bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some physiological aspects of growth and yield in wheat crops: a comparison of a semidwarf and a standard height cultivar
Authors: Walcott JJ , Laing DR
Published: March 2005

A field experiment showed the semidwarf cultivar Penjamo 62 to outyield the taller Australian cultivar Gamenya at nitrogen levels up to 896 kg N ha-1. This was attributed primarily to a faster rate of grain growth particularly in the later stages. Lodging resistance of Penjamo 62 accounted for only 16-58 per cent of the differences observed at the lower nitrogen levels. Although these two cultivars showed only small differences in both photosynthesis and in the duration of photosynthetic activity of microplots in the greenhouse, large differences in the efficiency of utilization of post-anthesis photosynthesis for grain production were inferred from growth analysis. Moreover, grain growth of Penjamo 62 was far more sensitive to a post-anthesis drought than that of Gamenya, even though similar levels of water deficit and reductions in photosynthesis were recorded in microplots of both cultivars.
Distribution of plant parasitic nematodes in South Australian vineyards
Authors: Stirling GR
Published: March 2005

Vineyards in all five of South Australia's grapegrowing districts were surveyed for plant parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) occurrcd in four districts, and were present in almost all vineyards with sandy soil in the Riverland, Barossa Valley and Central districts. Four species (M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica) were identified. Citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans) was wide-spread in Riverland vineyards, and isolated infestations were found in other districts. Other plant parasitic nematode genera found during the survey were Helicotylenchus, Macroposthonia, Paratrichodorus, Paratylenchus, Prat ylenchus, Tylenchorh ynchus and Xiphinema.
Nitrogen supplementation of ruminants grazing native pastures in New England, New South Wales
Authors: Langlands JP , Bowles JE
Published: March 2005

The potential for nitrogen (N) supplementation of ruminants grazing native pastures in late winter was examined in two experiments. In experiment 1 the N contents of the diet selected by unsupplemented sheep and cattle, and by cattle receiving a supplement of linseed meal were determined. Dietary composition was not affected by supplementation but sheep selected a diet averaging 1.7 gN/100 g OM which was significantly greater than the corresponding value of 0.96 gN/100 g OM for cattle. Differences in dietary composition between sheep and cattle were also evident in experiment 2 and were confirmed by analysis of rumen liquor. It was concluded that sheep would not respond to non-protein N supplementation but that cattle might be marginally N deficient. In experiment 2 groups of heifers grazing native pasture were offered supplements of either molassesurea containing 2.54 gN/100 g OM, molasses-urea containing 7.66 gN/100 g OM, linseed meal containing 6.64 gN/100 g OM, or linseed meal treated with formaldehyde. Liveweight changes relative to an unsupplemented group were determined, and individual consumptions of supplement were measured using tritiated water. All heifers lost weight and the rate of loss was significantly greater in unsupplemented heifers than in those receiving supplement. Differences between supplemented groups were not significant after liveweight losses had been adjusted to equal energy intakes using covariance analysis.
The feeding value of different classes of wheat for grower finisher pigs
Authors: King RH
Published: March 2005

A factorial experiment involving two levels of feeding (restricted and ad libitum) and four classes of wheat, these being Australian standard white wheat (ASW), feed wheat damaged by rust (FR), general purpose wheat damaged by weather (GPW) and general purpose wheat damaged by rust (GPR), was carried out to study the effects of different classes of wheats on the growth performance and carcase quality of pigs between 23 and 70 kg liveweight. The digestible energy (DE) contents (+SD) of the wheats, on an air basis were 14.8 (+0.20), 14.8 (+0.20), 14.9 (+0.22) and 14.3 (+0.12) MJ kg-1 for ASW, FR, GPW and GPR, respectively. Wheat class did not affect feed intake of pigs or cause variation in carcase quality. However, pigs fed diets containing GPR or FR wheats did not perform as well as pigs fed diets based on GPW or ASW wheat. This lower growth performance was due to the lower DE content of GPR wheat and the reduced digestibility of protein in both GBR and FR wheats. Pigs fed ad libitum grew faster, had fatter carcases and over the weight range 45 to 70 kg required more feed per unit liveweight gain than pigs fed in restricted amounts.
Effect of source of supplemental protein and calcium on the phosphorus requirements of broiler chicks in cages
Authors: Karunajeewa H
Published: March 2005

In two experiments the phosphorus requirement of broiler chicks in cages was studied using soybean meal and peanut meal as alternative protein supplements, and ground dolomitic limestone and precipitated calcium carbonate as alternative calcium supplements. The broiler chicks used in these experiments survived well on diets containing only 0.33-0.37 per cent plant phosphorus. The addition of 0.1 5 per cent inorganic phosphorus to such diets significantly improved liveweight gain and efficiency of feed conversion. Tibia ash content increased with each addition of inorganic phosphorus. The plant-protein supplements had no differential effects on the phosphorus requirement of the broiler chicks. Ground dolomitic limestone as compared with precipitated calcium carbonate depressed liveweight gain and tibia ash content. The optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus for maximum growth and tibia ash content were 0.6 and 0.57 per cent of the diet, respectively. Under the conditions of these experiments, the requirement of total phosphorus for broiler chicks during the first four weeks of life was between 0.57 and 0.62 per cent of the diet. Of this total phosphorus requirement, about 0.15 to 0.20 per cent should be in the inorganic form.
Effect of some feed additives on the performance of broiler chicks fed diets containing high levels of meat and bone meal
Authors: Karunajeewa H
Published: March 2005

Two experiments, each of five weeks duration, were conducted to determine the effects of vitamin D3, EDTA, potassium oxalate, magnesium oxide and potassium sulphate on the performance of broiler chicks given diets containing a high level of meat and bone meal. The addition of 0.095 per cent EDTA or 0.063 per cent EDTA plus 0.1 25 per cent magnesium oxide or 0.063 per cent potassium oxalate improved efficiency of feed conversion, and 0.188 per cent potassium sulphate improved both liveweight gain and efficiency of feed conversion, of chicks fed diets with a high level of meat and bone meal. Magnesium oxide, either independently or in combination with potassium oxalate, had no effect on chick performance. Non-supplementation of meat and bone meal based diets with vitamin D3 caused a depression in growth, feed intake, efficiency of feed conversion, tibia weight and tibia ash content. These adverse effects were aggravated by the addition of 0.25 per cent EDTA to such a diet.
The metabolizable energy content for the chicken of maize and sorghum grain hybrids grown at several geographical regions
Authors: Connor JK , Neill AR , Barram KM
Published: March 2005

Metabolizable energy assays using Australorp chickens were carried out on sorghum and maize hybrids grown in different regions in Queensland and harvested in different years. Relationships between metabolizable energy and the chemical composition of the grains were examined. Some comparisons also were made between the energy metabolized by different strains of chickens. The mean nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy values and standard deviations for all maize and sorghum grains were 3770 � 154 (n = 48) and 3750 � 239 (n = 39) kcal per kg dry matter, respectively. There were significant differences in metabolizable energy values between locations and years of harvest for both grains. Significant differences were seen between sorghum hybrids, but not between maize hybrids. The interactions, hybrid x region and hybrid x year, also were significant for sorghum. Correlations between metabolizable energy and chemical composition of the grains were not sufficiently high to enable metabolizable energy to be predicted with the accuracy necessary for practical application. Chickens from a White Leghorn and two commercial broiler strains gave similar metabolizable energy values to those obtained with the Australorp chickens.
The nutritive value of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) leaf and the use of pelleted leaf in rations high or low in energy
Authors: Hennessy DW , Williamson PJ
Published: March 2005

The nutritive value of leaf material cut from a highly fertilized kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clan destinum) sward was assessed with penned sheep in a 6 x 6 latin square design over 21 8 days. Estimates of the nutritive value were made for the dried leaf, leaf with a mineral supplement, leaf milled and pelleted and for rations that contained the pellets and either oaten chaff or grain. The leaf had an organic matter digestibility (OMD) of 63.5 per cent and contained 3.5 per cent nitrogen (N). Milling and pelleting the leaf did not significantly affect those values although OMD was lower (60.5 per cent), voluntary intake higher (by 16 per cent) and the rate of da ily live mass gain by sheep (1 17 g day-1) increased threefold, compared with those on the unmilled leaf ration. All sheep had net retentions of N (range 2.7-10.1 g day-1 ; P < 0.01). The rate of wool growth did not differ significantly between sheep on the rations whereas the rate of live mass change was highest for sheep on pellets : grain (60 : 40) (183 g day-1) and lowest for sheep on pellets : chaff (60 : 40) (3 g day-1; P < 0.01).
Control of apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes) in maize on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland
Authors: Hawton D
Published: March 2005

On the Atherton Tableland, Queensland, apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes) is a problem weed in maize. The competitive effects of N, physalodes, the effectiveness of various control measures and the residual life of atrazine (2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-isopropylamino-I ,3,5-triazine) were investigated in three experiments each repeated over two seasons. In 1973 (a late season) populations of N. physalodes as low as 4.7 m-2 reduced yields by about 35 per cent and would have caused harvester impedance in a commercial situation. In 1973-74 (an early season) N. physalodes had less effect on yield but would still have impeded harvesting. In 1973 atrazine used pre-emergence at 2.24 kg a.i. ha-1 was sufficient for satisfactory weed control. During 1973-74 when weed growth was prolonged after crop ripening by wet weather a split application of atrazine applied at 1 .12 kg a.i, ha-1 pre-emergence followed six weeks later by a further 1.12 kg a.i. ha-1 was better in controlling weeds at harvest than the single pre-emergence application. Under the conditions of these experiments atrazine used at the above rates did not cause damage to oats planted immediately after the maize harvest.
Inorganic bromide residue in bananas, bell capsicums (sweet peppers), cherries and apples following fumigation with ethylene dibromide and methyl bromide
Authors: Singh G , Rippon LE , Gilbert WS , Wild BL
Published: March 2005

Inorganic bromide residues were evaluated from fumigation schedules available in Australia for use against Queensland fruit fly, Dacus tryoni (Froggatt) and light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) in fruit and vegetables. Capsicums were fumigated for two hours at 20�C with 22 g m-3 ethylene dibromide (EDB). Bromide residues (40-45 �g g-1) were in excess of the maximum residue limit of 10 �g g-1 of the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S.F.D.A.) and the current 20 �g g-1 recommendation of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (N.H.M.R.C.). Bananas were fumigated with dosages of 10, 12 and 14 g m-3 EDB for two hours at 20�C. Bromide residues increased with increasing dosages, and ranged from 11.7 to 15.6 �g g-1. Residues were within the recommended 20 �g g-1 limit of the N.H.M.R.C., but exceeded the 10 �g g-1 limit of the U.S.F.D.A. Cherries were fumigated for two hours at 15�C with 24 and 48 g m-3 methyl bromide (MB). Bromide residues (up to 8 �g g-1) were well within the 20 �g g-1 N.H.M.R.C. and U.S.F.D.A. limits. Apples were fumigated for two hours at 15�C with 24 g MB m-3 and at 7�C with 32 g MB m-3. Residues approximated or were less than the 5 �g g-1 limit of the U.S.F.D.A. and considerably lower than the 20 �g g-1 N.H.M.R.C. recommendation.
Use of a soil moisture model and risk analysis to predict the optimum time for the aerial sowing of pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales
Authors: Dowling PM , Smith RCG
Published: March 2005

The objective of this study was to determine the time of year that maximized establishment and . minimized the risk of failure in aerial sowing of pasture seed on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. This was achieved by relating a set of monthly measurements of establishment spanning two years to mean soil moisture, predicted by a water balance model for the six-week period following sowing. From this relationship, establishment was simulated for 61 years using historical rainfall data to estimate probability density functions of establishment for each week of the year. From these functions it was concluded that maximum establishment with minimum risk can be expected from sowing in the June-July period. For perennial species plant survival over the first summer is of more practical importance than per cent establishment. Our data on plant survival, although not presented, indicated a close relationship existed between establishment and survival and supported the conclusion that the optimal time for oversowing is June-July.
Influence of different sources of nitrogen fertilizer on the value of soil nitrogen tests
Authors: Osborne GJ , Storrier RR
Published: March 2005

This paper examines the influence of nitrogen fertilizer form on the predictive ability of 12 soil nitrogen indices in a glasshouse study using ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as the test crop with six representative soils from southern New South Wales.The nitrogen fertilizers were added in the form of urea, ammonium sulphate and sodium nitrate. Total soil nitrogen and organic carbon were not satisfactory tests for predicting responses in dry matter and nitrogen uptake for the three forms of nitrogen. Total nitrogen was only significantly related to yield with urea (coefficient of determination of 75 per cent). Acid hydrolysis nitrogen was shown to be a useful test when relating plant yield response and nitrogen uptake with the urea form (coefficients of determination of 80 and 77 per cent, respectively). The anaerobic incubation test showed a significant relationship with plant yield with coefficients of determination of 80, 57 and 66 per cent for the urea, ammonium sulphate and sodium nitrate fertilizer forms respectively. Only with urea was this test significantly related (coefficient of determination of 68 per cent) to nitrogen uptake. The rapidly distillable nitrogen and the magnesium oxide distillable tests proved to be satisfactory for predicting the response of dry matter yield to the three forms of nitrogen. Coefficients of determination of 72 to 88 per cent were common. The magnesium oxide distillable test was also significantly related to nitrogen uptake with coefficients of determination of 78 to 85 per cent for the three forms of nitrogen. The data presented indicate that although rapid and single tests can give good predictions of yield and/or nitrogen uptake, care is needed in interpreting results where only one form of nitrogen is used.
The influence of row spacing and plant population on the effect of weed competition in soybeans
Authors: Felton WL
Published: March 2005

An experiment was done to determine the reduction in yield attributable to weed competition when soybeans were grown in 25,50,75 and 100 cm rows and within-row densities of 10, 20 and 40 plants m-1. There was no effect of weeds on yield when soybeans were grown in 25 cm rows but a 20 per cent decrease with 50 cm rows, 26 per cent with 75 cm rows and 37 per cent with 100 cm rows. Within-row density had no effect but there was a trend towards an interaction between within-row density and the presence or absence of weeds. Narrow rows and higher within-row densities increased the height of the bottom pod, lodging and the number of pods m-2 but decreased stem diameter, number of pods per plant and the yield per plant. Narrow rows decreased yield per pod and seeds per pod. There was a trend, which was not significant (P < 0.05), towards reduced yield per pod and seeds per pod with higher within-row densities. Weed competition reduced stem diameter, pods per plant, pods m-2 and yield per plant. Weeds had no effect on the height of the bottom pod, yield per pod and seeds per pod. Soybean grain weight was not changed by row spacing, row density or weed competition.
Genetic improvement of meat sheep. 3. Heritability of weaning weight of Dorset and Border Leicester sheep
Authors: Gregory IP , Roberts EM , James JW
Published: March 2005

The heritability of weaning weight, uncorrected and corrected by three different methods has been estimated from several Dorset properties and one Border Leicester property. The estimates varied greatly over properties. The half-sib heritabilities of uncorrected weaning weight exceeded those of all corrected weights in all properties but one and the reason was found to be non-random use of sires over the joining period. The pooled half-sib heritabilities of uncorrected weaning weight and weaning weight corrected by average daily gain, pooled regression and least squares were 0.27, 0.11, 0.15 and 0.18 respectively for the Dorsets and the corresponding estimates for the Border Leicester were 0.46, 0.20, 0.15 and 0.16 respectively. In the Dorsets the pooled heritabilities calculated by dam-offspring regression were 0.04, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.10 for uncorrecred weaning weight and weaning weight corrected by average daily gain, pooled regression and least squares respectively. There was no significant difference between the heritabilities of weaning weight corrected by least squares or pooled regression but the heritability of weaning weight corrected by least squares significantly exceeded that of weaning weight corrected by average daily gain.
Weeds in grain-lupins. 1. The effect of weeds on grain-lupin yields
Authors: Allen JM
Published: March 2005

Narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) were grown at two densities in weed free conditions and with different levels of either capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) or annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum). Capeweed that germinated six weeks before the lupins prevented grain production. Germinated with the lupins, 30 capeweed plants m-2 reduced grain yields by 20 per cent compared with 10 capeweed plants m-2, which was not significantly different from the weed free control. Thirty capeweed plants m-2 that germinated six weeks after the lupins did not reduce grain yields. Ryegrass reduced grain yields by 70 per cent when it germinated six weeks before the lupins. Germinated with the lupins, 90 ryegrass plants m-2 reduced grain yields by 47 per cent compared with the weed free control. Ninety ryegrass plants m-2 that germinated six weeks after the lupins did not reduce grain yield.
Narrow row cotton in the Namoi valley. 1. Growth, yield and quality of four cultivars
Authors: Constable GA
Published: March 2005

Field experiments were done in three successive seasons to determine the effects of cultivar and row spacing on growth, yield and quality of cotton. Narrow rows had a higher early season LAI than wide rows, but differences in LAI between row spacings disappeared by the peak flowering stage. Hopicala and Deltapine 16 had a higher LAI than Riverina Poplar and Super Okra M8. Narrow rows produced 28 per cent more fruiting points than wide rows, but this was not reflected as a consistent increase in yield, as fruit shedding was greater and boll size was smaller in narrow rows than in wide rows. Narrow rows yielded 44 per cent more than wide rows in 1972-73 but 7 per cent less in 1973-74 and 1 per cent less in 1974-75. Earlier crop maturity was obtained with narrow rows in all cultivars in 1974-75 and Hopicala only in 1972-73. Deltapine 16 and Super Okra M8 had the highest average yield at both row spacings, with Super Okra M8 having the highest yield at the first pick. No fibre properties were consistently affected by row spacing. Cultivar differences were as expected with the early maturing cultivar Riverina Poplar having the shortest fibres and the later maturing cultivar Hopicala having the greatest fibre strength.
Narrow row cotton in the Namoi valley. 2. Plant population and row spacing
Authors: Constable GA
Published: March 2005

Field experiments in three seasons examined the effects of plant population and row spacing on the yield of two cotton cultivars. For the early maturing cultivar, Riverina Poplar, 36 cm rows yielded 18 per cent more than 100 cm rows with no additional benefit being obtained from 18 cm rows. The medium maturing commercial cultivar, Deltapine 16, had the same average yield at all row spacings. The effect of plant population on yield was significant in all row spacings, with populations above 40 plants m-2 in 18 cm rows, above 30 plants m-2 in 36 cm rows, and above 13 plants m-2 in 100 cm rows yielding less. In all experiments, narrow rows and high plant populations had smaller bolls, more barren plants and smaller plants than wide rows and low plant populations. At low yield levels, Riverina Poplar in narrow rows was superior to wide rows and to Deltapine 16 in any row spacing. At high yield levels, Deltapine 16 was superior, particularly in wide rows
Explanation of the failure of a commercial scale application of benomyl to protect pruned apricot trees against Eutypa dieback disease
Authors: Carter MV , Price TV
Published: March 2005

Application of 0.56 kg benomyl per ha by turbomist sprayer to pruned apricot trees resulted in a slight reduction (P<0.05) in their susceptibility to infection from Eutypa armeniacae ascospores introduced on day 0, but no significant reduction occurred when spores were introduced three or more days later. A majority of the pruned sites yielded less than 3 �g per cm2 of extractable MBC 1 hour after spraying. This finding explains the discrepancy between the high level of protection obtained when the sapwood is saturated by a liberal application of benomyl to each pruned site and the lack of protection in other experiments where the chemical was applied to entire trees by conventional commercial spraying methods.
A survey of reproductive performance in herds of beef cattle from 13 properties in Victoria
Authors: Baharin K , Beilharz RG
Published: March 2005

An analysis of the reproductive, performance of beef cattle based on 5840 records of performance from thirteen properties in Victoria was made. Traits analysed included calving rate, twinning rate, mortality of calves, age at first calving interval. When all data were pooled, mean age at first calving was 863.5 days, calving interval 361 days, calving rate 88.7 per cent, mortality rate at birth of the calves 4.3 per cent, pre-weaning mortality 1.5 per cent, post-weaning mortality 0.3 per cent and twinning rate 1.5 per cent. Wide variation in reproductive performance was observed between properties. As found in other studies, age of dam was the main factor affecting reproductive performance and adjustments to take account of this variation are necessary when comparing the performance of different animals.
Effect of inoculation method on rhizobium survival and plant nodulation under adverse conditions
Authors: Philpotts H
Published: March 2005

In a series of experiments, different inoculation methods applied to seeds of Glycine wightii were compared for their effect on survival of rhizobia (Rhizobium sp.) under various conditions: high temperature with and without high relative humidity, exposure to sunlight, and contact with superphosphate. Seeds were inoculated with peat inoculum in gum arabic (gum treatment), in gum arabic plus a coating of lime or rock phosphate, or with peat inoculum in water (slurry). When subjected to 50�C for eight hours a day, survival of the cowpea-type Rhizobium strain CB756 was poorer at 75 per cent relative humidity than at 40 per cent. CB756 survived better than the clover strain TA1 under high temperature and high relative humidity, and neither lime nor phosphate pelleting increased survival of the two strains over the gum treatment. Poorest survival was with phosphate for TA1 and lime for CB756. When exposed to sunlight, numbers of CB756 fell most rapidly in the gum treatment but, after a longer period in a glasshouse at about 30�C, survival was poorest in the slurry treatment. When mixed with superphosphate, lime pelleting resulted in best survival of both strains. In pot experiments, lime pelleting resulted in a higher percentage of nodulated plants and higher plant weights of Trifolium subterraneum and Glycine wightii, the advantage being greatest when low numbers of rhizobia were on the seed at sowing.
Rearing dairy replacements on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland. II. Effect of number of calves per cow and grain supplementation
Authors: Moss RJ
Published: March 2005

Ninety-six calves born between October 1974 and January 1975 were either a. bucket fed once daily on a commercial milk replacer, or multiple suckled once daily at b. four or c. five calves cow-1. Nurse cows suckled either two or three calves in the morning and the remaining two calves in the afternoon. Calves were supplemented with nil or ad libitum hammermilled maize. Weaning was at eight weeks of age. Calves in treatments a., b. and c. averaged 0,39, 0.45 and 0.38 kg liveweight gain calf-1 day-1. Calves suckled at four per cow gained significantly more weight than other calves (P < 0.05). Suckling three rather than two calves in the mornings reduced liveweight gain of calves from 0.50 to 0.36 kg day-1 (P < 0.01). Growth rates of afternoon suckled calves were 0.42 and 0.41 kg day-1 for calves reared at four and five calves cow-1 respectively. Maize supplementation increased liveweight gain of calves from 0.36 to 0.45 kg calf-1 day-1 (P < 0.01 ). The interaction of supplement level and rearing system was not significant. The relevance of these results to the local dairy industry is discussed.
Correction - Rearing dairy replacements on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland. II. Effect of number of calves per cow and grain supplementation
Authors: Moss RJ
Published: March 2005

Ninety-six calves born between October 1974 and January 1975 were either a. bucket fed once daily on a commercial milk replacer, or multiple suckled once daily at b. four or c. five calves cow-1. Nurse cows suckled either two or three calves in the morning and the remaining two calves in the afternoon. Calves were supplemented with nil or ad libitum hammermilled maize. Weaning was at eight weeks of age. Calves in treatments a., b. and c. averaged 0,39, 0.45 and 0.38 kg liveweight gain calf-1 day-1. Calves suckled at four per cow gained significantly more weight than other calves (P < 0.05). Suckling three rather than two calves in the mornings reduced liveweight gain of calves from 0.50 to 0.36 kg day-1 (P < 0.01). Growth rates of afternoon suckled calves were 0.42 and 0.41 kg day-1 for calves reared at four and five calves cow-1 respectively. Maize supplementation increased liveweight gain of calves from 0.36 to 0.45 kg calf-1 day-1 (P < 0.01 ). The interaction of supplement level and rearing system was not significant. The relevance of these results to the local dairy industry is discussed.
Residues of chlordimeform in bovine tissues and milk following application by a handspray
Authors: Palmer WA , Dingle JHP , Heath AB
Published: March 2005

Three experiments were conducted to determine the concentrations of residues of chlordimeform in tissues and milk of cattle after spray application to control cattle tick. Subcutaneous fat, sampled by biopsy from animals sprayed with 0.45 per cent (w/v), 0.15 per cent and 0.05 per cent chlordimeform (buffered) contained maximum residues of chlordimeform (2.88 mg kg-1, 0.46 mg kg-1 and 0.1 5 mg kg-1 respectively) one day after treatment. The half life for the rate of disappearance of these residues was independent of the initial residue level and was calculated as 2.46 days. Sampling of six tissues, 24 hours after spraying with chlordimeform (buffered) showed that chlordimeform was found mainly in fat. Smaller concentrations were found in kidney, muscle and liver tissue. Concentrations of 0.45 per cent, 0.15 per cent and 0.05 per cent chlordimeform (buffered) produced residues of 1.42 mg kg-1, 0.28 mg kg-1 and 0.03 mg kg-1 respectively in the whole milk of lactating cows. A half life of 0.45 day was calculated for the rate of disappearance of chlordimeform from the milk.
Fattening systems for sheep in western Victoria. 1. The influence of hay quality and of proportion of oats in the ration on the performance of Corriedale wethers
Authors: Gillespie DS , McLaughlin JW
Published: March 2005

An experiment at Hamilton in western Victoria from June to October 1972 examined the feasibility of fattening two-year-old Corriedale wethers from 30 to 50 kg liveweight when fed simple rations in feedlots. Using a factorial design, treatments compared were mid-season or late cut pasture hay offered ad libitum and oat grain fed at 0, 0.25, 0.50 kg head-1 day-1 or ad libitum. Two additional groups were set stocked on green pasture; one of them was offered oat grain ad libitum. Performance of sheep in the feedlot (intake, liveweight and carcase gain, feed conversion and wool production) was influenced by hay type and level of oat feeding. Liveweight gain over the period of feeding increased linearly until oats comprised about 50 per cent of the daily dry matter intake, but the highest liveweight gain in the feedlot (127 g day-1) occurred when sheep were given a ration consisting of 25 per cent mid-season hay and 75 per cent oats. Sheep on pasture gained at an average of 146 g day-1. Irrespective of composition of the ration, liveweight gain increased by 20 g day1, carcase weight by 15 g day-1 and wool by 1.7 g day -1 for each additional MJ of metabolizable energy intake.
Variation in the responses of rapeseed (Brassica napus and B. campestris) cultivars to blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) infection
Authors: Thurling N , Venn LA
Published: March 2005

The responses of 53 cultivars of the rapeseed species Brassica napus and Brassica campestris to infection by three different populations of the blackleg fungus, Leptosphaeria maculans, were examined in a controlled environment. Significant variation in disease development was observed between cultivars as well as between fungal populations which had been derived from diseased stubble collected at widely separated sites in Western Australia. A large proportion of the cultivars tested were either susceptible or only slightly resistant to infection by each of the three fungal populations whereas only one cultivar, Zollerngold, was highly resistant to all fungal populations. Several other cultivars, however, were resistant to one population and susceptible or slightly resistant to the other two. In these cases, marked interactions between host and parasite were evident, some cultivars being substantially more resistant than others to infection by spores from a particular population.
The grain yield of winter-grazed crops
Authors: Dann PR , Axelsen A , Edwards CBH
Published: March 2005

In six years of experiments various grazing treatments were applied to a range of crops and subsequent grain yields measured. Spring rapes, lupins and peas showed little potential for dual purpose grazing/grain use, generally producing less herbage and grain than wheat, oats, barley and rye. Winter rape performed as well as barley and wheat in one year. Oats and barley were overall better than wheat which was generally better than rye. Comparison of late-sown grain-only crops with early sown grazed ones indicated that with some crops in some years the dual-purpose enterprise was the more profitable. The experiments suggested that the most biologically profitable combination of herbage and grain production would be obtained by delaying grazing until about 4t of crop dry matter per ha were available in winter.
Rhizopus oryzae as a causal agent of a head rot of sunflowers in Queensland
Authors: Middleton KJ
Published: March 2005

The causal agent of a common head rot of sunflowers in Queensland was isolated and identified as Rhizopus oryzae. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the environmental and host conditions suitable for disease development, and control of the disease by the use of fungicides. The disease occurs in wound inoculated plants when atmospheric humidity is high. Dicloran is capable of restricting established infection, but wound inoculations made after the application of the fungicide avoid the protective barrier and are uninfluenced by it. The possible use of chemicals to control the disease is discussed.
The use of a medicated molasses block to control bloat
Authors: Graham CA , Pern C , Linehan KL
Published: March 2005

Seven grazing experiments were undertaken on bloat inducing pastures during 1973 and 1974 in which cattle were allocated to two groups on the basis of bloat susceptibility. One group received a molasses block containing 10 per cent or 15 per cent alcohol ethoxylate ('Teric' 12A23B), and the second group received either no supplement or a placebo block or hay treated with mineral oil. In two trials where moderate to severe bloat conditions occurred, supplementation with medicated blocks significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the frequency of bloating, and in one of these trials the severity of bloating was also significantly reduced (P < 0.01). In the remaining trials, where mild bloat conditions prevailed, the medicated blocks had no significant effect in reducing bloat frequency.
Controlled feeding of the layer. 1. Restriction of the lysine and total feed intake of the pullet in the starter, grower and developer phases
Authors: Connor JK , Fuelling DE , Barram KM
Published: March 2005

The performance of pullets either fed lysine deficient diets or restricted in total feed intake in their starter (0-6 weeks), grower (6-1 2 weeks) or developer (1 2-20 weeks) phases or throughout their rearing period (0-20 weeks) were compared in separate experiments. Two levels of severity of each type of restriction were examined. No restriction treatment significantly improved the efficiency of conversion of feed to egg either measured on a chronological basis (0-68 weeks) or a physiological age basis (40 weeks from first egg). Both types of restriction applied in the starter phase tended to reduce egg size. Severe restriction throughout rearing greatly increased rearing period mortality.
Nutrient requirements of Stylosanthes guianensis pastures on a euchrozem in north Queensland
Authors: Miller CP , Jones RK
Published: March 2005

The nutrient status and fertilizer requirements of a euchrozem representing an extensive area of soils derived from basalt were examined in three field experiments in northern Queensland. Stylosanthes guianensis responded strongly to sulphur but not to phosphorus or any other element. With the addition of 20 kg S ha-1, annual pasture yields exceeded 10,000 kg ha-1 with clearing and cultivation and 8000 kg ha-1 without clearing or cultivation. Without added sulphur, annual yields were 4500 kg and 1200 kg ha-1 respectively. It is suggested that similar responses will be widespread on these soils. In established stylo, yields above 90 per cent of maximum coincided with N/S ratios below 17.5. Adequate legume establishment on these soils required either cultivation or up to 10 kg S ha-1. Although maintenance requirements need to be defined under grazing, there is evidence that the residual value of added sulphur is considerable.
The residual effect of molybdenum fertilizer on a krasnozem on basalt at Maleny, south-east Queensland
Authors: Kerridge PC , White RE
Published: March 2005

Five rates of molybdenum as molybdenum trioxide or calcium molybdate were applied, in three successive years, to a white clover pasture on a krasnozem on basalt, under an average annual rainfall of 1650 mm annum-1. Molybdenum deficiency was corrected initially by the lowest rate of 37 g Mo ha-1. The effectiveness of the lower rates (37 and 75 g Mo ha-1) declined with time, but an application of 150 g Mo ha-1 remained 90 per cent effective after five years.
Revegetation of alumina refinery wastes. 2. Glasshouse experiments
Authors: Meecham JR , Bell LC
Published: March 2005

In the absence of chemical limitations, the emergence and yield of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) on a 20 per cent fly ash : 80 per cent red sand mix were higher than those on fly ash or red sand alone or on the other mixes investigated. The poor emergence and yield in the red sand was attributed to the medium's low available water capacity and low unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Mixtures containing from 40 per cent to 100 per cent fly ash were characterized by very low air contents at field capacity and were susceptible to water-logging. The extremely poor emergence and low yields observed in the mixtures containing 40 per cent and 60 per cent fly ash were considered to be due to high mechanical resistance to root ramification in addition to lack of aeration. In the absence of the limitations of excess salinity, alkalinity and sodicity, deficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus were the major restrictions to the growth of Rhodes grass on fly ash, red sand and a 20 per cent fly ash : 80 per cent red sand mix. Manganese was also limiting in red sand, and boron was slightly deficient in fly ash, but these deficiencies were not present in the ash : sand mix. In a nitrogen (NH4NO3) by phosphorus (Ca(H2PO4)2.H2O) interaction trial on fly ash and red sand, maximum yields of Rhodes grass were obtained with 100 kg N ha-1 (red sand) to 200 kg N ha-1 (fly ash) and 400 kg P ha-1. The severe yield depression which occurred at nitrogen rates greater than 200 kg ha-1 on both wastes was attributed to NH4+ toxicity aggravated by the dearth of nitrifying bacteria and the wastes' low cation exchange capacities.
Eye cancer and circumocular pigmentation in Bos taurus, Bos indicus and crossbred cattle
Authors: Nishimura H , Frisch JE
Published: March 2005

The proportion of purebred Bos indicus, and both Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred cows containing Hereford blood, that were culled for eye cancer was recorded from 1964 to 1975. Circumocular pigmentation was recorded from 1970 to 1972. The incidence of the disease and the proportion of eyes with unpigmented or partially pigmented circumocular regions were significantly higher in the Bos taurus breed than in the Bos indicus based breeds. Thus a marked reduction or complete elimination of eye cancer could be achieved by crossing the Bos indicus breeds, particularly the Africander, over the Hereford to produce crosses containing one half Hereford or less.
Effect of oat supplementation on the liveweight gain and carcase characteristics of yearling Friesian steers grazed on green pasture in western Victoria
Authors: Morgan JHL , Ronan GS
Published: March 2005

Friesian steers aged nine months were set stocked on pasture from May 28 to November 29 at 2.5 and 5.0 steers ha-1 and were supplemented with oats at four levels-nil, 1.8, 3.6 kg steer-1 day-1 and ad libitum. Growth responses to oat supplementation were obtained at both stocking rates in winter but only at 5.0 steers ha-1 in spring. Average daily gains (kg day-1) during the entire six months of the experiment were, at the four oat feeding levels, respectively: 0.67, 0.72, 0.94 and 0.92 at 2.5 steers ha-1 and 0.1 8, 0.35, 0.56 and 0.79 at 5.0 steers ha-1. A mean conversion rate of 10.1 kg of additional liveweight gain per 100 kg of oats consumed was obtained when the spring values for steers stocked at 2.5 ha-l were omitted. Substitution in the intake of grain and pasture was apparent, as indicated by differences in herbage availability, in all treatments except in steers stocked at 5.0 ha-1and supplemented with oats at 1.8 and 3.6 kg day-1. Because of their 'lanky' conformation, the carcases were downgraded by the meatworks even though they all had high muscle contents and some had up to 7 mm of backfat at the 10th rib.
Effects of changing daylength pattern around the mating period on the mating and lambing performance of Border Leicester-Merino cross ewes
Authors: Dunstan EA
Published: March 2005

In three experiments over two years at Kybybolite, South Australia, Border Leicester x Merino ewes were subjected to treatments in which the effects of natural daylength (C) around mating in midsummer were compared with decreasing long daylength (DL), decreasing short daylength (DS) or a constant daylength of ten hours for 6, 3 or 1 week (Const, 6, Const. 3 and Const. 1) before mating. The DS treatment increased the number of lambs born per ewe from 1.34 to 1.56 and from 1.38 to 1.80 in two experiments with aged ewes. This increase was due to a rise in the proportion of multiple births from 37 out of 92 to 62 out of 94, and from 25 out of 49 births to 43 out of 52, respectively. The most effective treatment for 1 1/2-year-old maiden ewes was Const. 3. This treatment increased the proportion of multiple births from 19 out of 52 births to 38 out of 58, and decreased the number of ewes not lambing from 8 out of 60 to 2 out of 60. Two other short daylength treatments significantly decreased the number of ewes not lambing. Treatments were designed so that they could be readily adapted to commercial practice.
A comparison of methods for determining the digestibility of rations for sheep
Authors: Nik-Khah A , Beard J
Published: March 2005

The dry matter digestibilities (DMDs) of three sheep rations, namely hay, hay and pelleted concentrates and the pellets only were determined in vivo, by an in vitro technique and four modifications to it, and by using a summative equation. The in vivo DMDs were 57.2,63.2 and 71 .1 per cent for the hay, hay and pellets, and pellets respectively. The basic in vitro two stage technique over-estimated these by 5.1, 4.8 and 6.5 units respectively. The DMDs of the modifications to the basic in vitro technique did not differ from those resulting from the basic procedure except in one instance where the in vitro DMD of hay (57.9) was significantly lower (P < 0.01). The summative equation gave values that were 3.5, 2.5 and 3.7 units greater than the in vivo DMDs.
Effect of nutrition of ewe weaners on production in the first adult year
Authors: Bottomley GA , Reid RND , Howe RR
Published: March 2005

Three groups of 135 ewe weaners were grazed for twelve months following weaning in December at high, medium or low stocking rates. No attempt was made to limit growth of any groups during the spring pasture flush. At 16 months of age three adult stocking rate groups were formed by proportional representation from the weaner groups. The weaner phase treatments induced marked differences in patterns of growth and wool production in the weaner phase. The low plane and high plane weaners differed by 10.3 kg liveweight at the end of July and by 5.0 kg at the end of the weaner phase (December). Weaner wool production differed among groups by 0.8 kg (Clean). In the following year residual effects of weaner nutrition on liveweight were small, but statistically significant for the first eight months. However, weaner nutrition had no subsequent effect on the production of wool or lambs.
Phytotoxic effects from biuret fed as a supplement to cattle
Authors: Reeves TG , Smith GH , Wong CL , Brooke HD
Published: March 2005

A series of experiments conducted in 1972 at Rutherglen, north-eastern Victoria, investigated phytotoxic effects, observed in oats and annual pasture, on land where steers had previously been fed biuret, NH(CONH2)2, as a supplement. Soil samples from the necrotic areas, three months later, revealed that biuret content in the 0-10 cm layer was 150 p.p.m. w/w. It was hypothesized that this biuret had been voided in urine by the biuret-fed steers. In a subsequent experiment, yearling steers were fed crushed oats +0.23 kg head-1 day-1 of biuret for 33 days and had a urinary concentration of 1.02 per cent biuret. When this urine was applied to bare soil in the field, wheat and oat seedlings failed to emerge. Urine from steers fed crushed oats only, or crushed oats + linseed meal, was much less toxic to germinating seeds. These findings indicate that, under certain conditions, urine voided from cattle fed biuret can have marked phytotoxic effects in annual crop and pasture species, reducing establishment by up to 20 per cent.
Response of mown pasture to potassium fertilizer in south-eastern South Australia
Authors: Meissner AP , Clarke AL
Published: March 2005

Trials lasting three years were conducted at 27 sites in the south-east of South Australia to examine the responses of mown subterranean clover-ryegrass pastures to repeated annual applications of potassium chloride. At 20 sites, yield of dry matter (DM) was increased by potassium in one or more harvests. Responses were measured in 9 out of 55 winter harvests and 42 out of 86 spring harvests; mean responses to 100 kg ha-1 KCl (-Y100) at responsive sites were 380 and 560 kg DM ha-1 in winter and spring respectively. When potassium dressing increased yield, the proportion of clover in the sward was either maintained or increased. The herbage concentration of potassium was usually increased, and its magnesium concentration sometimes depressed, by potassium application. Although the K:Mg ratio was thereby increased, especially during winter, it rarely reached 15, the value considered necessary to induce grass tetany in cattle. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the exchangeable potassium concentration (Kex) of the top 10 cm of soil, the depth of soil overlying clay or limestone, and the sand content of the topsoil were factors affecting yield response. The best regression equations, however, explained less than half of the response variations. In practice, Kex alone would have usefully diagnosed potassium responsive sites. Responses occurred often when Kexwas less than 0.2 me 100 g-1 and rarely when it was greater. The use of potassium fertilizer is likely to be worthwhile to establish new pasture, to maintain the clover content of old pasture, and to increase the yield and quality of hay, where soils have less than 0.20 me 100 g-1 Kex. Such soils are most commonly sands more than 30 cm deep.