the points which has arisen after examination of the programme is that some individual farmers are not fully aware of the requirements of the regulations.

Plant Cover For Bare And Salt Affected Land, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The contributions made by this State to land reclamation were recognised at an international level last year.

Mr. C. V. Malcolm, a research officer with the Soils Division, presented a paper entitled "Establishing Shrubs in Saline Environments" at a symposium on Useful Wildland Shrubs, Their Biology and Utilisation, at Utah State University, Logan, Utah.

The conclusion to Mr. Malcolm's review, set out below, summarises much of what is known about shrub establishment in saline areas.

Tree Establishment In The Wheatbelt, F Batini

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

Although most of the Forests Department's activity has centred around the State Forests in the higher rainfall areas, the Department has, for many years, encouraged the planting and conservation of trees throughout the farming areas.

Shed Lambing In The Esperance Environment, T Marshall, F. F. Dixon

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

Neonatal lamb mortality is often high in Western Australia and losses as high as 33 per cent, have been recorded on private properties in the Esperance area. Surveys by Western Australian Department of Agriculture officers have indicated that more than threequarters of such lamb deaths occur after birth. About half these deaths result from the combined effects of weather and mismothering.

Work in Victoria has indicated that lamb mortality may be reduced by intensive lambing systems such as shedding and this trial was established to see if shedding could reduce lamb mortality in the Esperance environment.

Overgrazing And Wind Erosion, J R H Riches

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

OVER the last few years wind erosion during the autumn in the wheatbelt districts has become increasingly evident.

This has occurred under normal seasonal conditions and observations in this article are not related to unusual conditions such as the extremely low rainfall during the current season.*

Pasture : Corner-Stone Of Soil Conservation, W J. Burdass

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

LEGUME PASTURE is the basis of prosperity in farming in the agricultural areas of Western Australia.

The livestock industry could not thrive without it and it also maintains fertility and soil structure for the cereal growing industry.

It is, in fact, the comer-stone on which the soil conservation conscious farmer rests his soil management.

West Midlands Development : Farm Planning, G W. Spencer

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

FARM planning relates to the development and sub-division of a property in such a way that it is possible to obtain the safest, most efficient, and most practical use of every acre of land.

The Ord River Regeneration Project. 2. Dealing With The Problem, K Fitzgerald

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

THE PROGRAMME of protective and remedial work being undertaken in the Ord River catchment area had as its major objective the re-establishment of perennial vegetation, as a means of controlling erosion and reducing the silt load of the rivers. It is now in its seventh year of operation.

Multiple Cropping Will Increase The Erosion Hazard, W J. Burdass

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

WITH the low price of wool and the price of wheat high in comparison, farmers need little encouragement to increase their acreage of crops.

Unfortunately with increased cropping comes the risk of increased erosion—unless there is a simultaneous increase in the use of conservation practices.

The Starling, John L. Long

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

Despite their pretty colour and their song, starlings cannot be considered beneficial, especially in the fruit and grain-growing areas of W.A. where they are declared vermin.

MILLIONS of starlings inhabit the settled parts of eastern and south-eastern Australia, but so far they have not reached Western Australia.

Soil Conservation : Contour Banks Must Be Maintained, D J. Carder, G. W. Spencer

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

The wet winter of 1963 showed up faults in many contour bank systems and emphasised that banks won't last forever without maintenance.

This article tells where to look for weaknesses and how to treat them.

Cultivate Saltland And Protect It From Grazing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Cultivate and protect to reclaim

Water For Agriculture. 6. Control Of Algae In Water Supplies, R C. Gorman

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

ALGAE are primitive forms of plant life that are common and normal in surface waters. They are fonnd in every water supply exposed to sunlight.

Their presence is not normally detectable until there are enough of them to make their presence obvious.

Stilling Coastal Sand Drifts With Marram Grass, J L. Mcmullan

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

DRIFTS in dunes on the coast between Albany and Geraldton may be stabilised by planting marram grass (Ammophila arenaria).

However, it should be anticipated that much of the planted grass will die before an area is finally stabilised.

Light Lands In Western Australia. 2. Their Nature, Distribution And Climate, George Henry Burvill

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

LIGHT land development for agriculture is a major feature in the story of agriculture in Western Australia. Sixty years ago there was less than one million acres of arable land.

The total area planted to all crops was less than 250 thousand acres and the wheat harvest was less than one million bushels.

Winter Management Of Salt Land, T C. Stoneman

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

WITH the emergence of crops, many farmers will again be seeing bare patches or thin stands of cereals due to salt accumulation.

Would these areas be better left out of cultivation, or should they have been planted to saltbush and bluebush?

Farm Flora Sancturies, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

NOW that several species of native plants have become totally extinct and many more are becoming rare almost to the point of extinction, interest in the scientific and aesthetic potential of the West Australian flora is awakening.

Flooding Of Salt Land, C V. Malcolm

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

Many farmers have expressed concern and some have gone to considerable expense in trying to alleviate flooding problems on salt affected land.

Some consideration will be given here to flooding, its causes, effects on salt encroachment, methods of prevention and alleviation.

Palatability Of Forage Plants In North-West Sheep Pastures, R H. Collett

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

A DECLINE in carrying capacity has occurred in large areas of the Pilbara district of the North-West, due to the decrease in palatable plants and the increase in unpalatable ones.

The relative palatability of the various species to sheep is therefore a matter of considerable importance to pastoralists.

Fallowing And Soil Conservation, J E. Watson

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

Soil Conservationists don't always disapprove of fallowing, says Soil Conservation Service adviser J. E. Watson.

They are prepared to compromise, and accept fallowing as a useful practice where it means better pasture establishment or more effective land reclamation.

Reclaiming Salt Land With Bluebush, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

IN Western Australia there are approximately a million acres of salt land, some of which is a serious economic problem to individual farmers, unfortunate enough to have the major portion of their properties affected by salt encroachment.

Wild Life In A Modern Age, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

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

THE present human population of the earth is estimated at about 2 1/2 thousand million, and reliable sources consider that this figure will be doubled by the year 2000.

Although the pessimistic forecasts of Malthus have not yet come true, it is obvious that the world's food requirements, must lead to increased exploitation of land and other primary resources, with consequent repercussions on all forms of wild life.