bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a commercial price schedule for producers and processors of lambs
Authors: Hopkins DL
Published: March 2005

Equations were developed to predict the weight of trimmed retail (bone-in) cuts, trim, fat and bone from 321 lamb carcasses, ranging in carcass weight from 4.8 to 26.8 kg and in fat depth at the GR site (12th rib) from 1 to 31 mm. For commercial application, the equations were developed using a multiple regression program with the predictors carcass weight and GR. All equations explained a large amount of the variation in component weights (r2 = 0.76-0.99). A time and motion study using 172 carcasses showed that the times required to butcher carcasses of low fat (score 1 and 2) were similar. Likewise the mean time taken to butcher score 3 carcasses was similar to that of score 1 carcasses. However, it took significantly longer (P<0.05) to butcher score 3 carcasses than score 2 carcasses, and score 4 and 5 carcasses than score 3 carcasses. In addition, the mean times taken to butcher score 4 and 5 carcasses were significantly different (P< 0.05). By using multiple regression analysis it was shown that carcass weight, fatscore, their interaction and the butcher all significantly affected the butchering time. The findings of this work are discussed as they apply to the commercial development of price schedules and show that, when based on yield, lean heavy carcasses are more profitable for processing.
Supplementary feeding of young Merino sheep, grazing wheat stubble, with different amounts of lupin, oat or barley grain
Authors: Rowe JB , Brown G , Ralph IG , Ferguson J , Wallace JF
Published: March 2005

We examined the effect on liveweight change and wool growth of 3 grain supplements: lupins, oats and barley, fed at different levels to grazing Merinos. The animals (approx. 9 months of age, mean weight 29.3 kg) grazed wheat stubble (10 sheep/ha) from January to May and each supplement was fed at 0, 150, 300,450, 600, and 750 g/sheep.day (given twice per week). The digestibility of the stubble was high (stem 45%, leaf 58%) in February and decreased by May (stem 42%, leaf 49%). The unsupplemented animals received no supplementation until 1 May, when they reached a weight of 26.5 kg. The liveweight of the supplemented animals increased in relation to the amount of each supplement given. The conversion (kg supplement fed per kg liveweight gain, was 3.64 for lupins compared with 4.93 and 5.21 for the oats and barley respectively. There was an increase in the clean fleece weight (Y, kg) (November shearing) with increasing levels of each supplement (X, kg grain/sheep.day) described by the following equation; Y= 2.65 + 2.26X- 1,343, but there were no differences associated with the type of grain. As the level of supplement intake increased from 0 to 750 g/day, fibre diameter increased (P< 0.001) from 18.6 to 2 1.1 km, staple length increased (P < 0.01) from 73.5 to 86.7 mm and staple breaking force increased (P<0.05) from 17.4 to 26.1 N/ktex. There was no effect of type of supplement on parameters of wool quality. With all supplements there was an apparent carry-over effect of the summer-autumn feeding on wool growth during the winter period. For each additional 1 g of wool grown during the supplementary feeding period, approximately 1.4 g were measured in the final fleece weight.
Resistance to Phomopsis stem and pod blight of narrow-leafed lupin in a range of environments and its association with reduced Phomopsis seed infection.
Authors: Cowling WA , Wood PM
Published: March 2005

Resistance to Phomopsis stem and pod blight, caused by Phomopsis leptostromiformis (Knhn) Bubak, in narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) was consistently expressed at 5 sites in the southwest of Western Australia and 5 sites in south-eastern Australia in 1984. There was a high correlation (r = 0.95, P< 0.001) of mean Phomopsis stem ratings on the 8 breeding lines and 2 cultivars between the 2 regions of southern Australia. The mean frequency of seed infection by P. leptostromiformis in 6 resistant lines in Western Australia ranged from 0.1 to 1.0% compared with 1.4% in 75A65-5 (a line with intermediate resistance) and 2.0% in Yandee and Chittick (susceptible cultivars). In south-eastern Australia, mean seed infection in 6 resistant lines ranged from 0.0-0.6% compared with 2.3% in 75A65-5, 1.6% in Yandee, and 1.1% in Chittick. There was also a correlation (r = 0.73, P < 0.05) of mean seed infection levels in the 8 lines and 2 cultivars between the regions. Pod blight occurred at significantly lower frequency in resistant lines than in susceptible cultivars at 3 sites in Western Australia where pod lesions were visible. Correlations among Phomopsis stem ratings, pod blight severity, and the frequency of seed infection among lines and cultivars were significantly positive in all comparisons at individual sites and when averaged across the 2 regions of southern Australia.
Effects of delaying chemical fallowing in pasture rotations on pasture quality and wheat yield in the Victorian Wimmera
Authors: O'Leary GJ , Binns RM , Lewis TR
Published: March 2005

The effects of delaying chemical fallowing in a pasture rotation on pasture quality and subsequent wheat yield were investigated at sites near Minyip and Charlton, Victoria, in 1983 and 1984. Three chemical fallows were commenced at different times and were compared with a conventionally cultivated fallow. The earliest chemical fallow was established, together with a conventional fallow, at the end of winter. The second chemical fallow commenced towards the end of the rapid spring growth period in mid-October (early hayfreezing), and the third in mid- November (late hayfreezing) on a grass-dominant pasture. The pasture in spring ranged from 51 to 72% digestible dry matter (DDM) but the quality declined to 42-50% DDM by the end of the fallow treatments in autumn at each site in both years. Weathering of the pasture over summer reduced it to roughage. In contrast to a conventional fallow, early hayfreezing of pasture reduced the yield of subsequent wheat crops at Minyip by 14% in 1984 and 26% in 1985. Late hayfreezing caused losses of around 35% in each year at Minyip. At Charlton yield losses were much lower with only 14% loss observed from late hayfreezing in 1985. Because the feed produced by hayfreezing was of very poor quality, hayfreezing cannot be recommended as a viable fodder conservation method as it could not adequately compensate for any yield loss.
The impact of stubble management on the incidence of crown rot of wheat
Authors: Summerell BA , Burgess LW , Klein TA
Published: March 2005

The influence of 3 stubble management practices, stubble retention, stubble incorporation and stubble burning, on the incidence of crown rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe Group 1, and on plant development and grain yield was examined. The incidence of disease (percentage plants affected) was assessed in a susceptible (cv. Sunstar) and moderately resistant cultivar (cv. Suneca) in 1986. In 1987 Sunstar was planted into stubble of the 2 cultivars to assess the influence of host resistance on disease carryover. Crown rot was highest in the stubble retention plots (81% incidence in 1986 and 59% in 1987), whereas stubble burning decreased disease incidence in both years, with the reduction being greater in the second year (47% and 16%). Stubble incorporation was ineffective in reducing disease levels (76% and 53% in years 1 and 2). The incidence of crown rot did not differ in the 2 cultivars. At the harvest sampling in 1987 there were no differences in crown rot incidence in plants sown into stubble of the 2 cultivars. Grain yield did not differ significantly between treatments, but early season plant dry weight was reduced in the retained plots. Grain protein levels were reduced (P< 0.05) in the stubble burnt plots.
Post-harvest storage control of mango stem-end rot with fungicidal dips
Authors: Muller AT , Burt JR
Published: March 2005

Stem-end rot, Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griff. and Maubl. was controlled in harvested mango fruit for up to 4 weeks by fungicidal dipping of pared fruit followed by storage at 13�C. Stem-end rot was significantly (P< 0.05) reduced by a 0.025% prochloraz dip at an ambient water temperature of 31�C or by a 0.05% benomyl dip at 50�C water temperature, com pared with ambient water dipping at 31�C. A hot water dip at 50�C, or 0.1% thiabendazole at 50�C water tem perature, did not significantly control stem-end rot.
Influence of fruit temperature and application time on the effectiveness of fungicides in controlling citrus green mould, Penicillium digitatum
Authors: Wild BL , Spohr LJ
Published: March 2005

The effects of fruit temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 25�C) on eradicant activities of 5 different fungicides against Penicilliurn digitatum on Washington Navel were studied. With the fungicide guazatine, applied as a 30 s dip at a concentration of 500 µg/mL, a decrease in fruit temperature did not significantly reduce the time permitted between harvest and treatment if complete control was to be achieved. Benomyl at fruit temperatures of 15 and 10°C gave mould control until 30.5 ± 9.7 and 25.5 ± 7.9 h (mean ± s.e.) after inoculation respectively. At 10°C fruit could be left for 42.3 ± 6.5 h before treatment with etaconazole and mould control could still be achieved. The fungicide imazalil had the most eradicant activity, with mould control being achieved 30 ± 2.9, 28.4 ± 4.2, 44.6 ± 9.2 and 73.2 ± 4.3 h after inoculation at fruit temperatures of 25, 20, 15 and 10°C respectively. At no time was complete mould control achieved with prochloraz, which suggests that a concentration higher than 500 µg/mL should be recommended.
Maternal acceptance of alien lambs in ewes treated and untreated with oestrogen at birth
Authors: Alexander G , Stevens D , Bradley LR
Published: March 2005

Sixteen ewes suckling their own lambs and 20 ewes from which lambs had been removed at birth were tested on 7 occasions, between 1 and 48 h postpartum, for their maternal interest in their own lamb, an alien lamb of similar age, a newborn alien, a ewe-fed older alien and an artificially fed older alien. Half of the ewes under each treatment were given 20 mg 17β-oestradiol benzoate, intramuscularly just prior to parturition, plus 5 mg 17β-oestradiol intravenously at the same time and at 2, 4 and 6 h postpartum. Oestrogen treatment of ewes whose lambs had been removed at birth, produced a small but significant improvement in the number of acceptances of own lambs and alien lambs of similar age and treatment. There were small non-significant trends in the same directions with the other 3 classes of lamb in both groups of ewes. It appears that oestrogen treatment of parturient ewes has only marginal effects on maternal interest and would be of little value in facilitating fostering. Ewes kept from their own lambs accepted alien lambs much more frequently than did ewes left with their own lambs. Hence, limited exposure of newly lambed ewes to lambs may be useful in facilitating fostering by sustaining maternal receptivity but delaying discrimination between lambs. Artificially fed alien lambs, kept from ewes except at testing, were more frequently accepted than alien lambs of a similar age kept with their dams. Thus maternal recognition of lambs as aliens may be facilitated by maternal labelling, and fostering is more likely to be successful if the foster lamb has been isolated and artificially fed, than if left with its dam.
Influence of energy and polymer-encapsulated methionine supplements on mohair growth and fibre diameter of Angora goats fed at maintenance
Authors: McGregor BA , Hodge RW
Published: March 2005

We studied the fleece production of Angora wether goats provided with energy, to maintain liveweight, and polymer-encapsulated methionine while they were fed on poor quality roughage rations in early summer. Forty goats (mean fleece-free liveweight 28.5 kg) were randomly allotted to 5 treatments and housed individually for 12 weeks. The treatments were: control, fed to lose 5 kg liveweight; M, fed to maintain liveweight; and 3 maintenance rations with either 0.5, 1 or 2 g day-1 of polymer-encapsulated methionine. The basal ration was oaten chaff (56.8% digestible dry matter) and all maintenance- fed goats received a supplement of 150 g day- 1 gristed barley. Goats required an estimated 267 kJ ME kg-0.75 day-1 to maintain liveweight. Goats fed the control diet grew less mohair (P<0.05) with reduced mean fibre diameter (P< 0.05) than maintenance-fed goats (4.9 g day-1, 30.0 pm compared with 5.8 g day-1, 31.9 pm). For maintenance-fed animals, the addition of 1 g day- methionine (0.15% of dry matter intake) increased mohair growth by 0.8g day-1 (P<0.075). Feeding barley to prevent liveweight loss and feeding polymer-encapsulated methionine at maintenance is unlikely to result in economic responses in mohair production of goats grazing low quality summer pastures.
Recurrent selection for resistance to Stemphylium vesicarium within the lucerne cultivars Trifecta and Sequel
Authors: Bray RA , Irwin JAG
Published: March 2005

Two cycles of recurrent selection for resistance to Stemphylium leaf spot (caused by Stemphylium vesicarium) based on half-sib family performance were made within the lucerne cultivars Trifecta and Sequel. Within Trifecta, 1 generation of selection was sufficient to increase the level of resistance to that of UC 1249 (resistant check), while 2 generations were necessary to obtain equivalent levels of resistance in Sequel. The Stemphylium resistant lines maintained adequate levels of resistance to anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum trifolii) and Phytophthora root rot (caused by Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis) on the basis of glasshouse tests.
Emergence and early growth of Lotononis bainesii cv. Miles on a cracking clay soil compared with four other tropical legumes
Authors: Blumenthal MJ , Hilder TB
Published: March 2005

The effects of soil type (sand, loam and cracking clay), treatment with Terra-sorb, sowing depth and watering regime on the emergence and early growth of Lotononis bainesii (DC.) Eckl and Zeyh. cv. Miles were examined in 4 glasshouse experiments. We also compared the effects of sowing depth, watering regime, and early growth on the establishment of L. bainesii and 4 other tropical legumes (Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, Rhynchosia minima CPI 32963, and Stylosanthes hamata (CPI 75171 and Indigofera schimperi CPI 73608). Lotononis germination was greatest when surface sown on a well watered cracking clay soil but emergence was similar for all soils at other depths. Seed sown deeper than 10 mm did not emerge. Siratro and Rhynchosia were able to emerge equally well from 40 mm as from 2 mm. Stylosanthes hamata showed a steady decline in emergence to zero at 40 mm. Emergence of Lotononis and Stylosanthes was greatest under the most lenient watering regime, whereas Rhynchosia emergence was greatest under the harshest watering regime. Coating seeds with a moisture seeking polymer, Terra-sorb, did not significantly improve the emergence of these legumes. Two weeks after sowing, top and root dry weight were related to seed size; Lotononis and Indigofera compensated for small seed size with high relative growth rates so that by week 6 there were no differences in total dry weight. Siratro and Rhynchosia had the highest and Lotononis the lowest rootlshoot ratio. Small seed size, an inability to emerge from depth and a low root/shoot ratio are all factors contributing to the poor establishment of L. bainesii, particularly on cracking clay soils.
Yield responses to lime of wheat and barley on acid soils in north-eastern Victoria
Authors: Coventry DR , Walker BR , Morrison GR , Hyland MT , Avery JC , Maden JJL , Bartram DC
Published: March 2005

Liming experiments were conducted at 13 sites (soil pH range 4.99-6.27, 0-10 cm depth) in the dryland cropping region of north-eastern Victoria with wheat grown at all sites and barley at 3 sites. Lime increased wheat yields at 9 of the 13 sites with the acid sensitive cultivar Oxley, but the yield increase was not correlated (r2=0.07) with exchangeable Al. Exchangeable A1 was closely related to pH (in 0.01 mmol/L CaCl2). The acid-tolerant wheat cultivars (Matong and Millewa) out-yielded Oxley at a soil pH (CaCl2) of 4.7 and the acid-tolerant cultivars were less responsive to liming. The barley responded to the lime treatment at each of the 3 sites. The use of acid tolerant crop species is recommended on these soils, but an improvement in the predictability of a lime response is required before liming is widely recommended.
Options for controlling needle nematode (Paralongidorus australis) and preventing damage to rice in northern Queensland
Authors: Stirling GR , Vawdrey LL , Shannon EL
Published: March 2005

Options for the control of Paralongidorus australis on paddy rice in northern Queensland were evaluated in a series of field and pot experiments. Soil fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene at 220 and 358 kglha gave excellent control in the field and increased grain yields by more than 40%. In pots, carbofuran (5, 10 and 20 kg a.i./ha) applied to soil prior to sowing or in water at the time of permanent flooding gave good control but fenamiphos and CuSO4 did not. These results suggested that the amounts of 1,3-dichloropropene or carbofuran needed to control the nematode were too high for annual treatment with nematicides to be economic. Carbofuran and oxamyl applied as seed dressings at 0.75% and 0.36% a.i. respectively were much cheaper treatments, but failed to control P. australis or reduce nematode damage to root tips. P. australis was eliminated from moist soil by air-drying, but this effect could not be reproduced in the field by deep ripping followed by cultivation to break up clods. Amendment of nematode-infested soil with straw and various sulfur-containing compounds and flooding for 6 or 12 weeks, failed to reduce nematode numbers in the subsequent rice crop, indicating that products of anaerobic decomposition did not control the nematode. However, there was a marked reduction in the percentage of root tips damaged by the nematode in the straw + sulphur treatment. Additional pot experiments investigated practices that reduced losses from P. australis but did not necessarily control the nematode. When rice was flooded 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 weeks after sowing, the degree of nematode damage was reduced as flooding was delayed, possibly because P. australis remained inactive during the period prior to flooding. Of the 14 rice cultivars and breeding lines tested for tolerance to P. australis, several cultivars were more tolerant than Starbonnet and Lemont, the cultivars currently being grown commercially in northern Queensland. Both delayed flooding and the use of tolerant varieties showed enough promise to warrant further testing in the field.
Effect of superphosphate and superphosphate plus flutriafol on yield and take-all of wheat
Authors: Brennan RF
Published: March 2005

Wheat was grown in soil amended with 5 levels of superphosphate with or without 4 levels of flutriafol at 3 sites naturally infested with Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. The severity of take-all was related to the rates of superphosphate and flutriafol. At all sites, the disease incidence and severity were high, with values for the moderate plus severe category (i.e. >25% of the root system discoloured by the takeall fungus) exceeding 80% for untreated plots. As plants responded to increasing levels of superphosphate and flutriafol, the percentage of infected roots declined. There was no further decline in the severity of take-all with increasing levels of flutriafol above 50 g/ha. The lowest severity of take-all was observed at the highest superphosphate level (200 kg/ha) and a fungicide level of 50 g/ha. Take-all severity for this treatment varied with the site location, being 52% at Condingup while the Mt Ridley and Neridup sites had 60% infection of take-all on the roots. There was a 25-30% increase in grain yield in response to added flutriafol at the highest superphosphate level. There were also corresponding increases in dry matter production and 1000-grain weights with superphosphate and fungicide application.
Inheritance of resistance to papaya ringspot virus type W in hybrids between Cucurbita ecuadorensis and C. maxima
Authors: Herrington ME , Byth DE , Teakle DS , Brown PJ
Published: March 2005

Papaya ringspot virus type W (PRV-W) causes foliar mosaic, deformed fruit and reduced yield in crops of Cucurbita maxima cv. Queensland Blue in Queensland. Cucurbita ecuadorensis is highly resistant to PRV-W. Using crosses between these 2 cucurbits we studied inheritance of resistance to PRV-W in mechanically inoculated parental, F1, F2, backcross and inbred backcross populations under glasshouse and/or field conditions. Disease severity was assessed on each plant as the proportion of the young leaf area which was chlorotic. Inheritance of resistance, following inoculation of cotyledons with either of 2 isolates that differed in the severity of symptoms produced, was most consistently described as polygenic. Analysis of means of generations indicated additive gene effects were predominant. However simpler inheritance could not be entirely discarded as a 13:3 digenic model based on epistasis and modifiers described some distributions. No strong associations existed between high resistance to PRV-W and undesirable characteristics so that transfer of high levels of resistance from C. ecuadorensis to commercially acceptable lines of C. maxima should be possible.
Fungicidal control of leaf spot (Septoria apiicola) of celery
Authors: Wicks TJ
Published: March 2005

Ten fungicides were evaluated and compared in glasshouse and field experiments for the control of celery leaf spot caused by Septoria apiicola. In glasshouse experiments propiconazole (25 mg a.i. L-1) inhibited the development of S. apiicola when applied to celery seedlings 2 days after inoculation and in 1 experiment an application 8 days after inoculation reduced by 10-fold the severity of disease as well as the production of pycnidia. Penconazole (25 mg a.i. L-1), myclobutanil (50 mg a.i. L-1), flusilazole (20 mg a.i. L-1), fenarimol (36 mg a.i. L-1), terbuconazole (25 mg a.i. L-1) and triadimenol(25 mg a.i. L-1) also controlled S. apiicola when applied 2, but not 8 days, after inoculation. Anilazine protected celery seedlings for at least 13 days after application and was the most effective of the fungicides applied before infection. In field experiments, the most effective control of leaf spot was achieved with applications, every 7-10 days, of anilazine (1500 mg a.i. L-1), applied either alone or mixed with propiconazole (25 mg a.i. L-1). Similar applications of propiconazole either alone or mixed with chlorothalonil (150 mg a.i. L-1) also controlled leaf spot, whereas penconazole (25 mg a.i. L-1), flusilazole (20 mg a.i. L-1) and myclobutanil (50 mg a.i. L-1) were not effective.
Milk production by dairy cows fed hammermilled lupin grain, hammermilled oaten grain or whole oaten grain as supplements to pasture
Authors: Valentine SC , Bartsch BD
Published: March 2005

Friesian cows in early lactation were fed 3.5 or 7.0 kg DM daily of either hammermilled lupin grain, hammermilled oaten grain or whole oaten grain as supplements to a pasture-based diet. Milk production and composition and the amount and composition of whole oaten grain excreted in the faeces were measured. There were no significant differences between treatments in the yields of milk, fat or protein. There was a tendency towards lower milk fat content in milk from cows fed 7.0 kg DM daily of the hammermilled grains. Differences between grain types were not significant for all production parameters except milk protein content. Protein content was significantly (P<0.01) higher in milk from cows fed hammermilled and whole oaten grain compared with that from cows fed lupin grain. Yield of milk fat was significantly (P<0.05) higher and ratio of milk protein to fat significantly (P < 0.05) lower for cows fed 3.5 kg DM of grain than for those fed 7.0 kg DM of grain. There was a significant (P< 0.05) interaction between grain type and grain level for the ratio of protein to fat in the milk. Cows excreted 24% of the whole oaten grain at both levels of grain fed and there were no significant differences in composition of the whole oaten grain fed or excreted in the faeces. There was no benefit to production either from feeding hammermilled lupin grain compared with hammermilled or whole oaten grain or from feeding 7.0 compared with 3.5 kg DM daily of grain to cows grazing pasture.
Effects of udder damage and nutritional plane on milk yield, lamb survival and lamb growth of Merinos
Authors: Jordan DJ , Mayer DG
Published: March 2005

A pen study investigated the effects of udder damage and 3 levels of nutrition (110, 90 and 70% of maintenance requirements) during the pre- and post-natal period on the performance of Merino ewes and lambs. Udder damage (only 1 functional teat) significantly reduced (P< 0.05) estimated daily milk yield of ewes (1 139 v. 963 mL/day), growth rate (180.5 v. 143.7 g/ day) and liveweight of lambs (10.1 v. 8.8 kg) at 4-6 weeks of age. Lamb survival was significantly reduced only in the 70% of maintenance treatment (82.2 v. 64.8%). Nutrition level significantly (P< 0.05) affected ewe and lamb performance. Estimated daily ewe milk yield (1146, 1070 and 938 mL/day), ewe liveweight (40.4, 39.2 and 37.1 kg) at lamb marking, and lamb growth rate (178.1, 169.5 and 138.8 g/day) and liveweight (10.2, 9.6 and 8.6 kg) at 4-6 weeks were significantly higher for ewes fed on 110 and 90% of their requirements than for ewes fed at 70% of their requirements respectively. Lamb survival (89.9%) from ewes fed at 110% of requirements was significantly higher than lamb survival (75.3 and 73.5%) from ewes fed at 90 and 70% of requirements respectively. There was no significant interaction between the level of nutrition and udder damage in any parameter of ewe or lamb performance. Birth weight (3.0 v. 3.8 kg) and survival (49.3 v. 84.2%) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in twins than in single birth lambs. Growth rate of single lambs and single survivors of twins reared as single lambs were similar (167 and 160 g/day respectively); both of these groups grew more rapidly (P< 0.01) than lambs reared as twins (91 g/day). Lamb growth rate was positively correlated with ewe milk yield (r=0.75; P<0.01), ewe weight (r = 0.37; P< 0.01) and lamb birth weight (r = 0.24; P< 0.05). Lamb birth weight and ewe milk yield were also significantly and positively correlated with ewe weight. Male lambs were significantly heavier at birth and grew significantly faster than female lambs.
Evaluation of feed additives for increasing wool production from Merino sheep. 2. Flavomycin and tetronasin included in lucerne-based pellets or wheaten chaff fed ad libitum
Authors: Aitchison EM , Tanaka K , Rowe JB
Published: March 2005

The feed additives flavomycin, a glycolipid antibiotic, and tetronasin, an ionophore, were evaluated for their ability to improve wool growth and liveweight gains in Merino sheep. Each was included in 2 diets: one was a pelleted mixture of (g/kg) lucerne (590), lupins (250) and barley (1 50); the other diet was wheaten chaff. Flavomycin was included in each diet at 10 and 20 mg/kg feed; tetronasin at 5 and 10 mg/kg feed. During an 8-week experimental period, the diets were fed ad libitum to weaner Merino wethers, with 15 sheep receiving each treatment diet at each level of additive inclusion, and 30 sheep receiving each diet without additives. Liveweight changes, feed intake and wool growth were measured over 2 consecutive 4-week periods, and rumen fluid samples were taken from all sheep after 6 weeks. Feed intake, liveweight gain and wool growth rate were all higher for animals eating the pelleted diets compared with those eating chaff. Rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia (NH3) concentrations were also higher with the pelleted diet. On the pelleted diet, flavomycin and tetronasin inclusion significantly increased liveweight gains during the second 4-week period (296, 277, 231 g/sheep.day for flavomycin, tetronasin and controls respectively, P<0.001), but neither additive had any significant effect on feed intake. The amount of clean wool grown during both measurement periods was greater for animals receiving flavomycin or tetronasin with the pelleted diet compared with control animals. Neither additive had any significant effect on liveweight gains or wool growth of sheep eating chaff. Fibre diameter (FD) was measured on wool clipped in the second period, and was not significantly altered by either additive: mean FDs for animal receiving pellets were 25.1 �m, compared with 18.5 �m for animals receiving chaff. Total rumen VFA concentrations were lower with flavomycin or tetronasin treatments on both diets, and ammonia concentrations were lower with both additives on the pelleted diet and with tetronasin on the chaff diet. It is concluded that both flavomycin and tetronasin were able to increase liveweight gains and wool growth in rapidly growing sheep eating a high-protein diet, but had little or no consistent effects with animals eating a lower quality, low-protein diet.
Quantitative studies of the digestion of tropical and temperate forages by sheep
Authors: Hogan JP , Kennedy PM , McSweeney CS , Schlink AC
Published: March 2005

Studies of the digestion by sheep of tropical grasses Digitaria decumbens and Setaria sphacelata and the temperate grass Lolium perenne grown at 27.5�S. latitude plus a clover Trifolium resupinatum grown in southern Australia are reported. There were no major differences between forages in the site of organic matter digestion, in protein flow from the stomach, in concentrations or proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids and in chewing behaviour between these data and the values generally reported for temperate forages of similar chemical composition and digestibility. However rumen ammonia concentrations for D. decumbens and S. sphacelata (53 and 34 mg N/L) were appreciably lower than predicted values of 108 and 131 mg N/L. Apart from this variable it appears that relationships developed with temperate feeds provide adequate prediction of digestive characteristics of tropical feeds.
Methods of increasing pasture growth on subsoil of a red-brown earth exposed by landforming
Authors: Kelly KB , Blaikie SJ , Mason WK , Martin FM
Published: March 2005

Subsoils are often exposed during landforming for flood irrigation. Pasture growth on subsoil of red-brown earth soils is generally poor. Two ungrazed experiments were conducted on these soils to evaluate methods of increasing productivity of established pasture (experiment 1) and newly sown pasture (experiment 2) on areas of exposed subsoil. Pasture production, soil water status and soil strength were measured. In experiment 1, pasture yield was increased by more frequent irrigation and any soil modification which increased the intake or availability of water. During the irrigation season there was a positive response to applied nitrogen wherever soil water supply was increased. During the rainfed period pasture production was increased by soil modification, nitrogen and by high rates of phosphorus. Total annual yield was increased from 9.1 t/ha at district levels of input to 14.6 t/ha where inputs were maximised. The best yield was only 80% of published values for pasture production on undisturbed areas in the Goulburn Valley. In experiment 2, organic matter (50 t/ha) and replacement of topsoil (75 mm) increased yield by 17 and 47% respectively. However, the positive effect of organic matter on yield persisted for only 10 months after application. Topsoil replacement was the only treatment to restore pasture production to levels previously published.
Predicting the responsiveness of pasture to potassium fertiliser in Victoria
Authors: Gourley CJP
Published: March 2005

A quantitative model has been developed from the results of 180 field experiments in Victoria, to estimate pasture responses to rates of potassium fertiliser, where the amount of soil potassium extracted by 0.05 mol/L HCl, soil texture and annual rainfall are known. Available soil potassium accounted for 42% of the variation in pasture responses. Soil texture did not affect the magnitude of the response to applied potassium, but there was an apparent affect of soil texture on the curvature of the response curve. Potassium fertiliser recommendations in Victoria can now be based on the results of 180 field experiments which measured the response of pasture to potassium fertiliser at different locations and years, under a range of management conditions.
The potential of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) in New South Wales. 1. Growth and yield
Authors: Milthorpe PL , Dunstone RL
Published: March 2005

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis [Link] Schneider) was tested at several sites and on various soil types to assess its production potential under rainfed conditions in semi-arid areas of New South Wales. Stands were established using either plants grown from seed or cuttings taken from selected plants. With good nutrition and weed control, plant height increased at a similar rate over the experiment at all but the most sandy site, where growth was consistently poorer despite similar climatic conditions and management. Stands established from seed had extremely variable yields. Some plants failed to produce seed after 8 years while other plants consistently produced fruit after year 4, with yields as high as 1 kg clean seed per bush by year 8. The average yield was well under 200 g plant-1 except at Trangie in 1986-87 (590 g plant-1). At year 3, 50-100% of female plants were unproductive and by year 8, between 8 and 26% of plants remained unproductive. The variation in yield of the sampled population was consistently high irrespective of seasonal conditions, and usually the upper quartile yield was only marginally higher than the mean. However, the maximum yielding plant produced up to 10 times the mean yield. By contrast, the variation in yield of individuals within a clone was low regardless of the yield potential of that clone and the maximum yielding plant rarely exceeded twice the mean yield. Some clones (A, B and F) show promise as agricultural lines as they are relatively consistent yielders and show early yield development. The highest yield obtained extrapolates to 1.1 t ha-1 at year 7 at a site which averages 417 mm rainfall per year. Further research is needed to identify the reasons for the high variability and fluctuations in yield.
The potential of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) in New South Wales. 2. Some factors affecting yield
Authors: Milthorpe PL , Dunstone RL
Published: March 2005

A jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis [Link] Schneider) stand at Condobolin. N.S.W.. established from a range of plant material, exhibited great variability in a number of plant characteristics including seed yield. Observations over 4 years indicated that a high bud to node ratio is necessary for high yield. Different lines varied from 44 to 74% in this ratio in the fourth year of study. The survival of buds to form open flowers varied greatly between lines and from year to year. Death of flower buds before opening was attributable to frost damage. Buds swelled as early as June in some lines while others showed no sign of swelling until September. In those lines with early swelling or flower opening a high proportion of the buds were frost damaged, whereas late flowering lines had a high rate of survival. Terminal flower buds formed just prior to winter dormancy survived and flowered in the next spring, even in otherwise early flowering lines. Earlier work has shown that jojoba flower buds remain dormant until a chilling requirement has been met. Jojoba lines should have a long chilling requirement to maintain dormancy in the buds until the danger of frosts is past. Almost all of the flowers that opened set fruit, indicating that pollination is not a problem in the New South Wales environment.
The use of germinating-seed baits to detect soil insect pests before crop sowing
Authors: Robertson LN , Simpson GB
Published: March 2005

Germinating crop seed baits buried at shallow depth in moist fallow fields attracted soil-dwelling insects that adversely affect crop establishment. Presoaked grain sorghum seed attracted all potential pests found in soil samples in Central Queensland trials within 4-7 days from placement. Subterranean insects such as Tenebrionidae, Elateridae and Scarabaeidae larvae, black field earwig [Nala lividipes (Dufour)] and seed-harvesting ants (Pheidole sp.) were found near the seed and the seedling roots, while seedling shoots attracted surface-active feeders [wingless cockroaches (Calolampra elegans Roth and Princis), adult Tenebrionidae and Gryllidae]. The germinating seed bait method was superior to existing methods (insecticide-treated surface baits and soil sampling), both in the variety of species detected and in reduction in labour required. Germinating sorghum, wheat, sunflower and soybean seeds were equally attractive to wingless cockroaches, in 2 trials. Numbers of C. elegans/bait.day on germinating seed baits were correlated with numbers on insecticide-treated baits (r2 = 0.60, P(0.01).
Development of a leaf sampling technique and leaf standards for kiwifruit in New South Wales
Authors: Cresswell GC
Published: March 2005

The nutrient composition of foliage from mature vines of the kiwifruit varieties, Hayward and Bruno was monitored monthly over 3 consecutive growing seasons in an orchard on the central coast of New South Wales. Within a season, concentrations of N (5.07-2.74%), P (1.0-0.44%), K (3.29-1.95%) and Zn (36-19 mg/kg) in the first leaf after the fruit generally declined while concentrations of Ca (1.4 1 - 4.21%), Mg(0.28-0.50%) and Mn (151-275 mg/kg) increased. Leaf composition was relatively stable in February and this is proposed as a suitable standard sampling time for leaf analysis in New South Wales. Only minor differences in nutrient composition were found between the first leaf and other potential index leaves remaining on shoots at this time. Using this leaf sampling procedure, commercial kiwifruit orchards in New South Wales were surveyed over 3 consecutive seasons. The applicability of the New Zealand leaf analysis standards for use in New South Wales was assessed by comparing the predicted and actual performance of orchards in the survey. Where unreasonable divergence between the two was noted the standards were amended to make them more relevant to field conditions in New South Wales.
Comparison of the use of total phosphorus concentration and acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentration in petioles for assessing the phosphorus status of potato crops
Authors: Maier NA , Potocky-Pacay KA , Williams CMJ
Published: March 2005

We studied the effect of rate of applied phosphorus on total phosphorus concentration (17 sites) and acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentration (12 sites) in petioles of youngest fully expanded leaves of potatoes (cvv. Kennebec, Coliban and Exton) when their largest tubers were 5-10 mm long. We showed that the internal requirements for phosphorus are similar for the cvv. Kennebec and Coliban. Taken over all sites, mean total phosphorus concentrations and acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.22 to 0.84% and 0.10 to 0.63%, respectively depending on phosphorus supply. For each site a coefficient of determination (r2) was calculated based on the mean total phosphorus concentration versus acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentration data for all treatments. The r2 values varied from 0.969 (site 14) to 0.997 (site 17). On the pooled data for all sites, the Cate-Nelson separation and the Mitscherlich and Smith-Dolby bent-hyperbola models were used to investigate the correlations between relative yield [(mean treatment yields/maximum treatment yie1d)x 100] and total phosphorus concentration (n = 16 1, 17 sites) and acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentration (n = 112, 12 sites) and to calculate the critical values. Depending on the model fitted the critical total phosphorus concentrations varied from 0.41 (r2 = 0.62) to 0.53% (r2 = 0.72). The critical acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentrations varied from 0.29 (r2 = 0.62) to 0.52% (r2 = 0.72). Critical concentration ranges of 0.41-0-53% for total phosphorus and 0.29-0.52% for acetic acid soluble phosphorus have been proposed to assist in the assessment of the phosphorus status of irrigated potato crops in South Australia. Based on sensitivity, reproducibility and sharpness of the transition zone between adequacy and deficiency we found no advantage in determining acetic acid soluble phosphorus concentration rather than total phosphorus concentration to assess the phosphorus status of potato plants.
Effects of low rates of pesticides on the control of pests and diseases of apples
Authors: Wicks TJ , Granger AR
Published: March 2005

Fungicides and insecticides used at the recommended rate, and reduced recommended rates were applied at low volume (100 L ha-1) to apple trees in field experiments in South Australia from 1985 to 1988. At harvest the incidence of fruit damaged by fungi and insects was assessed on Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonathan and Granny Smith cultivars. Mixtures of penconazole and mancozeb applied at the recommended rates of 800 mL and 4.5 kg ha-1 respectively as well as 25% and 10% of the recommended rates controlled apple scab completely in 1986, but were less effective in 1987. Azinphos-methyl applied at the recommended rate of 2.7 kg and 25% of the recommended rate reduced codling moth infestation to commercially acceptable levels of <2 % on Red Delicious only in 1987. Considerable cost savings are possible by using low rates of pesticides. Our results suggest that the use of low rates is more applicable to low valued cultivars such as Jonathans and orchards with low levels of pest and disease.
Fostering in sheep: an exploratory comparison of several approaches
Authors: Alexander G , Stevens D , Bradley LR
Published: March 2005

Six potential methods for fostering lambs were investigated. Three involved transferring soft paraffin, dilute detergent solution or a hessian coat from a ewe's own lamb to a potential foster lamb. The effectiveness of placing own lamb's wool in a mask worn by the foster ewe was also tested, together with washing lambs in detergent solution. In the sixth procedure, untreated foster lambs were merely confined with the foster ewe. The first 3 methods, which attempted to transfer odour between lambs were 80-93% successful, and transfer of soft paraffin and coats resulted in earlier acceptance of alien lambs than complete washing or confinement alone. The effectiveness of a ewe mask containing own lamb's wool was intermediate. The initial application of soft paraffin, prior to transfer, also appeared to increase the attractiveness of alien lambs to ewes. Some flock differences in ease of fostering were encountered.
Uptake of selenite fertilizer by subterranean clover pasture in Western Australia
Authors: Whelan BR
Published: March 2005

. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) based pastures were fertilised with sodium selenite at 9 rates from 0 to 800 g Se/ha on 2 sites in 1983. In order to measure the residual value in 1984 and 1985, further applications of sodium selenite were superimposed on the original 9 treatments. Green pasture was sampled annually, dry pasture was sampled once, only in 1984 and the concentration of selenium in the pasture was measured. The sampled pasture was sorted into 2 components: subterranean clover, and non-subterranean clover. Except for the third site that had a quadratic response for the non-subterranean clover component of the pasture, the concentration of selenium in plants increased linearly with application rate. The selenium concentration in subterranean clover was lower than that in the other species in the pasture. Differences between years were large: in 1985, the concentration in plant material was twice that in 1983 and 1984. The dry summer feed had higher concentrations of selenium than the green pasture. The residual value of selenite was 25% in the first year and 15% in the second year. Adequate dietary levels of selenium for sheep would require an annual application of about 200 g sodium selenite/ha to these soils.
Effect of closing date and harvest date on yield and quality of a perennial ryegrass-white clover sward in spring
Authors: Belton JM , Michell PJ , Fulkerson WJ
Published: March 2005

Ninety-six plots (each 3 by 2 m) of perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture were randomly allocated within 4 replicate blocks to each of 3 closing date x 8 harvest date treatments to determine the effect of closing date on yield and quality of herbage produced over spring. Closing dates were 19 August (CLD 1), 9 September (CLD 2) and 30 September (CLD 3). Harvest dates were at weekly intervals from 14 October to 2 December. The increase in dry matter (DM) with time from closing was best described by a straight line relationship with DM yield increasing by an average of 104 kg/ha.day for the earlier closing dates and a quadratic relationship for CLD 3, reaching 7026,5732 and 4287 kg DM/ha on 2 December for CLD 1,2 and 3 respectively. From an initial digestibility of 74.2, 77.1 and 78.8% on 14 October, for CLD 1, CLD 2 and CLD 3 respectively, herbage quality dropped rapidly over the harvest period by about 2.8% per week and was below 65% by 11 November for the earlier closed treatments and 1 week later for the 30 September closing. DM yield was also maximised by late harvest (late November), which allowed pasture to grow uninterrupted through the reproductive phase. Early harvest (mid October) was necessary to maximise herbage digestibility because of the rapid decline in herbage quality in spring. Therefore, optimum harvest date depended on compromising either quality or yield of pasture, which illustrates the need to consider the 'end use' of conserved fodder when selecting harvest date.
Sulphur and phosphorus fertilizers increase the yield of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) five-fold in native pasture on a traprock soil
Authors: Clarkson NM , Swann IF , Chaplain NP
Published: March 2005

A single application of sulfur and phosphorus in the first year produced a 5-fold yield increase in barrel medic (Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong), every year for 3 years, on traprock country in southern inland Queensland. In the first year, the yield of medic increased from 400 (untreated) to 1300 kg/ha with sulfur alone (at 40 kg/ha), and to 2300 kg /ha with sulfur and phosphorus together (both at 40 kg/ha). In the second and third years, sulfur and phosphorus together increased yields from 300 to 1400 kg/ha, and from 800 to 4000 kg/ha, respectively. The experiment tested factorial combinations of sulfur and phosphorus, both at 0, 10 and 40 kg/ha, 3 sources of sulfur (gypsum, superphosphate fortified with elemental sulfur and called 'super and sulfur', and elemental sulfur) and agricultural limestone at 2500 kg/ha. Seed and fertiliser were broadcast into a native pasture at the start of the experiment. Elemental sulfur was inferior to gypsum and 'super and sulfur' in the first year, but equally effective thereafter. There was no response to lime. Fertilising with sulfur and phosphorus together increased the sulfur concentration in medic tops from 0.10 to 0.23%, the phosphorus concentration from 0.19 to 0.23%, and the nitrogen concentration from 2.12 to 2.82%. Nutrient concentrations in plant and soil were examined as an aid to diagnosing deficiencies at other sites. We concluded that adequately fertilising medic with sulfur and phosphorus can greatly improve pasture yield and quality, and allow higher stocking rates on traprock country.