bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observations on some aspects of the Smithfield system of pig carcase appraisal
Authors: Fagan VJ
Published: March 2005

The hams and shoulders of 315 pig carcases, ranging in weight from 90 to 174 lb, were visually appraised by four judges. The carcases were then jointed and the hams, middles and shoulders were weighed. There was no significant correlation between the visual appraisal scores and the weights of the joints expressed as a percentage of total carcase weight. Nor was there a significant correlation between the marks gained by the carcases on the basis of their body lengths and the weights of the middles expressed as a percentage of carcase weight. The economic advantage of a pig carcase with heavy hams and light shoulders is small, and it is suggested that there is no merit in continuing to appraise shoulders and hams visually when judging pig carcases. Where appraisal of these joints is required it is better to consider their weights in relation to total carcase weight.
Vernalization and flowering in skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea)
Authors: Cuthbertson EG
Published: March 2005

Experiments are described which indicate that although vernalization accelerates floral initiation in skeleton weed it is not an obligate requirement. The vernalization effect seems to be at a maximum after six to eight weeks of exposure to cold. There are indications that a short juvenile phase of four to six weeks duration may be present.
Feed analyses and mineral contents of lupins associated with lupinosis of sheep in Western Australia
Authors: Gardiner MR , Gorman RC
Published: March 2005

Lupin components from 25 experimental paddocks in the Gingin-Dandaragan area were analysed for standard feed components and trace elements in 1961 and 1962-63. Lupinosis had occurred in all the experimental paddocks. Much of this area is deficient in trace elements and lupinosis appeared in 1948 soon after copper-ore topdressing was introduced and the use of superphosphate greatly expanded. The analyses were related to soil types, past dressings of copper and zinc, and compared with general lupin analyses in the district. Protein and calcium in the leaf and seed and calcium to phosphorus ratios in the leaf were high. Cobalt was often below the critical range for sheep health, iron was very high (815-2400 p.p.m. in leaves), organic sulphate was low (mean 0.2 per cent) and manganese was high (mean 326 p.p.m. in leaves). Molybdenum varied widely and was related to past copper and zinc topdressing. It was high in lupin seed where copper-ore topdressings were applied. Copper was marginal for sheep health (3-6 p.p.m.) in leaf and seed and deficient in stems and in associated grasses. Copper was lower and molybdenum higher on paddocks where lupinosis was severe.
Further investigations on the use of lime on established pastures
Authors: Barrow NJ
Published: March 2005

In glasshouse experiments the increased nitrogen mineralization resulted in a large response of grass to lime. Light dressings of lime increased yield of clovers. This was not due to correcting manganese toxicity. Heavy dressings of lime depressed yield of clovers. This was not due to induced manganese deficiency but was, at least partly, due to induced phosphorus deficiency. Waterlogging the soil increased phosphorus availability and hence partly overcame the depressive effects of high lime. In field experiments ground limestone at 1 ton an acre was applied to a range of pastures and soil types on the coastal plain of south-western Australia. Pasture responses were poorly related to the original pH of the soil but were proportional to the increase in pH.
The response of peanuts to phosphate fertilizers at Katherine, N.T
Authors: Phillips LJ , Norman MJT
Published: March 2005

A four-year experiment on the response of successive crops of peanuts to rates of superphosphate and rock phosphate as initial broadcast applications on virgin land and to rates of annual banded superphosphate was carried out at Katherine, N.T., between 1960 and 1964. By the third year of cropping, with no annual superphosphate, the yield from 4 cwt an acre Nauru or Christmas Island rock phosphate applied initially was slightly greater than that from 4 cwt an acre superphosphate and substantially greater than that from 2 cwt an acre superphosphate. Nauru and Christmas Island rock phosphate were of approximately equal effectiveness. No significant responses were obtained to gypsum in the presence of Christmas Island rock phosphate. Peanuts responded to annual banded applications of superphosphate up to 1 cwt an acre in spite of heavy initial broadcast applications of phosphate. The banded superphosphate was of particular benefit in the establishment and early growth of the crop.
The plant nutrient status of granite soils from the Bendemeer area of New South Wales
Authors: McMullen F
Published: March 2005

A factorial glasshouse pot trial was used to examine the supply of phosphorus, boron, zinc, copper, cobalt, magnesium, molybdenum, potassium, and manganese, to the Dwalganup strain of Trifolium subterraneum L. growing in virgin granite soils from Bendemeer, New South Wales. Calcium sulphate was applied as a basal nutrient. Significant dry matter responses were obtained on all four virgin soils to the application of phosphorus, molybdenum, and potassium; to copper on two soils; and to boron and cobalt on one soil. Phosphorus was so deficient that responses to other plant nutrients did not occur in its absence. On all soils, significant first order interactions were recorded between phosphorus and other deficient elements. In addition, significant interactions were recorded between molybdenum and magnesium, copper and molybdenum, boron and molybdenum, copper and cobalt, and potassium and molybdenum.
Efficiency of water usage in perennial pasture production
Authors: Bartels LF
Published: March 2005

Perennial pasture on a red-brown earth at Werribee, Victoria, was subjected to four irrigation treatments, resembling fixed moisture regimes. Maximum yields were obtained from plots watered whenever moisture suction in the topsoil reached three atmospheres. Frequent irrigation produced a pasture richer in clover than did infrequent irrigation, but led to appreciable water loss by deep seepage. Distribution and utilization of the applied irrigation water were most efficient with infrequent irrigation.
Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 4. Variation between sheep in intake, wool production, and efficiency
Authors: McManus WR , Arnold GW , Dudzinski ML
Published: March 2005

The results of a three-year experiment with Merino wethers grazed at four stocking rates were examined. There were consistent differences between individual sheep at all times of the year in their intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI), clean wool production (WP), and in their efficiency of conversion of food to wool (E). Within stocking rates there were no consistent relationships between DOMI and WP.
The variability of yield in pastoral flocks
Authors: Khandakar AW , Lang WR
Published: March 2005

Mid-side yield was determined on 5,410 fleeces from 49 Merino, 3 Polwarth, and 4 Corriedale flocks from Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. Yield decreased as staple crimp frequency increased and as mean fibre thickness decreased. There were fewer exceptions in the former than in the latter. The mean mid-side yield of a flock was negatively correlated with its coefficient of variation. The range of yield in the various staple crimp or mean fibre thickness classes in the flock was surprisingly wide and only slightly less than that for the whole flock.
Soil properties and tree vigour in the Goulburn Valley
Authors: Cockroft B , Wallbrink JC
Published: March 2005

A survey technique was used to correlate several field properties of soils with size of fruit trees in commercial orchards of the Goulbum Valley, Victoria. Where the surface soil was shallow (about 6 inches) its depth was the most important factor affecting tree size, but heaviness of the subsoil also had an effect. Where the surface soil was deep (about 10 inches), the important property was its mechanical composition, depth being of secondary importance.
Response to salinity in Glycine. 1. G. javanica
Authors: Gates CT , Haydock KP , Little IP
Published: March 2005

The brigalow lands of N.E. Australia are known to have a high salt content. Tests on soils selected from samples taken during a regional survey showed salt contents from 0.2 to 1.69 per cent. Salt tolerance is thus a useful quality for any pasture plants for these soils. Glycine javanica, which has shown promise as a pasture legume in the brigalow, was tested in two expetiments in which the salinity of a water culture was gradually increased by daily increments of salt until levels of up to 240 m-equiv. were obtained. With the highest levels of salt, yield dropped to 25 per cent of that of the controls. Nitrogen content was unaffected. Phosphorus content rose by up to 100 per cent in the roots, but did not change in the tops. The percentage of soluble nitrogen increased by more than 50 per c a t as salinity rose, indicating that protein synthesis was impaired. Adaptation to salinity stress was favoured by gradual changes in its severity and by continued exposure. There were varietal differences in the pattern of chloride distribution within the plant which require further study.
The effect of temperature and soil moisture on summer survival of two varieties of Phalaris tuberosa
Authors: Hoen K
Published: March 2005

The variety Australian Commercial and C.P.I. 19331 of Phalaris tuberosa were grown in two-gallon containers at two plant densities, two shading levels, and two subsoil moisture levels. Shading during the summer reduced soil temperature near the surface by an average of 26�F but had no effect on survival. Percentage survival was highest at low plant density and where moisture was supplied to the subsoil. The Moroccan variety C.P.I. 19331 had a higher survival rate than Australian Commercial under all conditions. The conclusion is drawn that survival depends mainly on the availability of subsoil moisture during the summer.
Seed transmission of Itersonilia pastinacae in parsnip and its elimination by a steam-air treatment
Authors: Smith PR
Published: March 2005

The fungus Itersonilia pastinacae Channon, which causes parsnip canker, was found to persist both on the surface of parsnip seed and also in the trash associated with the seed. The fungus on the seed coat could be inactivated by chemical surface sterilization. However, to inactivate it from the trash, it was necessary to treat the seed sample with a steam-air mixture at a temperature of 45.5�C for 30 minutes.
The effect of frequency of insemination, dilution and dose rate of semen on the fertility of three breeds of chickens.
Authors: Pym RAE
Published: March 2005

Two factorial experiments were used to determine the effect of frequency of insemination and of dose and dilution rates on fertility in two and three breeds of chickens respectively. The semen used in both trials was obtained from a group of Synthetic breed cockerels. (The Synthetic breed was a closed population based on White Leghorn-Australorp crosses). In the frequency of insemination trial, White Leghorn and Australorp pullets were used. White Leghorns were more fertile than Australorps at both weekly and twice weekly inseminations (P<0.001). Australorp pullets had significantly higher fertility when inseminated twice a week compared to once a week (P<0.001). White Leghorn fertility improved to a far lesser extent with the more frequent inseminations. In the dose dilution trial, Australorp, Leghorn, and Synthetic pullets were used. With inseminations at once a week, over the three breeds, ninety per cent fertility was obtained when dose-dilution combinations provided between 0.03 and 0.04 ml of undiluted semen. Leghorns and Synthetics appeared to be more fertile than Australorps although the differences were not significant.
Effect of prolonged undernutrition on the recovery and reproductive performance of maiden Merino ewes
Authors: McInnes P , Grainger TJ , Smith MD
Published: March 2005

Data are presented on the recovery and reproductive performance of 2 1/2-year-old maiden Merino ewes after a prolonged period of undernutrition. The 217 sheep had been hand-fed on a submaintenance ration in pen feeding trials at Glenfield, New South Wales. During the seven months of the trials they had lost 6 kg (28 to 22 kg) body weight. They were transported to Condobolin in south-western New South Wales, divided into two treatment groups and run on good quality pastures. One group was joined immediately (May 1959) and again ten months later, and the other group was mated after six months at Condobolin (in October 1959) and again 12 months later. The ewes recovered rapidly. The mean weight of both groups had reached 30 kg within six weeks and 40 kg within six months. In the first year 73 of the 100 May-mated ewes bore lambs, but only 38 of these lambs were weaned. Ewes bearing lambs had a higher body weight at the start of joining and gained more during joining than the barren ewes. At the other three joinings (October 1959, May 1960, October 1960) lambing percentage was from 86-89 and weaning percentage from 62-69-both normal for the district. The proportion of twin lambs (3-6 per cent) was low. Wool weight in 1959 was not affected by time of mating or by pregnancy.
The contribution of some tropical legumes to pasture yields of dry matter and nitrogen at Samford, South-eastern Queensland
Authors: Jones RJ , Griffiths Davies J , Waite RB
Published: March 2005

Eleven legumes were grown individually with Paspalum plicatulum Michx. c.v. Hartley in grazed plots from 1959 to 1963. Yields of dry matter and nitrogen were recorded. Additional legumes and nitrogen fertilizer treatments replaced the non-persistent legume treatments from December 1960. Of the eleven legumes used initially, Phaseolus atropurpureus D.C., Phaseolus atropurpureus X (F3 seed from the cross C.P.I. 16877 x 16879), and Lotononis bainesii Bak. were the most productive and persistent. A diploid Indigofera spicata Forsk. sown in 1960 was less productive but appeared to be persistent. Vgna marina Merr., V. repens L., and two Desmodium sandwicense E.Mey. introductions persisted for two years. Five Glycine javanica L. introductions, Dolichos biflorus L., and Chamaecrista fasciculata Greene failed to persist for more than one year. The nitrogen yield of the best legume treatment (P. atropurpureus X) was equivalent to the nitrogen yield from grass fertilized with 170 lb of nitrogen an acre a year as urea, but the dry matter yields were only equivalent to those of grass fertilized with 90 lb nitrogen an acre a year. Yields of nitrogen and dry matter for the P. atropurpureus lines and L. bainesii were closely correlated with effective rainfall during the growing season over the four full years of the trial. Nitrogen transfer to the associate grass increased with time and was greater for the P. atropurpuretls lines than for L. bainesii.
A comparison of methods of estimating milk intake of lambs and milk yield of ewes at pasture
Authors: Moore RW
Published: March 2005

The milk intake of lambs sucking strong-wool Merino ewes at pasture was estimated by the lamb-suckling technique. This measure of milk production was compared with the estimate of the milk yield of the same ewes obtained after oxytocin injections. The ewes were divided subjectively into two classes, those that would stand for the lamb throughout the lamb-suckling test period and those that would not. During the first four weeks of lactation the ratios of the oxytocin estimate to the lamb suckling estimate were 99:100 (P> 0.10) for the former class and 106 : 100 (P<0.01) for the latter class. The corresponding ratios during the last six weeks were 104 : 100 (P> 0.05) and 116 : 100 (P<0.01). It was concluded that for the former class the two techniques are in good agreement.
The effect of chemical fertilizers on seedling establishment
Authors: Carter OG
Published: March 2005

The effect of banding a range of commercial fertilizers with the seed, on the establishment of a number of crop and pasture species, was studied. The order of susceptibility of species to germination damage was swede turnips>chou moellier> subterranean clover> phalaris> perennial ryegrass> cowpeas> vetches> wheat > oats, which was least affected of all. Superphosphate caused the least reduction in establishment, potassium chloride was intermediate and nitrogenous fertilizers caused the greatest reduction. Of the nitrogen fertilizers urea was the most harmful, sulphate of ammonia intermediate, and calcium ammonium nitrate caused least effect. Low soil moisture content greatly increased fertilizer damage.
Increase in chlorine content of cervical mucus as a simple test for impending ovulation and for oestrogenic stimulation in ewes
Authors: Turnbull KE , Shutt DA , Braden AWH
Published: March 2005

The chloride concentration in the cervical mucus of ewes was estimated by applying a sample of the mucus to paper impregnated with silver chromate. The concentration was equivalent to 0.1-0.3 per cent sodium chloride during dioestrus, rose to 0.7-0.9 per cent about 24 hours before the onset of oestrus and fell to about 0.4 per cent shortly before ovulation occurred. More precise measurements of the ionic concentration of the cervical mucus by a photometric method indicated that the chloride concentration rose from a mean level of 98 m.equiv. per litre (equivalent to 0.6 per cent NaCl) approximately 24 hours before oestrus to 122 m.equiv. per litre (equivalent to 0.7 per cent NaCl) during oestrus; the concentration of sodium increased from 105 to 137 m.equiv. per litre, and potassium decreased from 27 to 14 m.equiv. per litre. The rise in chloride concentration in the mucus was associated with an increase in the amount of mucus present. In ovariectomized ewes an increase in the chloride content of the cervical mucus from 0.1 to 0.7 per cent occurred within 24 hours after either the intramuscular injection of stilboestrol (4 to 20 �g) or feeding oestrogenic red clover (0.75 to 3 kg wet weight), and indicates that the method may be useful for rapid oestrogen bioassay in sheep. Progesterone given at the same time, but not when given 48 hours before, depressed the response.
The effect of soil temperature on nodulation of cowpeas (Vigna sinensis)
Authors: Philpotts H
Published: March 2005

In two pot experiments at Narrabri, New South Wales, Poona cowpeas (Vigna sinensis) were sown in a black chernozemic soil at 1, 2, and 4 inches, and at 1 1/2 and 4 inches with and without a straw mulch, to give a range of soil temperatures at the depth of sowing. It was found that the higher the soil temperature at sowing depth the lower was the percentage of plants with nodules and the number of nodules per plant.
The relation between application and penetration of water into sandy soils
Authors: Till MR
Published: March 2005

The relation between application and penetration of water was examined on two soil types where the top soil is a coarse uniform sand. The relation y = -0.40 + 9 . 0 2x was found for Barmera Sand, and y = 1.48 + 9 . 1 8x and y = 1.86 + 10.31x for Winkie Sand where y = penetration of water (inches) and x = application of water (inches). The regression coefficients were significantly different from zero (P<0.001), and from this it is concluded that uneven distribution of water from sprinklers is mirrored in an uneven penetration of water.
The effect of frequency and time of cutting on the production and quality of a barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) dominant pasture
Authors: Robards GE , Leigh JH
Published: March 2005

A grazing experiment on a barley grass (Hordeum leporium Link) dominant pasture at Deniliquin, New South Wales, was carried out from May to November 1964. Monthly grazing of this pasture resulted in a greater dry matter yield of both green and total barley grass, and of crude protein, than when grazing occurred less frequently. The greatest stimulus to production was achieved when grazing occurred in August or September when the plants were approaching flowering. Rat's-tail fescue (Vulpia myuros (L.) K.C. Gmel), the other main component of the pasture, was not stimulated to greater total dry matter production by increasing the frequency of grazing. However, significantly more green fescue was harvested from areas grazed most frequently. The quality of both species, as estimated by nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility of barley grass and nitrogen content of fescue, was higher late in the season on the monthly grazed areas than on areas grazed less frequently.
The effect of wet season land treatment and nitrogen fertilizer on safflower, linseed, and wheat in the Ord River valley. 3. Wheat
Authors: Beech DF , Norman MJT , McIntyre GA
Published: March 2005

Gabo wheat was grown under irrigation at Kimberley Research Station in the 1964 dry season following 6 months and 18 months clean and weedy fallows. Four levels of nitrogen fertilizer, as ammonium sulphate and urea, were superimposed. After 6 months clean fallow and 6 and 18 months weedy fallows, grain and dry-matter yield responded to up to 160 lb N an acre. Grain and dry-matter yield after 6 months clean fallow were greater than those after weedy fallows at the same nitrogen fertilizer level. After 18 months clean fallow no significant responses to nitrogen fertilizer were obtained. Mitscherlich curves were fitted to the total dry-matter and grain yield responses to nitrogen fertilizer after the four fallowing treatments. The analysis indicated that 1 part of nitrogen as ammonium sulphate was equivalent to 1.61 (dry matter) or 1.72 (grain) parts of nitrogen as urea. There were strong correlations (r = 0.956 for dry matter; r = 0.917 for grain) between the Mitscherlich constants for individual replicates of the fallow treatments and soil nitrate-nitrogen measured in the 0-3 foot profile before sowing. Soil nitrate-nitrogen, mineralized and accumulated during a summer clean fallow, appears to be almost three times as effective in producing a grain yield response as nitrogen applied as ammonium sulphate at sowing, and almost five times as effective as urea nitrogen at sowing.
Skin folds and Merino breeding. 7. The relations of heat applied to the testis and scrotal thermo-regulation to fertility in the Merino ram
Authors: Fowler DG
Published: March 2005

Variation in the fertility of Merino rams whose scrota and testes were heated in a chamber enclosing the scrotum was found to be mainly due to variation in the amount of heat reaching the testes. Variation in fertility due to variation in the response of the testes of different rams to the same amount of heat was found to be relatively unimportant. These conclusions are supported by two pieces of evidence. The first is that rams with genetically differing abilities to control the amount of heat reaching their testes have differing fertility when allowed to express this advantage, but similar fertility when they experience similar heat loads to their testes. The second is that a high correlation (r = -0.926 P<0.005) was found between an expression of the amount of heat reaching the testes and the fertility of rams. Various other expressions of the amount of heat reaching the testes were less highly correlated with fertility.
The nutritional value of four tropical grasses when fed as chaff and pellets to sheep
Authors: Minson DJ , Milford R
Published: March 2005

Pangola (Digitaria decumbens), kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), setaria (Setaria sphacelata), and buffel grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris) were cut at different stages of growth and artificially dried to provide ten feeds with a range of leaf percentages (13-56), nitrogen contents (0.42-3.70 per cent), and acid detergent fibre percentage (26.3-43.3). Half of each cut was chaffed and the remainder pelleted. Both pellets and chaff were fed to Merino wethers in metabolism cages. Pelleting decreased the mean digestibility of dry matter by 6.8 percentage units, nitrogen by 2.2 percentage units, and ADF by 11.5 percentage units. Pelleting increased the mean voluntary intake by sheep 47 per cent for dry matter and 27 per cent for digestible dry matter with only minor differences in response to pelleting mature and young grass. The smallest increase from pelleting was 4.1 per cent for buffel grass containing 0.42 per cent N. In grass of the same age in which the nitrogen content had been increased to 0.75 by fertilizer nitrogen, pelleting increased intake by 26.6 per cent. It was concluded that with mature tropical grasses the response to pelleting may be limited by a low nitrogen content. Pelleting may be a useful technique for eliminating the effect of physical structure when studying factors affecting the voluntary intake of pasture plants.
Studies on selenuim in the nutrition of sheep
Authors: Peirce AW , Jones GB
Published: March 2005

In an area where the selenium concentration in the pastures appeared barely adequate, and where growth rate of lambs was commonly poor, experiments were conducted with 300 lambs during four successive years, to study the effects of supplements of selenium, cobalt, selenium plus cobalt, and vitamin E. The absence of any effect of treatment with selenium (or the other supplements) on growth rate, wool production, or level of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in the serum indicated that selenium deficiency did not affect the sheep during the experimental period. The toxic effects of regular oral doses of large amounts of selenium (up to 600 �gSe/kg/day) were studied on 50 mature wethers for periods up to 15 months. Food consumption and body weight increase were depressed by 200 �gSe/kg/day, and food consumption by 300 �g, while some mortality occurred at 400 �g. The selenium concentration in the blood and the tissues increased with rate and duration of intake; that in the tissues fell gradually after dosing with selenium was discontinued. No pathological changes were observed in the tissues of the sheep that survived the selenium treatment. It is unlikely that the amounts of selenium required to prevent selenium deficiencies in sheep will prove toxic to the animals.
The effect of anti-fungal antibiotics on the nodulation of Trifolium subterraneum and the estimation of Rhizobium trifolii populations
Authors: Robinson AC
Published: March 2005

Three anti-fungal antibiotics (cycloheximide, griseofulvin, and mycostatin) were tested for their effects on inoculated Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover). All three influenced the growth and nodulation of the test plant, the effects being least with mycostatin. Mycostatin was further examined for its effect on a plant-infection technique for estimating Rhizobium numbers. The presence in culture media of mycostatin did not impair the accuracy of the plant-infection test for counting rhizobia in a pure culture. Moreover, when the plant-infection technique was used for counting rhizobia in soil, the antibiotic reduced the amount of infection of the test plant by miscellaneous soil micro-organisms, thereby improving nodulation. It is concluded that the incorporation of mycostatin into media (100 p.p.m.) used for growing test plants in plant-infection tests will improve the reliability of the method.
A preliminary assessment of the adaptation of semi-dwarf wheat varieties to the Ord River valley
Authors: Beech DF , Norman MJT
Published: March 2005

In the 1966 dry season at Kimberley Research Station in the Ord River valley, the performance under irrigation of three semi-dwarf wheat varieties was compared with that of two Australian varieties at three times of sowing and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer in factorial combination. The general response of the semi-dwarf varieties to time of sowing did not differ from that of the Australian varieties. All varieties, at 0 and 160 lb an acre N, gave higher grain yields when sown in late May than when sown in mid-April or late June. At 320 lb an acre N, each variety gave approximately the same grain yield whether sown in mid-April or late May, with a lower yield from late June sowings. All varieties increased in grain yield between 0 and 160 lb an acre N, but when nitrogen was increased from 160 to 320 lb an acre, the yield of the Australian varieties declined while that of the semi-dwarf varieties either increased or remained approximately the same. As a group, the semi-dwarf varieties differed only from the Australian varieties in their ability to use a high uptake of nitrogen for grain production, in their greater harvest index, 2nd in their lower grab nitrogen content. The highest yields, 75-80 bushels an acre, were obtained from Mexico 120 and Chile 1B.
The digestibility and intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)
Authors: Milford R , Minson DJ
Published: March 2005

The dry matter digestibility and voluntary intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass cut on eight occasions were measured with sheep in metabolism cages. The maximum difference between varieties in digestibility percentage was 2.6 (P<0.01) for monthly regrowths and 1.1 (P<0.05) for older regrowths. The corresponding maximum differences for voluntary dry matter intake (g/W0.75/day) were 2.2 (P<0.05) and 3.5 (P<0.01). The differences in feeding value were therefore small and it was concluded that the chances are not good of selecting Rhodes grass varieties that have a superior feeding value.
Manganese uptake by tobacco and bean plants grown on soils of the Mareeba-Dimbulah Irrigation Area, north Queensland
Authors: Lovett WJ , Johnson AD
Published: March 2005

The manganese content of flue cured tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum) grown on a range of soils from the Mareeba-Dimbulah area was determined. Seven of the soils produced plants containing more than 600 p.p.m. manganese, a level above which quality may be adversely affected. Manganese toxicity symptoms were observed on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and tobacco plants growing in one of the soils. The effect of air drying and pH on exchangeable and easily reducible manganese is demonstrated.
Bilateral symmetry of pig muscle weights
Authors: Wilson BR , Williams RJ
Published: March 2005

The weights of six individual muscles and total muscle from both sides of the commercial carcase were examined in female and castrate male pigs slaughtered at 32, 45, and 59 kg. No significant effects of side, side by sex interactions, or side by slaughterweight interactions on muscle weights were found. The results are discussed in relation to previous work and it is suggested that carcase muscle studies can be restricted to dissection of only one side.
Correction - The effects of temperature on the vegetative growth of six tropical legume species
Authors: Whiteman PC
Published: March 2005

Six tropical legume species, viz. Phaseolus lathyroides, P. atropurpureus, Desmodium uncinatum, D. intortum, D. sandwicense, and Glycine javanica, were grown in controlled environments. At the first harvest (14 days) dry weight of seedling tops was linearly related to initial seed dry weight. Subsequent growth at the lowest temperatures, 15/10�C and 18/13�C (day/night) was severely curtailed, and plants developed abnormally. The optimum temperature for growth of all the species was in the range of 30/25 � 3�C, which is generally lower than values reported for the tropical grasses, and higher than those for the temperate legumes and grasses.
Ear emergence of Australian, Mexican, and European wheats in relation to time of sowing and their response to vernalization and daylength
Authors: Syme JR
Published: March 2005

Seven Australian wheat varieties were compared with six Mexican and four European spring wheats for the influence of sowing date on time to ear emergence in the field. Their sensitivities to daylength and vernalization were compared in a glasshouse experiment. The Australian varieties were intermediate in their response to daylength. Those suited to early autumn sowing depended on their vernalization sensitivity to delay ear emergence past the frost-liable period in the spring. The European varieties, with no vernalization response, were also suited to early sowing, the delay of ear emergence depending entirely on their high sensitivity to daylength. The Mexican varieties, with nil or small vernalization response and a low sensitivity to daylength developed too rapidly for early sowing, but were more suited to late sowing than the Australian varieties.
The influence of sowing date on the yield of grain sorghum in a short summer rainfall environment
Authors: Stern WR
Published: March 2005

Sowings of Hegari grain sorghum were made during the rainy season at Katherine (14.3�S, 132.3�E), for 78 consecutive days beginning on December 7, and at a second site for 41 consecutive days beginning on December 16. In the following season 16 sowings were made approximately twice a week. The experiments were conducted under natural rainfall. The yields for December sowings were higher than for January sowings, and there was a steady decline with February sowings. There were marked fluctuations in yield with sowing date. Internode numbers were higher with December than January sowings and presumably influenced the size of head initiated. The decline in daylength could account for the difference between December and January sowings. The fall-off in yield with February sowings was due mainly to diminishing soil moisture supply. There was a negative correlation between saturation deficit about 12 days after anthesis and grain yield, and the evidence strongly suggests that atmospheric dryness during grain development might have appreciable influence on grain yield. There was a strong association between total grain number and yield. In the sowings up to the end of January more than 50 per cent of the grain was large, but with February sowing the proportion of smaller grain increased.
Feeding of heifers for survival on whole and cracked sorghum grain under simulated drought conditions
Authors: Morris JG
Published: March 2005

Groups of Hereford heifers of a mean (� SE.) body weight 187 � 3 kg were fed in yards a sole ration of sorghum grain + one per cent limestone for 26 weeks. Four groups were fed the equivalent of 1.36 kg of sorghum grain per head per day as either whole or cracked grain at either daily or twice weekly intervals. A fifth group was fed 1.64 kg of whole sorghum grain per head per day which provided a digestible dry matter intake comparable to that of 1.36 kg of cracked grain. When heifers were fed the same quantity of dry matter as whole and cracked grain, the rate of body weight loss of those fed whole grain was significantly greater than that of those fed cracked grain; and the rate of body weight loss of those fed daily was significantly greater than that of those fed twice weekly. With similar intakes of digestible dry matter from whole and cracked grain, there was no significant difference in the rate of body weight loss. Heifers from sub-groups of high initial body weight lost significantly more body weight than heifers from sub-groups of low initial body weight. The whole bodies of three heifers that died from undernutrition contained less than 0.3 per cent ether extract on a fresh weight basis, indicating complete exhaustion of body energy reserves.
The influence of time application of gypsum and elemental sulphur on the pasture response to sulphur
Authors: McLachlan KD , De Marco DG
Published: March 2005

Gypsum and elemental sulphur were compared as sulphur fertilizers at three times of application on pasture growing on a sulphur deficient basaltic soil. There was no substitute for early sulphur applications. Sulphur was required early in the growth cycle of the pasture plants for maximum yields. Gypsum was the more productive fertilizer of the two forms used, and showed to particular advantage under the adverse conditions of late application, or dry seasonal conditions. It had greater flexibility in the time when it could be used because it was the more readily available form. Elemental sulphur had a greater residual value than gypsum because the initial utilization of sulphur from this form was less than from gypsum. However, the total recovery of sulphur was no greater from elemental sulphur than from gypsum. Evidence is presented which suggests that this greater residual value of the elemental form is of little benefit on this non-leaching soil.
The effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lime on the growth and canning yield of clingstone peaches
Authors: Keatley JC , Kidman GJ , Malimonenko A
Published: March 2005

The responses in canning yield and tree growth obtained from clingstone peaches (CV. Golden Queen) to fertilizers applied in factorial combinations were measured for 19 years at Tatura, Victoria. During the first eight years, the treatments involved ammonium sulphate, superphosphate, and potassium sulphate. Then a fourth factor, lime, was added, and included in the study for four years. For the final period of seven years, the experimental design was modified, in that all trees were limed, potassium sulphate was deleted, and applications of ammonium sulphate were re-arranged. The fertilizer combination that gave the greatest tree response was an application of 3 lb ammonium sulphate plus 4 lb superphosphate to each tree (at bud swell), and then in mid-summer an extra 3 lb ammonium sulphate. The main effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and lime were to increase both yield and growth, while the main effect of potassium was to depress them (usually it was not large enough to be proved significant). The main effect of splitting the total application of ammonium sulphate was to increase yield through larger fruit size, but there was no effect on growth. The responses were independent and additive. Ammonium sulphate strongly acidified the soil, and this caused manganese toxicity, which was alleviated by liming.
Chemical control of weeds in tobacco in northern New South Wales
Authors: Doyle AD
Published: March 2005

Herbicides were tested for weed control in tobacco in northern New South Wales at two sites in 1964-65 and 1965-66, and at one site in 1966-67. Herbicides used were diphenamid (N, Ndimethyl- 2, 2-diphenylacetamide) and trifluralin (a,a,a-trifluro-2, 6-dinitro-N, N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) in 1964-65, and trifluralin, benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-a,a,a-trifluro-2, 6-dinitro-p-toluidine), DCPA (dimethyl 2, 3, 5, 6 tetrachloroterephthalate), and EPTC (ethyl N, N-di-n-propylthiol-carbamate) in 1965-66. All were incorporated with spike tooth harrows. Various rates of trifluralin and benefin were compared using spike tooth harrow and disc harrow incorporation in 1966-67. Trifluralin at 0.37 to 1.0 lb active ingredient (a.i.) an acre and benefin at 0.75 to 1.8 lb a.i. an acre on a coarse sandy soil, and 2.0 lb a.i. an acre on a sandy loam soil gave good control of weeds without adversely affecting the yield or quality of cured tobacco. Some indications of phytotoxicity to tobacco occurred with trifluralin rates of 1.5 to 2 lb a.i. an acre and a benefin rate of 3.6 lb a.i. an acre. Method of incorporation produced no difference in weed control in 1966-67. EPTC at 3 and 6 lb a.i. an acre was phytotoxic to tobacco. Diphenamid at 4 to 12 lb a.i. an acre controlled weeds without adversely affecting tobacco growth. DCPA at 7 and 14 lb a.i. an acre on a coarse sand and 14 lb a.i. an acre on a sandy loam gave good control of weeds without adversely affecting the yield or quality of cured tobacco.
A response surface approach to examining the use of separated milk and wheat by growing pigs
Authors: Holder JM , Wilson BR , Williams RJ
Published: March 2005

Response surfaces were examined relating inputs of separated milk and wheat to liveweight gain, efficiency of feed conversion, and carcase composition of pigs growing to pork or bacon weights. Twenty-eight different dietary treatments were examined in eight separate experiments. Diets ranged from all separated milk to all wheat, and in each experiment levels of feeding ranged from two to five per cent of body weight. A total of 128 individually fed pigs were used. As levels of feeding increased, daily gains increased, dissectible lean decreased, but there was no consistent effect on efficiency of feed conversion. The exception was where the quality and quantity of protein ingested limited growth rate, and under these circumstances feed efficiency tended to worsen. Desirable production factors were not necessarily associated with any one treatment. Although high daily gains meant that pigs were marketed earlier, carcases produced in this way were fat and not as valuable as those pigs grown more slowly. It was concluded that the response surface approach offers a method of examining a wide range of inputoutput relationships with a minimum expenditure of research facilities.
The effects of withholding water from the newly-planted tobacco crop in north Queensland
Authors: Hopkinson JM
Published: March 2005

In experiments conducted over three seasons in the Mareeba district, irrigation was withheld from the newly planted tobacco crop for periods of from two to six weeks. The effect of withholding water was primarily to delay development. Beyond this, it had little effect on plant growth, neither stimulating rates of leaf expansion during recovery nor increasing the numbers of leaves produced, as it had done in earlier pot experiments. Effects on the yield of cured leaf were small. The six-week delay produced the lowest yield in each season, but the reduction was small and not significant statistically. The failure of the delayed irrigation treatments to reproduce the beneficial response reported in earlier work was attributed to the over-riding effect of the severe water stresses associated with the transplanting process.
The effect of artificial lighting and cobalt supplementation on the performance and coat shedding of steers intensively finished in yards
Authors: Morris JG
Published: March 2005

Forty steers were intensively finished in yards on rations of 90 per cent sorghum grain and 10 per cent of either sorghum silage or stubble. There were no significant differences in rate of body weight gain or efficiency of feed conversion of steers fed the two rations. The experiment commenced on July 2, 1965. An abrupt increase at this time in daylength by flood-lighting, for two 2-hour periods daily, had no significant effect on rate of body weight gain, feed efficiency or coat shedding of steers subjected to natural seasonal increases in daylength. The administration of a cobalt pellet to steers fed a low-cobalt sorghum grain had no effect on coat shedding or rate of body weight gain.
Relative winter performance of cocksfoot lines in first- and fourth-year swards
Authors: Biddiscombe EF , Broue P , Neal-Smith CA
Published: March 2005

Thirteen cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) lines were ranked for winter yield as first and fourth-year swards when grown in the field at Canberra. Yield rankings of five lines were similar for young and old plants, while five lines achieved a higher ranking and three lines a lower ranking as older plants. Change in ranking between young and old plants was apparently due in part to a changing emphasis in the relative importance of the growth components ; in young plants tiller number was the main component of winter yield whereas in old plants growth per tiller was the more important component. Some other factors that might influence the assessment are also discussed. It is suggested that assessment of winter growth of cocksfoot lines for the long ^term is more realistic when measurement is based on plants at least two years old.
MPA impregnated intravaginal sponges for the induction of oestrus in anoestrous Border Leicester × Merino ewes. 2. Maiden ewes
Authors: Dawe ST , Roberts EM , Killeen ID
Published: March 2005

In the spring of 1965 flocks of 18-month-old (flock 1) and 12-month-old (flock 2) anoestrous maiden ewes were treated for 13 days with intravaginal sponges impregnated with 17a - acetoxy 6a - methylpregn - 4 - ene - 3,20 - dione (MAP). Each ewe was given an injection of 1000 i.u. Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) at the time of sponge removal with half the ewes of each flock receiving a further injection of 1000 i.u. PMSG 16 days later. In the period 2-8 days after sponge removal, 45.9 and 57.1 per cent of the ewes in flocks 1 and 2 respectively were served, and of these 5.9 and 17.9 per cent respectively lambed. The second injection of PMSG produced a second oestrous period, 17-25 days after sponge removal, in 89.5 and 70.8 per cent of the ewes of flocks 1 and 2 respectively, and of these, 64.7 and 29.4 per cent, respectively, lambed. The additional administration of PMSG significantly increased the number of lambs born in flock 1 (P<0.01) but not in flock 2. Where a single injection of PMSG was used, failure to obtain a satisfactory lambing response was associated with a high incidence of 'silent heat' at the first induced ovulation, and a failure to promote regular sexual activity. No lambs were born in the untreated control groups until eight weeks after those of the treated groups.
Emergence and early seedling growth of Phalaris tuberosa
Authors: Lazenby A , Schiller JMA
Published: March 2005

A study was made in seed boxes at Armidale, New South Wales, on a red earth soil, of the effects of two soil tilths (particles<0.3 cm and between 0.6 and 1.25 cm), three seeding depths (surface seeding, 1.25 cm and 2.5 cm), and three levels of applied phosphorus (the equivalents of phosphorus in nil, 378 kg/ha and 756 kg/ha superphosphate, applied as sodium di-hydrogen phosphate) on emergence and early seedling growth of Phalaris tuberosa. Water was made non-limiting as far as practicable. Seedling counts were made every four days until the first harvest, 32 days after sowing. Four fortnightly destructive harvests were made to examine treatment effects on post-emergence seedling growth. Seeding into the fine tilth at a depth of 1.25 cm on the high phosphorus treatment gave the fastest and highest total seedling emergence. Conditions most favourable to immediate post-emergence seedling growth were sowing into a fine seedbed at a depth of 1.25 cm or 2.5 cm in combination with phosphorus ; the rate of seedling growth increased with rate of phosphorus applied.
The effect of pregnancy in heifers on voluntary intake, total rumen contents, digestibility and rate of passage
Authors: Lamberth JL
Published: March 2005

In two experiments using twin heifers with one of each pair pregnant, the effect of advanced pregnancy on the voluntary food intake, dry matter digestibility and rate of passage of food residues, was studied. In the first experiment sorghum silage was fed ad lib. In the second experiment lucerne chaff was fed at ad lib. and restricted levels and, in addition to the measurements listed above, the quantity of reticulo-rumen contents was determined in each animal. In both experiments each of the pregnant heifers ate less than their non-pregnant CO-twins, and, on analysis of all the data on ad lib. feeding, the differences were significant (P<0.01). The mean coefficients of dry matter digestibility for the pregnant heifers were significantly (P<0.01) less than those for non-pregnant heifers. This caused a significantly (P<0.01) lower intake of digestible dry matter by the pregnant heifers. Measurements of the contents of the reticulo-rumen and the rate of passage of food particles gave inconclusive results. These experiments demonstrated that there was a depression of voluntary intake in late pregnancy the cause of which is not known. This would be nutritionally significant only when the quality and voluntary intake of food were marginal.
The survival in South Australia of Hunter River, African, and creeping lucernes after extended periods of severe grazing
Authors: Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

Hunter River and African lucerne (Medicago sativa), and two creeping-rooted strains, were severely grazed for extended periods. After two years grazing only 20 per cent of the original plants remained. African plants disappeared most rapidly, and Hunter River survived longest. The two creeping strains were intermediate and were very similar to each other. Nearly 20 per cent of the plants in the creeping strains were creeping one year after establishment. There was no difference between the survival of creeping and non-creeping plants. Poor adaptation of the creeping strains to this environment may have prevented any supposed advantages of creep from being expressed.