bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in the wheat intake of individual sheep measured by use of labelled grain: behavioural influences
Authors: Juwarini E , Howard B , Siebert BD , Lynch JJ , Elwin RL
Published: March 2005

A preliminary experiment with sheep in pens demonstrated that wheat grain could be labelled with tritiated water so that when fed it could provide data that would allow accurate calculation of individual feed consumption. This techinque was used with two groups of sheep fed supplementary wheat grain in paddocks. Half of the animals had previous experience of grain feeding some eight months earlier and the others had not eaten grain. Individual diversity of intake could be estimated usefully by tritium labelling of wheat, which was fed to the sheep in a group. The experiment showed that there was a threefold difference in the amount of wheat eaten between the lowest and highest intakes. Further, animals with previous experience of grain feeding consumed the entire ration initially, but those without previous experience did not consume all of the ration until two weeks after wheat feeding began. Over the period of measurement the experienced sheep consumed about 13% more wheat than the non-experienced group. There were insufficient aggressive acts to establish a dominance hierarchy in either group, although the experienced sheep were more aggressive than the others. Aggressiveness by one sheep towards other sheep did not result in higher wheat intakes by the former compared with other sheep in the group. The results are discussed in terms of the variability in acceptance of such supplements by animals, and of the value, later in life, of early introduction of supplementary feeding.
The response of crossbred ewes given oats supplemented with urea, protein pellets or lucerne chaff
Authors: Hodge RW , Bogdanovic B , Sweatman D
Published: March 2005

Supplementation with 1.5% urea increased (P < 0.01) the dry matter intake by crossbred ewes fed oats (7.2% crude protein) during late pregnancy and lactation. The increase in intake by the ewes during lactation resulted in a higher weaning weight of single lambs (10.2 vs 18.6 kg, P < 0.01 ),and enabled twin lambs to attain a weaning weight of 12.9 kg. Unsupplemented ewes suckling twin lambs were removed from the experiment 3 weeks after lambing when their mean liveweight was only 35.3 kg compared with 51.0 kg 6 weeks before lambing. Additional increases in dry matter intake of the ewes and liveweight of the lambs at 6 weeks of age were obtained by adding iso-nitrogenous supplements of commercial protein pellets or lucerne chaff. Fewer (P < 0.05) twin lambs died within the first 7 days when the oats were supplemented with lucerne chaff. The results indicate that supplementation of low protein oats with urea increased the intake of crossbred ewes suckling single or twin lambs and the increase was particularly important for ewes with twin lambs. Additional benefits achieved by supplementing with protein pellets or lucerne chaff were not of practical or economic significance.
Establishment of introduced grasses at different stages of pasture development: effects of seedbed
Authors: McIvor JG , Gardener CJ
Published: March 2005

The seedbed preparation necessary for the successful establishment of five promising perennial grasses for the dry tropics was studied on two pastures - native grassland and a pasture dominated by Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano - near Townsville, in northern Queensland. Seed of Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Biloela, Chloris gayana cv. Callide, Chrysopogon sp. CPI 5221 3, Digitaria milanjiana CPI 5981 4 and Urochloa mosambicensis CPI 46876 was sown into the two pastures, which had been left untreated, sprayed with herbicide, burnt, or burnt and cultivated. S. hamata cv. Verano was also sown on the native grassland plots. Sowings were made at the start of the growing season in successive years. Germination of all lines was adequate except where a thick layer of green and dead herbage physically separated the seed from the soil surface; this happened on the native pasture plots that were untreated or herbicide treated. However, there was high plant mortality in the first month after sowing except where plant competition had been reduced or removed by cultivation or spraying. After this period, most plants survived to the end of the wet season in both pasture types. This pattern of change in plant numbers resulted in good establishment on the cultivated seedbeds, some establishment on the herbicide-treated plots and little or no establishment on the control and burnt plots. Of the five grasses, U. mosambicensis had the best establishment and Chrysopogon sp. and D. milanjiana the worst. None seem likely to survive when sown into living grassland. We therefore conclude that the use of these introduced species will be largely restricted to completely cleared and cultivated land.
Honeybee pollination of sunflower cultivars Hysun 30 and Sunfola
Authors: Langridge DF , Goodman RD
Published: March 2005

In trials on an irrigated crop of hybrid sunflowers, (Helianthus annuus), cv. Hysun 30, in northern Victoria, plots where bees had access produced 11 % more seed than plots where bees and larger insects were excluded. Although some seed was set in cages by airborne pollination and self-pollination, honeybees increased seed set significantly. There was a slightly greater oil content in seed from open plots but no difference in weight of 1000 seeds or percentage germination. There was a 20% increase in the percentage of flowers that set seed in the open compared with enclosed plots. There was a 1362% increase in open-pollinated flowers that set seed compared with self-pollinated, but there was no difference between open-pollinated and open-pollinated supplemented by hand-pollination. The yield of seed from open plots of the so-called 'open-pollinated' cv. Sunfola was directly related to the honeybee density on the crop, expressed as ratio of bees to inflorescences. Honeybees were effective cross-pollinators of the sunflowers. Hysun 30 pollen was not attractive to bees and they tended to discard it. Colony strength declined while the bees worked the crop. The data suggest that a rate of one honeybee per plant during anthesis could optimize yields of set seed.
Effects of plant spacing and season on growth of Melaleuca alternifolia and yield of tea tree oil
Authors: Small BEJ
Published: March 2005

A plant spacing experiment with the tea tree oil species, Melaleuca alternifolia was carried out at Castle Hill, New South Wales, from 1970 to 1979. The study compared the response to three within-row spacings and measured the effects of seasons over seven harvests. The planting patterns tested were 1.22 x 1.22, 0.61 and 0.305 m. For all years there was an average increase in leaf and oil yield of 93% (2.9 l/ha and 46 l/ha, respectively) in the highest population (26 908 trees/ha) compared with the lowest (6727 trees/ha). Large differences in growth rate and oil yield occurred between years. I conclude that M. alternifolia is amenable to cultivation for tea tree oil production, plant spacing is an important factor in its management and optimum population exceeds 27 000 trees/ha.
Seed production and longevity, seasonal emergence and phenology of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.)
Authors: Reeves TG , Code GR , Piggin CM
Published: March 2005

Experiments conducted from 1977 to 1979, at Rutherglen, north-eastern Victoria, investigated seed production, seed longevity, seasonal emergence and phenological development in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), a weed of field crops. Seed production of wild radish reached 17 275 seeds/m2; seeds retained viability and germinated over a period of three years. The loss of viability was faster at the soil surface or at 1 cm depth than at 5 or 10 cm. Of 1000 wild radish seeds buried at 1 cm depth, 737 emerged after three years, compared with 367, 167 and 5 at 0.5 and 10 cm, respectively. Phenological development of wild radish was affected by time of planting, and the duration of the period from plant emergence to plant senescence ranged from 5 to 10 months. Temperature appeared to influence development up to flowering, but photoperiod affected the length of flowering. Plants emerging at any time during the year were able to flower and seed successfully. The implications of these findings for control programs are discussed.
Assessing the availability of potassium in soils
Authors: Graley AM
Published: March 2005

Two forms of depletion cropping were examined. Perennial ryegrass was continuously cropped on two contrasting soils in pots. Simultaneously, repeated crops of ryegrass, subterranean clover, and marrow-stem kale were grown by a modified system of depletion cropping in which the whole plant was harvested and the soil sampled before being repotted for further crops. Fractions of soil potassium determined by chemical extractions were compared with the results from depletion cropping. Although the modified system needed added attention, particularly between crops, the available potassium was well exploited because of the thorough mixing of the soil. A further benefit was that the depletion of potassium in soils and plants could be followed progressively. Different root systems of the plant species greatly influenced the total potassium uptake. Reserves of initially non-exchangeable potassium contributed much to the uptake while decrease in soil potassium measured by repeated nitric acid extractions ranged from 63 to 80% of the uptake. Ryegrass with its dense root system was able to take up more non-exchangeable potassium from a yellow podzolic soil than clover and kale.
Fruit injury and residues resulting from methyl bromide fumigation of avocados
Authors: Chaplin GR , Rippon LE , Singh G , McBride RL
Published: March 2005

Avocados treated with methyl bromide at a dose of 32 g/m3 for two hours at 20�C suffered severe injury and subsequent wastage when stored for 11 d at 7�C in sealed polyethylene bags. However, the incidence of fumigant injury was inversely related to the time allowed for aeration between fumigation and cold storage in bags, and after 24 h of aeration there was no fumigant injury. A thick-skinned cultivar (Queen) was found to be less susceptible to injury than a thin-skinned type (Fuerte). Both methyl bromide and inorganic bromide residues varied with cultivar, and after storage the thinskinned type had approximately twice the inorganic bromide levels as the thick-skinned cultivar. Methyl bromide and inorganic bromide residues were within the 6.5 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg maximum residue limits, respectively, recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council. No differences in flavour or texture were detected by sensory evaluation of fumigated and nonfumigated fruit either efore or after cold storage.
Effects of mowing and spraying of 2,4,5-T on blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) and pasture species
Authors: Amor RL , Harris RV
Published: March 2005

In a field trial in southern Victoria, boom spraying with 2,4,5-T gave a higher level of control of blackberry than mowing, and mowing in addition to spraying did not improve (P = 0.05) the level of control. In a second trial, spraying was superior to mowing although the difference was smaller than in the first trial, and less marked, and the combination of mowing and spraying resulted in a greater reduction in the percentage ground cover of blackberry. Sprayed thickets were colonized by grasses and weedy species but not by Trifolium repens, which is a basic component of pastures in areas where blackberry is often a weed. It is concluded that repeated mowing, or boom spraying with 2,4,5-T, and topdressing with fertilizer are only moderately successful in attempting to replace blackberry with a productive pasture. This is attributed to the difficulty in killing the extensive root system of blackberry and the effect of 2,4,5-T on T. repens.
Promalin promotes lateral shoot development of young cherry trees
Authors: Veinbrants N , Miller P
Published: March 2005

Promalin (a commercial formulation of N-(phenylmethy1)-1 H-purin-6-amine plus gibberellins A4 + A7) applied at bud swell and bud burst increased the number of spurs and lateral shoots on one-year-old wood of primary scaffold limbs of young cherry trees. Painted applications gave more consistent responses than sprayed applications. Total length of shoot growth on treated three-yearold cherry trees was more than double that of control trees and lateral shoots induced by Promalin had broad crotch angles.
Effects of fasting and transport on liveweight loss and the prediction of hot carcase weight of cattle
Authors: Smith RJ , Nicholls PJ , Thompson JM , Ryan DM
Published: March 2005

At the start of a 53 h pre-slaughter fast, 144 steers were subjected to either 0 (controls), 3 or 12 h of road transport to examine the precision of predicting hot carcase weight from liveweight and the effect of transport on liveweight loss and hot carcase weight. The mean rate of liveweight loss declined progressively with fasting, from 2.57 kg/h during the first 5.3 h to 0.71 kg/h during the final 23.6 h. The precision of predicting hot carcase weight from liveweight showed little improvement beyond 5.3 h of fasting. Transport tended to reduce the rate of liveweight loss during the first 24 h of fasting. Hot carcase weight decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing transport length, after an adjustment was made to the same zero-hour liveweight and pre-trial liveweight gain. As a means of improving the precision of predicting hot carcase weight from liveweight, these results question the need for the current practice of fasting cattle overnight before weighing for sale.
Offspring-sire regressions for production traits of pigs in a West Australian selection herd
Authors: Morris CA , Goss BM , Wolskel RH
Published: March 2005

Results from farm performance tests of Landrace and Large White pigs were collected over 14 months in a nucleus herd in Western Australia. They were used to make offspring-sire estimates of heritability for average daily gain and two combined ultrasonic fat depths (CK fat). Pigs were tested at about 85 kg and average daily gain was estimated from birth. Only 60% of records from the offspring of homebred sires were analysed, together with the performance test records from all of these sires. Data were adjusted for breed, and then contemporary deviations were estimated as the deviation of a pig's performance from that of all his contemporaries. The offspring-sire heritability estimates accounted for the effects of breed and sex, with sums of squares then being pooled, giving values of 0.05 � 0.1 6 and 0.57 � 0.15 for average daily gain and CK fat, respectively. Adjustments for body weight increased the estimates to 0.27 and 0.68 but with larger standard errors. These latter heritability estimates were very similar to the paternal half sib estimates. The means of all offspring of homebred and purchased boars indicated no advantage of purchased boars over homebreds in the Landrace breed. However, for Large Whites, the purchased boars were genetically superior in average daily gain and inferior in CK fat (by 2.1 and 0.9 a, respectively, in the performance of progeny). The heritability estimates from this study, applied to group-fed farm-tested pigs, suggest similar results to those from central tests or farm tests in Queensland. However, some attention should be given in tested pigs to variation in final liveweights, and possibly to a start weight at weaning instead of at birth.
Effects of limestone on pasture yields and the pH of two krasnozems in north-western Tasmania
Authors: Rowe BA
Published: March 2005

Ground limestone and molybdenum were applied to well fertilized, clover based, perennial pastures established on krasnozems with a pH of 5.5 at Elliott and Central Castra in north-western Tasmania. The experiments began in 1971 and continued until June 1976 at Central Castra and April 1979 at Elliott. Limestone was applied in increments of 2.5 t/ha over several years to achieve a maximum cumulative application of 12.5 t/ha at Central Castra and 15.0 t/ha at Elliott. These broadcast applications of limestone increased the pH of the surface 75 mm of the soils by 0.1 units for each tonne of limestone applied per hectare. Large increases in soil pH were recorded in the surface 150 mm of the soils when measured 18 months after the last limestone application but the increases were small (less than 0.2 pH units) below this depth. Limestone applications totalling 7.5-15.0 t/ha significantly increased pasture dry matter yields in more than half the harvests taken in summer, autumn and early spring but not in late spring. These increases, which ranged from 200-1200 kg/ha, are of potential agricultural importance since they occurred when feed supplies often restrict production from dairy herds grazing dryland pasture in northwestern Tasmania. The factor or factors limiting production on the unlimed plots have not been identified but, contrary to previous reports, the yield increases from the limestone applications were not due to an increase in the availability of molybdenum associated with the increase in soil pH.
Correction - Effects of limestone on pasture yields and the pH of two krasnozems in north-western Tasmania
Authors: Rowe BA
Published: March 2005

Ground limestone and molybdenum were applied to well fertilized, clover based, perennial pastures established on krasnozems with a pH of 5.5 at Elliott and Central Castra in north-western Tasmania. The experiments began in 1971 and continued until June 1976 at Central Castra and April 1979 at Elliott. Limestone was applied in increments of 2.5 t/ha over several years to achieve a maximum cumulative application of 12.5 t/ha at Central Castra and 15.0 t/ha at Elliott. These broadcast applications of limestone increased the pH of the surface 75 mm of the soils by 0.1 units for each tonne of limestone applied per hectare. Large increases in soil pH were recorded in the surface 150 mm of the soils when measured 18 months after the last limestone application but the increases were small (less than 0.2 pH units) below this depth. Limestone applications totalling 7.5-15.0 t/ha significantly increased pasture dry matter yields in more than half the harvests taken in summer, autumn and early spring but not in late spring. These increases, which ranged from 200-1 200 kg/ha, are of potential agricultural importance since they occurred when feed supplies often restrict production from dairy herds grazing dryland pasture in northwestern Tasmania. The factor or factors limiting production on the unlimed plots have not been identified but, contrary to previous reports, the yield increases from the limestone applications were not due to an increase in the availability of molybdenum associated with the increase in soil pH.
Population estimates of insect pests of stored products on farms on the Darling Downs, Queensland
Authors: Sinclair ER
Published: March 2005

Three surveys were undertaken to obtain estimates of the numbers of insects in stored products on farms on the Darling Downs, Queensland. In one survey, 57 farms were sampled once during 1977-1 978. In another, samples were taken at four-weekly intervals from three farms throughout 1977 and in the third, 16 of the first 57 farms were revisited in 1979. Samples were taken from grain stored for farm use, or grain spills and residues. Live adult insects were removed by mechanical sieving, counted and identified. The mean amounts of grain per farm, estimated visually, were 950 kg of bulk and bagged stocks of feed and seed grain, 270 kg of grain spills, 65 kg in auger boots, 100 kg in trucks and in headers, and 75 kg in other residues. Modal amounts were less, being in the range of 0-100 kg per farm for bagged and bulk grain, and spills on earthen floors, and 0-50 kg for other residues. Sitophiius oryzae (L.) (the rice weevil), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (the lesser grain borer), the Cryptolestes spp, group (flat grain beetles), and Trifolium castaneum (Herbst.) (rust-red flour beetle) were the most common pests, being 46.5%, 20.9%, 10.8% and 7.3% of the 52 330 insects found in the first two surveys. These four pests were found on 89.3%, 87.5%, 62.5% and 91.1% of the 57 farms in the first survey. The mean farm populations of these four pests combined was estimated at 360 000 adults (with a modal population per farm in the range of 0-50 000) of which approximately 88% were in bulk and bagged stocks of grain. However, this mean was inflated by a small number of farms having very large populations. An estimated 54% of farms had less than 50 000 adult pests. The second survey showed that insect populations peaked in late autumn, and reached a minimum in early summer.
Ground control of nymphal (hopper) bands of the Australian plague locusts in eastern Australia
Authors: Wright DE
Published: March 2005

Landholders control hopper bands of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker), by ground spraying using diluted emulsifiable concentrate insecticide, usually fenitrothion. The effectiveness of this method was assessed in 1978 and 1979 in New South Wales. Line transects were used to assess the infestation level shortly before and 36 h after treatment; the estimated mean reduction in infestation was only 38% when the bands alone were sprayed but 80% if the whole paddock or a large section was blanket sprayed. The cost of blanket treatment ($13.20/ha of band destroyed) was far greater than direct band attack ($3.70), except where ultra-low volume methods were used to drift spray an area ($5.60). Ground control could be twice as effective if blanket spraying was widely adopted, but this would require the general use of ultra-low volume spraying equipment. Furthermore, fewer bands would be missed if all paddocks were thoroughly searched before spraying.
Cottonseed meal and molasses as sources of protein and energy for cattle offered low quality hay from pastures of the North Coast of New South Wales
Authors: Hennessy DW , Murison RD
Published: March 2005

Cottonseed meal and molasses, regarded as sources of protein and energy for cattle, were included with a basal ration of low quality pasture hay and fed to beef cattle in an experiment that contained two periods of 50 d each. The hay was made from a pasture consisting predominantly of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). The pasture site was on the North Coast of New South Wales with a subtropical climate and an area where cattle lose liveweight during the winter or cool-dry season. The experiment aimed at determining whether the intake of hay, and liveweight of cattle, could be increased by supplements of either cottonseed meal or molasses or both. The experimental design was based on a response-surface with 12 treatment combinations. Twenty-four Hereford steers, aged about 26 months and having a mean liveweight of 315 � 28 kg were used. They were offered the low quality hay (435 g digestible organic matter (DOM)/kg dry matter (DM); 7.3 g nitrogen (N)/kg DM) in amounts expected to be 15% greater than that eaten. Fixed amounts of the energy supplement (undiluted molasses) were offered in separate containers at 0,0.5, 1.3 and 2.1 kg/d. Cotttonseed meal (930 g organic matter (0M)lkg DM) was added to the hay to raise the N content of the ration from the 7.3 g N/kg DM of the basal ration (A) to 14.1 (B), 19.4 (C) and 25.7 (D) g N/kg DM. Steers on ration C ate 19.3% more hay (P c 0.05) than steers on ration A; steers on rations B and D ate 11.0 and 14.5%, respectively, more hay than steers on ration A ( P < 0.10). Molasses had no significant effect on hay intake, but as did cottonseed meal, it increased steer liveweight. Final liveweight (LW: kg) was a function of the initial liveweight (IW: kg) and of the amount of supplements eaten (kg/d) for both cottonseed meal (CSM) and molasses (Mol). LW = 16.7(+ 11.0) + 5.9(+ 2.0)Mol + 38.3(� 5.6)CSM - 9.2(� 2.0)CSM2 + 0.88(� 0.03)IW; Residual standard deviation � 8.7. N balance, and excretion of N in faeces and urine, were increased (P < 0.05) by cottonseed meal but not by molasses supplements. Liveweight change (LWC: g/d) was a function of N balance (NB: g/d). LWC = - 1 08.3(� 48.0) + 19.7(� 2.1 4)NB; Residual standard deviation � 243. Liveweight change was also a function of the digestible organic matter intake (D0MI:gld) from the total ration. LWC = - 996(� 104) + 0.364(� 0.032)DOMI; Residual standard deviation � 182. The results highlight the limitation to cattle growth imposed by the low N intake from the pasture hay, and a consequent low intake of DOM. They suggest that cottonseed meal is a suitable source of protein for cattle on the North Coast although in districts growing sugar cane economics may favour the use of molasses as an energy source provided that some protein is added to it
Skin and fleece characteristics of two groups of feral goats
Authors: Holst PJ , Clarke WH
Published: March 2005

Fibre and skin data were obtained from two groups of Australian feral goats that displayed obvious undercoats of cashmere. Similar goats are used as foundation stock in Angora and cashmere goat breeding enterprises. Mean length and diameter of cashmere fibre in one group of 62 does were 5.5 cm and 15.9 �m, respectively. Follicle density on their ten-month-old progeny was 22.9/mm2. In the second group of 16 goats located at latitude 33�S, fibre was sampled over the period April to September. Maximum cashmere length was obtained in May and moulting occurred from July to September.
Population estimates of cereal cyst nematode and response of wheat to granular nematicides
Authors: King PM , Rovira AD , Brisbane PG , Simon A , Brown RH
Published: March 2005

Response of vegetative growth and grain yield of wheat Triticum aestivum cv. Condor to the control of cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae by nematicides applied with the seed, in the drill row was assessed in twenty field trials. These trials were conducted in 1978 on three soil types near Coonalpyn, South Australia. Aldicarb was used at all sites and fosthietan and terbufos at four sites. Significant grain yield increases to aldicarb were obtained at 12 sites while yields were increased by the three nematicides at three sites. Numbers of eggs of H. avenae were determined in soil taken in January 1978, and these counts showed that all sites were infested over the range 0.03-8.5 eggs/g soil. Plant assays of the soils assessed the reduction in the length of seminal root axes (range 0-45%) and the severity of the root knotting caused by H. avenae. The egg densities in the soil, reduction in the length of the seminal root axes and disease ratings in the plant assay were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.75; P< 0.001 to 0.91, P< 0.001). These variables were not significantly correlated with grain yield increase due to aldicarb on the two major wheat soils studied, although a correlation, explaining 32-42% of the increase, existed when all sites were considered. A mathematical model based on cropping history and an estimated annual hatch of eggs of H. avenae failed to show a relation between these variables and the yield increase from nematicide. H. avenae caused severe disease and yield loss on calcareous loams and red duplex soils but had only minimal effects at the sites on siliceous sands.
Production of early rockmelons with polythene mulches and tunnels
Authors: Sarooshi RA , Creecy H , Harrison GC
Published: March 2005

In an experiment with transplanted rockmelons, cultivar Yanco Treat, sown in early September and sprayed with the herbicide, trifluralin, a clear polythene mulch (CPM) and clear polythene tunnel (CPT) increased soil temperatures, advanced maturity, and increased the number of fruit, but the CPM produced smaller fruit than untreated controls. Daytime soil temperatures under black polythene mulch (BPM) were similar to those of the control. Trifluralin was not effective as a herbacide for rockmelons. In another experiment with rockmelons sown directly into the field the cultivar PMR 45 was sown in early September, CPM, CPT, BPM and perforated polythene mulch (PPM) used alone or in combination produced earlier fruit than the control. The CPT, BPM + PPT (perforated polythene tunnel), BPM + CPT and CPM produced more fruit than BPM or the untreated control. The CPT, BPM and BPM + PPT also produced larger fruit than the controls. In both experiments, the main advantage of BPM was better weed control. Polythene treatments had no effect on Brix content of the fruit.
Liveweight of grazing steers supplemented with molasses, urea and sulfur in northern Queensland
Authors: Winks L , O'Rourke PK , McLennan SR
Published: March 2005

Steers grazing native pasture were supplemented with 0, 0.8 or 2.4 g of sulfur/head.d in addition to a molasses (230 or 115 g/head.d) and urea (60 g/head.d) supplement over four dry seasons. The unsupplemented animals lost most or gained least weight during the feeding period in all four years but the difference was significant (P< 0.05) in only two years. Adding sulfur to the molasses and urea tended to give the best results but the effect was not significant (P> 0.05) over the results achieved with feeding only molasses and urea. There was a tendency for liveweight performance to be better with the higher level of molasses, but again differences were not significant. Blood sulfate-sulfur levels during the feeding period increased with the level of sulfur fed but levels were not significantly correlated with liveweight change. Compensatory growth by unsupplemented groups after the feeding period eliminated liveweight advantages of supplemented groups. The results suggest that the level of molasses in a molasses and urea supplement for yearling cattle grazing native pastures on solodic soils during the dry season in northern Queensland can be reduced to 115 g/head.d without adversely affecting liveweight. These results may not apply on sulfur deficient soils and in dry years.
Correction - A comparison of the growth rate and carcase characteristics of steers and heifers when entire, spayed, pregnant or fitted with an intravaginal device
Authors: Saul GR , Baud SR , McDonald JW , McRae C , Clark AJ
Published: March 2005

Four separate experiments were conducted at three localities in Victoria to compare the growth and carcase characteristics of steers and heifers either as entire (not pregnant), spayed, fitted with a HEIGRO intravaginal device, or pregnant. All treatments were compared in the major experiment of the series with two or more of the treatments compared in the other experiments. A total of 212 yearling cattle was used in the experiments, which were conducted mainly at pasture for periods of 4-11 months. The differences between the growth rate of steers and entire heifers (3.5%) and entire and spayed heifers (5.0%) were not significant. Pregnant heifers gained weight faster during mid-pregnancy (P < 0.05) but their dressing percentage and carcase weight were lower (P < 0.05) than all other groups. There were few significant differences in fat depth and only small differences in any of the carcase characteristics measured. We conclude that entire heifers grew and fattened as well as steers and that neither spraying nor the use of the HEIGRO device improved carcase weight gain but that pregnancy reduce it.
Mating activity and reproductive performance in Merino flocks where ram percentages are 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25
Authors: Fowler DG
Published: March 2005

Mature Merino rams were joined at rates of one ram to 100 ewes (1.0%), one ram to 200 ewes (0.5%) and one ram to 400 ewes (0.25%) in paddocks at Richmond, New South Wales. Fresh rams were introduced each day of joining and mating activity was measured and behaviour was studied by direct observation. Thirty-eight days after the removal of entire rams, the ewes were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were collected and examined. As ram percentage fell so also did services per ewe (4.3 to 2.2), number of ewes that mated (6.2 to 3.3/d) and the percentage of ewes that became pregnant (88.8 to 60.4%). Ram service activity remained constant as the number of ewes per ram increased. There were increases in the number of oestrous ewes in physical contact with and crowding the rams and in the number of ewes returning to be served in the second period of joining. The study suggests that the percentage of mature Merino rams joined with mature Merino ewes should not be less than one, because below this value, reproductive performance declines. The decline may be due to oestrous ewes crowding around the ram, thus preventing rams from increasing service activity thereby reducing services per ewe, ewes mated and ewes pregnant.
Effects of spray inoculation equipment on the viability of Rhizobium spp. in liquid inoculants for legumes
Authors: Gault RR , Chase DL , Brockwell J
Published: March 2005

Pumping equipment designed for seedbed inoculation of legumes with liquid inoculants was set up on a test bed in the laboratory. Experiments, in which liquid inoculant was circulated through the equipment, were conducted to determine the effect on inoculant viability of variables likely to be encountered when farmers used the equipment in the field. Provided that peat cultures of Rhizobium spp. were used to make liquid inoculant, neither pump type, operating pressure up to 173 kPa, water temperature up to 35�C, nor water impurity up to a level equivalent to 170 �S/cm conductivity seriously reduced inoculant populations during the first hour of treatment, although a significant decline in numbers occurred in three out of 16 experiments. When inoculant was exposed to the various treatments for long periods, a significant loss of viability occurred, in 7 out of 13 experiments, between 4-8 h. R. meliloti was least affected by treatment and R. leguminosarum most affected, but this may have been due to strain differences as much as to species differences. Liquid inoculants which were made from broth cultures lost viability very quickly. R.. meliloti liquid inoculant, prepared from a peat culture and introduced by spraying into a dry soil of neutral pH in the absence of any host plant, did not lose viability during a period of four weeks. The spray inoculation equipment was also used successfully in a field experiment to add water to the seedbed to aid in the germination of soybean seed sown into drying soil.
Response of pre-harvest drop of grapefruit on two rootstocks to 2,4-D, MCPA and gibberellic acid
Authors: Sarooshi RA
Published: March 2005

Several formulations, concentrations and timings of sprays of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxyacetic acid) were tested for their ability to reduce pre-harvest drop of late hanging Marsh grapefruit growing on rough lemon (Citrus jambheri) and trifoliata (Poncirus trifoliata) rootstocks at Dareton in south-western New South Wales. Gibberellic acid was also tested in several timing combinations with 2,4-D for its ability to improve the quality of late hanging fruit. On rough lemon the established standard treatment of 2,4-D at 20 ppm applied in mid-May was as good or better than all other treatments. On trifoliata this standard spray was again as effective as all others in preventing drop up to mid-November, but a similar spray applied in midJune was more effective from mid-November to mid-December. MCPA applied at 10 or 20 ppm in mid-May was not as effective as the standard spray. The best treatments reduced the average cumulative fruit drop, of 39% on trifoliata and 70% on rough lemon, by at least a half. When gibberellic acid at 10 ppm was added to the standard mid-May spray of 2,4-D, or when it followed it in mid June, it improved the colour and appearance and reduced the rind thickness and puffiness of late hanging fruit.
Methyl bromide and inorganic bromide residues in avocados after fumigation and storage
Authors: Singh G , Rippon LE , Gilbert WS
Published: March 2005

Methyl bromide and inorganic bromide residues were determined in hard green (preclimacteric) and ripe (climacteric) fruits of Fuerte and Hass cultivars of avocados at 0.02, 1, 2 and 5 d after fumigation with 32 g/m3 methyl bromide for 2 and 4 h at 20�C. Methyl bromide was readily detectable after 0.02 (immediately after aeration) and 1 d, but after 2 d residues were not detected except in green fruit of the Fuerte cultivar. Generally, residues did not exceed the 0.5 �g/g maximum residue limit recommended by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. Inorganic bromide residues in stored fruit were well within the National Health and Medical Research Council maximum residue limit of 75 �g/g. Fumigation for 4 h produced higher residues than for 2 h but the quantity was not proportional to time of exposure. Average skin thickness, oil and protein content were determined, and the effect of variety, maturity and compositional factors on bromide residues was determined. Fuerte, which has a higher oil content than Hass, absorbed more methyl bromide, suggesting that methyl bromide absorption in avocados depends on oil content rather than skin thickness or protein content. The relative proportion of absorbed methyl bromide that is converted to inorganic bromide during storage at ambient temperatures ranged from about 21-36% in Fuerte and 56-70% in Hass.
Comparative productivity of perennial and annual pastures under continuous grazing by sheep
Authors: Rogers AL , Biddiscombe EF , Barron RJW , Briegel DJ
Published: March 2005

The productivity of sheep grazing clover based pastures with and without sown perennial grasses was evaluated at two sites in the 500-550 mm rainfall region of south-western Australia. The grasses were Phalaris aquatica, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, and Festuca arundinacea (one site only). There were significant differences between the effects of the pastures on liveweight change in each year. The inclusion of perennial grasses tended to reduce liveweight loss during autumn and early winter, when the range of differences in weight change was commonly 4-6 kg/head. Most consistent results were obtained in the sheep grazing P. aquatica and F. arundinacea pastures; D. glomerata, L. perenne, and annual pastures were more variable between seasons and between sites. Significant differences were also found in wool production. Sheep grazing F. arundinacea and P. aquatica showed mean adjusted fleece weights 0.29-0.76 kg/head greater than those from sheep grazing annuals. At the end of the experiments, survival of sown grasses at the respective sites was 17 and 25 plants/m2 for P. aquatica, 43 and 29/m2 for D. glomerata, 27/m2 for F. arundinacea, and less than 1/m2 for L. perenne. The contribution of perennials to total herbage tended to decline with time. The results suggest that advantages in liveweight and wool production may be gained by the addition of some perennial grasses to the pastures of the region.
Correction - Seasonal changes in the proportion and quality of plant parts of nine Stylosanthes lines
Authors: Gardener CJ , Megarrity RG , McLeod MN
Published: March 2005

The distribution of dry matter between leaves, stems and inflorescences, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur concentration and in vitro digestibility of these parts were measured in uncut swards of nine accessions of seven Stylosanthes spp. grown in northern Queensland over 22 months. Despite above average rainfall in both dry seasons, which greatly reduced the normal moisture stress, only S. guianensis cv. Oxley retained a significant proportion of green leaf in the winter period. However, Oxley set little seed in either year. Plants of the three short-lived species S. hamata, S. humilis and S. subsericea died back to the crown at the end of each wet season, while adult plants of the strongly perennial shrubs S. viscosa, S. scabra and S. fruticosa shed most of their leaves by July. All accessions flowered in both years, and all, except Oxley, set a heavy seed crop by the second year. Some inflorescence was retained on the living stems of the perennial lines until October. This inflorescence had a nutritive value only just below that of young leaf, while the mature stem was low in nitrogen and digestibility in all accessions. The leaf and stem litter had a similar chemical composition to standing material but rapidly became mouldy. The two cultivars of S. humilis, Paterson and Gordon, and S. subsericea had significantly higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and digestibility than the other accessions. S. viscosa had significantly lower levels of all four attributes. The utilization of the various accessions for improving cattle nutrition is discussed.
Yield response of semi-dwarf rice varieties to applied nitrogen in New South Wales
Authors: Hartley RA , Milthorpe FL
Published: March 2005

Grain yields of two semi-dwarf varieties of rice were compared over a range of 0-225 kg applied nitrogen/ha in two seasons with yields of the tall varieties Calrose and Kulu, which were their major recurrent parents. Harvested yields of the semi-dwarfs increased over the entire range whereas those of Calrose and Kulu decreased above 100-150 kg nitrogen/ha. This appeared to be associated with a decrease in the number of panicleslm2 in the first season, and the inadequacy of the harvester to recover as much grain from lodged as unlodged crops in the second. Lodging was extensive in both experiments when the tall varieties received high applications of nitrogen, but was absent in the semidwarf varieties at all nitrogen levels. This appeared to influence the harvesting much more than the production of grain. However, it is suggested that other factors are also involved.The results indicated that the semi-dwarf character incorporated into current varieties could increase yields by about 1 t/ha with high nitrogen applications.
Herbage, grain and animal production from winter-grazed cereal crops
Authors: Dann PR , Axelsen A , Dear BS , Williams ER , Edwards CBH
Published: March 2005

In four experiments from 1975 to 1979, wheat or oat crops were grazed to a standard height of about 6 cm (and to 2 cm as well in 1975 and 1976) at various times during winter by sheep, and by cattle also in 1979. Nitrogen was applied to a portion of each plot at the end of grazing. The crops were then allowed to recover for grain production. Herbage and grain yields, grain yield components, grazing days and liveweight gain were recorded. In two years, grazing significantly depressed grain yield relative to that of the ungrazed control, by 25-79% depending on treatment. In all years more herbage and animal production were obtained from a July or August grazing than from a June grazing. The greatest number of sheep grazing days recorded was 3414/ha for hoggets grazing oats for August 1977. lsis wheat was generally inferior to oats for grazing and grain production. Nitrogen increased grain and hay yields in three years; this increase was not profitable for grain, but was profitable for hay in at least one year. The most profitable use of winter cereal crops depends strongly on the relative prices of meat, grain, and hay. Our data suggest relationships between animal, hay, and grain production, which may be useful for farmers wishing to decide probable best options for using grazing-grain crops.
The assessment of available manganese and aluminium status in acid soils under subterranean clover pastures of various ages
Authors: Bromfield SM , Cumming RW , David DJ , Williams CH
Published: March 2005

Three methods of estimating available manganese and aluminium status in acid soils were compared on three groups of soils from the Pejar district near Goulburn, New South Wales in which differences in pH had been brought about by different periods under subterranean clover pasture. Managanese extracted by 0.01 M calcium chloride gave the best correlation with the manganese concentration in rape and subterranean clover grown in pot culture, and provided the best index of available manganese. Soil solution manganese was inferior to CaCl2-extractable manganese and was more difficult to determine. Extraction with neutral ammonium acetate was unsatisfactory because this reagent overestimated available forms of manganese in soils containing high levels of reactive manganese. Aluminium extracted by 0.01 M CaCl2 was well correlated with exchangeable aluminium and with percentage aluminium saturation of the effective cation exchange capacity. None of the three measures of aluminium status alone was an effective index for predicting lime response by rape on these soils because both manganese and aluminium status were involved in this response. These three parameters were equally effective in multiple regressions for yield responses of rape to lime. Because of its relative ease of determination, CaCl2 extraction is preferred as a practical measure of aluminium status. Aluminium interacted with and increased the toxic effects of manganese in rape. Thus CaCl2-extractable manganese alone only provided a satisfactory index of a 'critical' value for manganese toxicity in rape for soils low in available aluminium. Subterranean clover was only slightly affected by aluminium and manganese levels in these soils, and manganese toxicity symptoms were only observed on soils containing 50 ppm or more CaCl2-extractable manganese. Nodulation failure in pots occurred in all soils with pH below 5.2 (water) or below 4.3 in CaCl2, whereas nodulation was normal when these soils were treated with CaCO3 to raise the pH to 5.8-6.0 (water). With one exception nodulation appeared adequate at field sites from which soils showing nodulation failure in the glasshouse had been collected.
Fertilizer strip tests for the identification of superphosphate responsive pastures
Authors: Dear BS , Smith AN
Published: March 2005

The ability of superphosphate strip tests to identify responsive pastures was evaluated at eight sites on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Five rates of superphosphate (0, 100,200, 300 and 600 kg/ha) were applied in 100 x 7 m strips in early spring and the pasture dry matter responses measured every three months with a capacitance probe. Herbage responses, ranging from 12 to 232% occurred in the following three months on seven of the eight pastures. The spring and autumn periods gave the largest quarterly responses. The variation in growth within strips observed was small enough to establish differences in dry matter between strips. On deficient sites all fertilizer rates produced measurable responses, however the 300 kg/ha rate was sufficient to give clear-cut responses at all the deficient sites. As the pasture responses observed in the strip tests were consistent with predicted responses by plant and soil analyses, it was concluded that they offer a practical alternative for use by farmers. Suggestions are made on the layout of fertilizer strips, and the interpretation of results.
Evaluation of gypsum and organic matter additions for improving soil structure in a radiata pine nursery at Benalla, Victoria
Authors: Flinn DW , Waugh RJ
Published: March 2005

A randomized block experiment was carried out in a radiata pine nursery at Benalla where the soil is weakly aggregated and slakes severely on wetting. Sunflower hulls or sudax ST6 hay or gypsum/dolomite were added during one cycle of a summer green crop, winter cover crop and a pine crop. Plots were also split for a deep ripping treatment. The aim was to improve soil conditions for the growth of pine seedlings. The addition of 170 t/ha of sunflower hulls reduced bulk density (P<0.01) and surface crust resistance (P< 0.05) and markedly increased infiltration capacity (P<0.01). Water-stable aggregation was not statistically affected by any of the treatments because the soil has a clay content of only 18%, though there was an encouraging trend of more water-stable aggregates within the size range 0.25-2 mm following the application of sunflower hulls. Germination of the pine crop was unaffected by treatments as the seed was covered with coarse sand. Seedling survival was low (range 41.1 -47.6%), due in part to saline conditions following fertilizer application. Early growth of seedlings was greater (P<0.05) where additional organic matter was incorporated, but differences between treatments were not statistically significant at harvest. We conclude that soil conditions can be improved for pine growth by adding a large quantity of organic matter, reducing cultivation and maintaining an intensive green cropping program.