bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management practices for tropical grasses and their effects on pasture and milk production
Authors: Davison TM , Cowan RT , O'Rourke PK
Published: March 2005

Two experiments examined the effect different pasture management strategies had on individual cow milk yield during the summer wet season. In control treatments pasture was continuously grazed. In managed pastures the aim was to produce swards with a high leaf and low stem content. The grasses Panicum maximum cv. Gatton and Brachiaria decumbens were used in both experiments. Experiment one consisted of three pasture treatments; the stock were 1 8 Friesian cows. The control treatment was grazed continuously with no pasture management and was compared with two subjectively applied management treatments in which pasture was either slashed or stocked at variable rates in an attempt to increase pasture quality. The experiment lasted 17 weeks. Each time pastures were slashed or extra cows were added milk yield per cow fell. The lower each grass was slashed or the greater the number of cows added to a paddock the greater the fall in milk yield. Measurements of pasture yield, height and structural composition showed that slashing and variable stocking could increase the leaf percentage in the pasture, but not without seriously decreasing total leaf yield. In experiment two, 24 Friesian cows were used to compare the following treatments over a 10-week period (a) control-continuous grazing, (b) rotational grazing using a 2-week grazing, 2-week spelling regime and (c) rotational grazing with slashing after each grazing period. Milk yields averaged 10.6, 9.8 and 9.6 kg/cow day1, respectively (P> 0.05), and 10.1 and 9.9 kg/cow day-1 for B. decumbens and P. maximum pastures (P> 0.05). As in the first experiment, leaf percentage was increased by management treatments, but not without decreasing total pasture yield to the level where it limited milk production. Leaf yields could only be increased with an associated increase in total pasture yield. It was concluded that grazing management decisions should be based on total pasture on offer rather than any percentage component of total yield.
Evaluation of row spacing and population density effects on grain sorghum over a range of northern Australian environments
Authors: Thomas GA , Myers RJK , Foale MA , French AV , Hall B , Ladewig JH , Dove AA , Taylor GK , Lefroy E , Wylie P , Stirling GD
Published: March 2005

Fifteen experiments were conducted between 1976 and 1978 to determine the response of grain sorghum to row spacing and population density over a range of soil types, planting dates and seasonal conditions. One experiment was at Kununurra, Western Australia, and the rest were in southern and central Queensland. The trials virtually covered the full range of growing conditions likely to be experienced in the sorghum growing area. Narrow and standard single rows (0.33 m to 1.07 m spacings) yielded as well as or better than more widely spaced (1.50 to 4.27 m) single or twin rows (0.33 or 0.36 m apart) at equivalent population densities over a wide range of yield levels. Only at yield levels below 900 kg ha-l was there a trend for 2.00 or 2.13 m twin rows to outyield the 0.33 or 0.36 m single row spacing. Significant yield reductions resulted in a number of trials, at yield levels above 1600 kg ha-l, from the use of wide row spacings. Where there was severe water stress, grain yields were also reduced by high population densities (>150,000 plants ha-l), particularly at the 0.33 or 0.36 m row spacing. There was no evidence that response to row spacing differed between cultivars. In the one experiment where it was studied, root pruning had no effect on grain yield under conditions of ample moisture supply, but yield was reduced by root pruning of wide row sorghum (1.8 m spacing) under conditions of moisture stress.
Honeybee pollination of the apricot cv. Trevatt
Authors: Langridge DF , Goodman RD
Published: March 2005

The role of honeybees in the pollination of apricots cv. Trevatt was examined in a 2-year study. When trees were enclosed in cages, the percentage of flowers that set fruit, the weight of fruit harvested per tree and the number of fruit per tree were reduced by 43%, 32% and 50%, respectively. Honeybees comprised 97.6% of insects visiting the flowers, and since 84% of the bees counted were pollen gatherers visiting newly opened flowers, they were more significant pollinators than nectar collecting bees. Optimum conditions for opening and dehiscence of anthers were found to occur at temperatures of 20�C or higher and at 70% relative humidity or less. Parthenocarpy was not a significant factor in fruit set and while self-pollination and possibly some airborne pollen account for some fruit set, this cultivar does benefit from pollination by honeybees.
Comparative production of lean meat from Friesian bulls and steers over a range of nutritional planes at pasture
Authors: Mickan FJ , Thomas GW , Spiker SA
Published: March 2005

The growth rate and carcase characteristics of Friesian bulls and steers were compared when the animals were fed solely on pasture from 8 to 18 months of age. The animals were set stocked at rates ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 animals ha-1, so that average growth rates of the steers ranged from 0.87 to 0.57 kg d-1. All were slaughtered at 18 months of age for the manufacturing meat trade. For each additional animal per hectare the average daily liveweight gain of both bulls and steers was reduced by 0.1 0 kg d-1. However, at all stocking rates bulls maintained a 0.06 kg d-1 advantage over the steers. These results do not support the suggestion that as the plane of nutrition increases, so does the advantage in growth rate of the bulls over that of the steers. Seasonal liveweight gains of the two sex types and the effect of stocking rate on these are discussed. For each 0.1 0 kg d-1 increase in steer liveweight gain carcase weight per animal increased by 19 kg and the bulls produced 25 kg more carcase weight than the steers. As the plane of nutrition increased, the percentage of saleable meat produced by the steers was constant (66.2%) while that of the bulls increased (68.7%-72.3%). This trend was reversed for the percentage of fat trimmed out of the carcases. The fat trim of the bulls was 3.6% while that of the steers increased from 6.4% to 8.9%. Over the entire range of nutrition levels, bulls were superior to steers in all attributes considered necessary for the manufacturing trade. However, under Australian conditions, seemingly unjustifiable penalty rates for slaughtering and, to a lesser extent, farmer prejudice, severely restrict the use of young grazing bulls for lean meat production.
Supplementary feeding of Merino wethers grazing weed-free stubble pastures
Authors: Butler LG
Published: March 2005

A field trial was conducted in the Wimmera region of Victoria to investigate the effect of several supplements on 4-year-old Merino wethers grazing a weed-free wheat stubble for 3 months, The four treatments were: a control (no supplement), urea/molasses block, 100 g/head day-1 of lupin grain, and 2 g urea plus 0.5 g Na2SO4 l-1 in the drinking water. Twenty sheep per treatment were used, and liveweight change and wool growth were measured. Although all groups lost weight, the lupin group lost only 0.5 kg per head over the 3 months of the trial, and was 3.8 kg heavier (P <0.01) than the control group, while the urea/molasses group was 2.2 kg heavier (P <0.01) than the control group. There was no effect of the urea plus sulfur supplement in the drinking water on liveweight or wool production. The urea/molasses block did not affect wool production but lupin grain stimulated wool production by 0.08 kg (P <0.05). The sheep were weighed and shorn four and a half months after the trial (August), during which time all groups grazed together on green feed. The experimental liveweight differences had disappeared, apparently due to compensatory growth. In addition, a digestibility trial was conducted in an attempt to explain some of the field results. The treatments were designed to simulate those used in the field. Lupin grain stimulated intake by 129 g day-1 (P <0.05) but had no effect on apparent digestibility of straw. The treatment simulating the urea/ molasses block (urea plus sulfur plus sucrose in the drinking water) stimulated intake by 159 g day-l (P <0.05) and tended to increase digestibility (P > 0.05). It was concluded that supplementary feeding of Merino wethers grazing weed-free stubble is unlikely to be an economic farm practice.
Comparison of the progeny of Peppin and Bungaree Merino ewes when mated to Border Leicester rams
Authors: Hodge RW , Beard KT
Published: March 2005

Three hundred and thirteen Peppin, and two hundred and eighty-seven Bungaree Merino ewes were mated to Border Leicester rams in February 1974. The first cross lambs were weaned in November 1974 and grazed on pasture. Twenty-four first cross male lambs of each strain were slaughtered over a range of liveweights, and carcase characteristics recorded. The reproductive performance of the first cross ewes was recorded over a period of 5 years. The parent Bungaree ewes had significantly more multiple births and weaned 10% more lambs per 100 ewes lambed than did the parent Peppin ewes. The carcases of the first cross Bungaree male lambs contained a higher percentage of retail cuts and less fat trim than the first cross Peppin male lambs. More of the Bungaree first cross ewes reached puberty before 12 months of age (P < 0.01) they grew significantly faster, attained a higher mature body weight and grew more wool than did the Peppin cross ewes (P < 0.01 ). No significant differences could be detected between the two strains of first cross ewes in terms of onset of oestrus, ovulation rate or number of lambs born. The lambs reared by the Bungaree cross ewes were significantly heavier (P < 0.01) at 12- 13 weeks of age than those raised by the Peppin cross ewes.
Field calibration of a soil sulfate test on sward lucerne on the eastern Darling Downs, Queensland
Authors: White PJ , Whitehouse MJ , Warrell LA , Burrill PR
Published: March 2005

The relation between phosphate-extractable sulfate and the response of lucerne to applied sulfur was examined on 20 established lucerne (Medicago sativa) swards on the black earths of the Darling Downs. Two rates of S were used (0.100 kg ha-1) and soil depths to 90 cm were considered. Six sites responded at the first cut and relative yield of lucerne was correlated with soil sulfate. The best fit of the data was obtained using a square root quadratic model and sulfate in the 0-80 cm zone. The critical soil level was 3.5 ppm. Of 17 attributes examined, only chloride concentration (0-60 cm) and conductivity of the soil water suspension (0-60 cm) significantly improved the variance in relative yield explained, but this was considered to be fortuitous. The relative importance of sub-soil sulfate (40-80 cm) to lucerne nutrition on these soils is shown.
The effect of corm size and division of the mother corm in gladioli
Authors: McKay ME , Byth DE , Tommerup J
Published: March 2005

The effects of size and division of the mother corm on yield of gladioli inflorescences, corms and cormlets and on inflorescence quality were studied in two experiments in south-east Queensland. Planting with whole large corms resulted in greater inflorescence yield, higher inflorescence quality and gave more high quality inflorescences than planting with smaller corms. Flowering percentage [(number of inflorescences/number of corms planted) x 100] was increased by cutting the large corms, but was reduced by cutting the smaller corms. Inflorescence quality was reduced by cutting corms. Some multiple shooting (greater than one shoot per corm) occurred with whole large corms and increased the flowering percentage, but inflorescence quality was still higher than for the smaller corms, and was acceptable by market standards. The yield of new corms was increased by cutting corms of large or number 3 size, but was reduced by cutting the smaller initial corms. For the large corms, cutting increased the yield of new corms by 93%. The method of cutting corms influenced subsequent plant development. Cutting to remove storage tissue and damage to part of the root initials without damaging the buds, stimulated multiple shooting, increased inflorescence yield, decreased inflorescence quality, and substantially increased the number and weight of new corms. Removal of buds in cutting reduced inflorescence number and corm and cormlet yield. Commercial producers may be able to cut large corms to rapidly propagate new planting material, concurrently with flower production. However, cultivars differ in their response to cutting.
Thinning of cling peaches with ethephon in the Riverland area of South Australia
Authors: Gathercole FJ
Published: March 2005

An ethephon spray 39 to 53 days after full bloom effectively thinned both Golden Queen and Wight peaches in 1973 and 1974, and Wight and Keimos cultivars in 1975, but gave inconsistent results in commercial demonstrations in 1976. The optimum concentration was 40-100 ppm and depended on the degree of thinning needed. Concentrations in this range did not cause any leaf fall but increased the amount of gumming and stone splitting in Golden Queen fruit in 1974; there were no other detrimental effects on the fruit. Uneven thinning between and within trees of Keimos was a problem in 1975.
Correction - 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 (1 0.2 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.
Effect of sowing time on the establishment and early production of tropical and temperate pasture mixtures under irrigation in south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Lowe KF , Bowdler TM , Mulder JC
Published: March 2005

The most effective time to sow irrigated perennial pastures containing tropical and temperate species was investigated over three years at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland. Three mixtures were sown each month between September and June and in split sowings where the tropical species were sown in September or March, and the temperate species in May. Autumn sowings produced the most seedlings of sown species 40 d after sowing. Of the autumn months, May was the most suitable, with an establishment of 181 plants/m2 and a weed population of only 19 plants/m2. Tropical grass establishment was less than 8 plants/m2 from all sowing times. A considerable proportion of tropical grass sown in autumn appeared in spring. Split sowings were not as effective as autumn sowings and favoured the tropical species, which were sown first. Dry matter yield of sown species in the establishment year varied from 0.9 t/ha for February sowings to 12.0 t/ha for April sowings; weed yields varied from 5.8 t/ha for September sowings to 0.8 t/ha for May sowings. Tropical grass contribution was greatest from the split sowing in which the tropical species were sown in September. Temperate species yields were highest from May sowings. In the second year yields of temperate species declined substantially, mainly because of poor persistence of ryegrass. Although tropical grass yields increased in all treatments, this increase was not sufficient in the autumn sowings to compensate for the low ryegrass yields.
Distribution of fenitrothion applied to wheat by gravity feeding and spraying
Authors: Desmarchelier JM , Wilson AD
Published: March 2005

When fenitrothion was gravity fed as an undiluted concentrate, its distribution in 100 g samples of wheat taken from commercial storages was similar to the distribution after the use of conventional diluted sprays.
The commercial acceptability of three old potato cultivars following latent virus eradication
Authors: Sampson PJ , Stephens JG
Published: March 2005

The potato cultivars, Pinkeye, Bismark and Brownell have a long history of culture in Tasmania, and contain, respectively, the latent virus complements potato viruses S and Y, potato virus S, and potato viruses S, X and Y. Forms that had been freed of these viruses were compared with virus infected seed lines in two trials that followed local recommendations for optimum tuber yield. Virus-free forms were taller, leafier, darker green, and slightly later in flowering than infected plants. There was greater production of tubers (1 4- 198%) in smaller size grades at immature crop harvests by the virus-free forms of Pinkeye and Bismark; this was offset to some extent by an increase in fertilizer rate. At crop maturity, virus-free forms generally gave a higher yield; this averaged 9.1 % for Pinkeye, 4.6% for Bismark, and 10.3% for Brownell. The increased vigour after virus eradication has not affected commercial acceptance of Pinkeye and Bismark for the production of new, immature potatoes; it has increased second growth problems of Bismark and Brownell when grown to maturity and in part has led to their decline as commercial main crop varieties.
Comparison of dry season urea supplements containing salt, sulfur or molasses for steers grazing native pasture in the dry tropics of northern Queensland
Authors: McLennan SR , Dunster PJ , O'Rourke PK , Murphy GM
Published: March 2005

The effects of feeding dry season supplements of salt and urea (NaU), salt, urea and sulfur (NaUS) and molasses and urea (MU) on the liveweight of steers grazing native pasture in northern Queensland were studied over four years. Liveweight during the feeding period was improved (P < 0.05) by each supplement in three years out of four, with a mean level of response of 49 g/d. The supplements gave similar results in two years while in one year NaU and MU were better than NaUS (P < 0.05) and in another NaUS was better than NaU (P < 0.05). Compensatory growth by unsupplemented animals after the feeding period eroded liveweight responses to supplements in most cases. Blood sulfate level was not affected by treatment, nor was it related to liveweight in either the feeding or post-feeding periods. Mean levels for unsupplemented animals were 15.8 and 21.2 �g/ml for the feeding and post-feeding periods, respectively. Salivary Na:K ratios exceeded 18:1 throughout the year for unsupplemented and NaUS groups, indicating sodium sufficiency.
Economic values of net reproduction and weight-for-age for use in genetic calculations applied to Australian beef cattle herds
Authors: Morris CA
Published: March 2005

Economic values were estimated for net reproduction (N) and carcase weight production (P) in beef cattle herds. Weight selection referred to selecting for weight-for-age, not relative growth. Calculations were based on data that apply to the last seven years of Australian production. If considered only in terms of the change in total value of beef sold, a 5% increase in N or P gave an increase of about 4.1 %, according to the model. Improvements in biological efficiency, measured on a herd basis as total food energy input per unit weight of beef produced, were expected to be about - 2.5% per 5% dN/N, according to the model. Values for P were determined by the fundamental assumptions of the model, with literature review estimates having suggested no change in biological efficiency (as long as N remained constant). Small improvements in N resulted in a reduction in both food and non-food costs per unit of meat value sold. Economic efficiency (E) was defined as total costs per unit of meat value sold from breeding stock and growing-fattening stock, with reductions in E being favourable. In total, a 5% improvement in N yielded a change of about - 3% in E. The extent of change in E following selection for P (and for liveweight at the same time) depended on the assumptions applying, particularly with respect to food requirements and correlated cow weight changes. The most likely value was about - 2.5% dE/E for + 5% dP/P. Translated into a profit equation (H) on a dollar per cow-year basis, the most likely formula was H = 140n + 0.51 p, where n and p referred to small improvements in N and P per year, and N is a decimal fraction (not percentage), and P in kg.
Effects of fertilizer on concentrations of copper, molybdenum, and sulfur in subterrranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)
Authors: Reddy GD , Alston AM , Tiller KG
Published: March 2005

In pot experiments, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) was grown on four soils; two lateritic podzolic soils, a red-brown earth and a calcareous sand, to which various combinations of phosphorus (0 to 45 ppm as potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate), sulfur (0 to 45 ppm as calcium sulfate), copper (0 to 10 ppm as copper sulphate) and molybdenum (0 to 1 ppm as sodium molybdate) had been added. Applications of sulfur and copper had little effect on the dry weight of the clover tops on any soil, and none of the fertilizers affected dry weight on the calcareous sand. On the other soils, dry weight was increased by phosphorus, and by molybdenum when applied in combination with phosphorus. The copper treatment consistently increased the concentration of that element in the tops of the plants. On the lateritic podzolic soils and the red-brown earth, sulfur generally increased copper and sulfur concentrations but decreased that of molybdenum; phosphorus decreased copper and sulfur but increased the concentration of molybdenum. On the calcareous sand, application of sulfur had no effect on copper but decreased molybdenum and increased sulfur concentration; treatment with phosphorus decreased the concentration of copper but had no effect on sulfur or molybdenum in the plant tops. There were significant interactions between all treatments. These are discussed in relation to fertilizer practice and animal health.
Prediction of carcase fat depth in live lambs: a comparison of techniques
Authors: Clements BW , Thompson JM , Harris DC , Lane JG
Published: March 2005

The accuracy of condition scoring, the Scanogram and Scanoprobe for the prediction of carcase fat depth in live lambs was examined in 99 crossbred ewe lambs. The Scanogram was the most accurate predictor of fat depth at site C (12-13th rib junction, 40 mm from the dorsal midline), and soft tissue depth at site J110 (12-13th rib junction, 110 mm from the dorsal midline) in the carcase [residual standard deviations (RSD) of 1.1 67 and 2.166 mm, respectively]. The accuracy of the Scanogram in predicting carcase fat depth depended on variation in liveweight (P < 0.05). Condition scores were the next best predictors of measurements at sites C and J110 in the carcase (average RSD for three operators of 1.324 and 3.174 mm, respectively). The accuracy of condition scores by the best operator (i.e., the most repeatable and accurate) was largely independent of variation in liveweight. Condition scores were related (P < 0.05) to all carcase dimensions, although a general trend for the three operators was for condition scores to have the strongest relation with soft tissue depth at site J110 and then fat depth at site C, followed by the carcase classification fat score and lastly total tissue depth at site C. The Scanoprobe was the poorest predictor of C and J110 measurements in the carcase (RSD = 1.630 and 4.014 mm, respectively).
Promalin improves the shape of Delicious apples in Victoria
Authors: Veinbrants N , Miller P
Published: March 2005

Results of two experiments and nine orchard trials over three seasons at eight fruit growing districts have shown that fruit shape of Richared, Lalla, Starking, Hi-Early and Common Delicious apples can be improved by applications of the commercial formulation of N-(phenylmethylkl H-purin-61 - 1 amine plus gibberellins A, + A, (Promalin). Promalin at 25 ppm significantiy increased both fruit length: diameter ratio and prominence of calyx lobes. These fruit were considered to have a more characteristic shape and thus said to be more 'typey'. Response varied between strains, and applications during early stages of flowering were more effective than applications after full bloom. The spraying of Promalin with a hand gun caused heavy overthinning and retention of many small fruit on the tree. Applications with air blast spray equipment at spray volumes of 750-1 100 I/ha gave good results. Some air blast applications induced mild fruit thinning, and in several cases seed number was reduced and stem length increased.
Production of seed potatoes in Queensland
Authors: Novak VJ , Hughes IK
Published: March 2005

Seed potatoes of the Sebago cultivar were produced in Queensland from a single, pathogentested tuber by glasshouse and field multiplication. The seed potatoes, up to seven generations after release from the glasshouse, were compared in four, yearly, yield experiments with imported certified seed potatoes and in three experiments with locally saved seed. The crops produced from seed grown in Queensland yielded as well as, or better than, crops produced from both imported and locally saved seed. No serious disease problems arose in the production of the seed at various sites. Yields were satisfactory and commercial seed potato production in Queensland seems feasible. Two crops a year can be produced providing fresh seed for year round potato production.
Production responses in selenium supplemented sheep in northern New South Wales. 1. Infertility in ewes and associated production
Authors: Wilkins JF , Kilgour RJ
Published: March 2005

Responses in fertility after selenium supplementation of breeding ewes in northern New South Wales were examined. The treatment (5 mg selenium) was given orally as sodium selenite three weeks before joining, and responses were measured in terms of the proportion of ewes lambing. A total of 14 experiments was conducted on eight commercial properties over three years. In some flocks the effect of selenium supplementation on wool production and liveweight was also assessed. All sites were in areas of likely selenium deficiency. Selenium supplementation significantly increased the proportion of ewes lambing in 5 sf the 14 flocks studied but responses were quite variable between properties and years. The effect of supplementation on greasy wool production was small, but significant in two of the seven flocks measured. The treatment did not affect liveweight.
Labelled waters of crystallization in gypsum to measure the intake by sheep of loose and compressed mineral supplements
Authors: Rocks RL , Wheeler JL , Hedges DA
Published: March 2005

Tritiated water is a useful marker for determining the intake of a supplement by individual animals. The uniformity of mixing and the stability of tritiated water in dry supplements offered to grazing animals can be increased by incorporation of the tritium into the water of crystallization of an innocuous, non-deliquescent salt (e.g. gypsum). Laboratory and field tests in which labelled gypsum was mixed with salt (1 g/kg) indicated that the tritiated water was stable over long periods, up to 16 months, unless the salt was exposed to rain and absorbed sufficient water to dissolve appreciable quantities of the gypsum. In two field experiments there were large differences in consumption of salt both between individual sheep at any one sampling and between groups of sheep at different samples. The intake of granulated salt was consistently greater (720% in experiment 1 and 230% in experiment 2), and appeared more uniform, than the intake of the same material compressed into blocks. Problems from variations in intake between animals and over time are discussed. Further study is required to define the nature and extent of this variation and to explore means of reducing it.
Taints in meat from sheep grazing Parthenium hysterophorus
Authors: Tudor GD , Ford AL , Armstrong TR , Bromage EK
Published: March 2005

The occurrence of taints in meat of lambs consuming parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) weed was investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, lambs were fed rations containing either air-dried parthenium weed or no parthenium weed or a combination of both for four weeks before slaughter. In the second experiment, lambs grazed a pasture infested with parthenium, or a grass pasture for 12 weeks, while others grazed the infested pasture and then grass for 7, 14 or 21 d, immediately before slaughter. A laboratory taste panel and a domestic panel assessed the aroma and flavour of the meat from all treatments. Although the laboratory taste panel could differentiate between meat from parthenium weed and grass treatments the differences in aroma and flavour between treatments were small. Removal of the sheep from the infested pasture for at least 14 d before slaughter, lowered the level of taint in the meat. Germination tests on faeces, and rumen and reticulum contents of sheep fed parthenium weed failed to show any viable parthenium seeds, but it is possible that seed could be spread through the wool or feet.
The phenology of eight cereal, grain legume, and oilseed crops in South Australia
Authors: French RJ , Schultz JE
Published: March 2005

The number of days and the accumulated values of meteorological variables in the intervals between specific stages of the crop cycle of barley and lupins were derived from experiments conducted over a range of sites and seasons. The duration of the intervals of both crops were best defined by relation to date of sowing and the day-degrees of maximum air temperature. Rainfall was also important in determining the intervals in lupins, particularly from the beginning of flowering. Equations were derived to predict the number of days in each interval. Comparative data on the number of days in the intervals and the day-degrees of maximum air temperature are presented for wheat, barley, oats, lupins, peas, rape, linseed and safflower.
Effect of age at initiation of short-day treatment on earliness to flower in three Stylosanthes guianensis genotypes
Authors: Miles JW
Published: March 2005

The number of days from planting to flowering and number of short-day (9 h) cycles to flowering of three Stylosanthes guianensis genotypes were evaluated on seedlings grown for 0, 4, 8, 12, or 16 weeks under natural (approximately 12 h) photoperiod before the start of the short-day treatment. Untreated controls grown continuously under the natural photoperiod were included. All genotypes responded to short-day treatment, flowering earlier than the controls. Differences among genotypes in number of days to flower and in number of short-day cycles to flower under each treatment were found. The number of short-day cycles to flower decreased with increasing age at the start of the short-day treatment, indicating an initial, non-receptive juvenile period. The duration of the juvenile period differed with genotype and was prolonged under short photoperiod. Differences among genotypes in the duration of the juvenile period were not related to differences in growth rate as measured by main stem length. The plant age at the start of short-day treatment that resulted in minimum time to flower ranged among genotypes from 4-1 2 weeks. Initial plant growth under long, non-inductive photoperiod at photosynthetic light intensity with subsequent short-day treatment should decrease time to flower for short-day types of S. guianensis, resulting in a decrease in generation time of glasshouse-grown plants.
Effect of land preparation and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and quality of temperate species introduced into a tropical grass sward during autumn
Authors: Goodchild IK , Thurbon PN , Sibbick R , Shepherd R
Published: March 2005

Five temperate pasture species (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino, Trifolium subterraneum cv. Mt Barker, Lolium multiflorum cv. Tama, Lolium perenne cv. Kangaroo Valley, and (Lolium perenne x L. multiflorum cv. Ariki) were compared singly and in combination for their winter production when introduced into an existing couch and pangola mixed pasture grown under irrigation in tropical Queensland. The effects of preparing a cultivated seedbed and applying 50 kg N/ha.month on dry matter (DM) yield and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were studied. Nitrogen fertilizer increased the DM yields of all pasture types, (P < 0.05), but with a lesser effect on clovers and mixtures of clover and ryegrass than on ryegrass. Average DM yields for winter (April to September) were 5740, 3665 and 5238 kg/ha for nitrogen-fertilized clovers, ryegrasses, and clover and ryegrass mixtures, respectively. Corresponding DM yields without nitrogen were 4852, 874 and 4532 kg/ha, respectively. Clovers, and clover and ryegrass mixtures maintained a higher IVDMD than did the ryegrasses. Cultivation assisted early establishment of temperate pastures, though satisfactory pastures were also established after slashing and burning of the original couch and pangola mixed pasture. DM yields were higher for clover, and clover and ryegrass mixtures. Ryegrass did not persist without N fertilizer. It was concluded that clovers, ryegrasses, and clover and ryegrass mixtures could be introduced annually into existing couch and pangola mixed pastures to provide winter forage in a tropical environment.
Residues in soil, pasture and grazing dairy cattle after the incorporation of dieldrin and heptachlor into soil before sowing
Authors: Gilbert WS , Lewis CE
Published: March 2005

Soil, pasture and grazing dairy cattle with calves were monitored at two locations on the North Coast of New South Wales for insecticide residues from 1972-1 975, after soil incorporation of dieldrin and heptachlor at the recommended rate of 1.1 kg/ha before sowing to control pasture weevil pests. The soil and pasture types were: Wollongbar clay loam sown with tropical legumes and grass at Wollongbar (dieldrin), and black alluvial sown with temperate legumes and grass, at Duck Creek substation, near Ballina (dieldrin and heptachlor). After the treatments, persistent residues were found in soil and pasture, and grazing stock, although residues declined over the trial period. Stock residues in many cases exceeded the 0.15 and 0.2 �g/g maximum residue limits recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council for the fat of milk and meat, and similar residues were found in additional cattle introduced after fifteen months. In view of the long-term risks for grazing stock, the pre-sowing soil treatment with dieldrin and heptachlor for the control of pasture pests is no longer recommended by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture.
Methyl bromide fumigation and cold storage for disinfestation of Granny Smith apples against Queensland and Mediterranean fruit flies
Authors: Rippon LE , Singh G , Sproul AN , Gilbert WS
Published: March 2005

Granny Smith apples infested with eggs, young or old larvae of Queensland fruit fly, Dacus tryoni (Froggatt.), or Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedeman.), were fumigated with 32 g/m3 methyl bromide (MB) for 2 h at 17�C or 10�C followed by cold storage at 1.5 � 0.5�C for periods from 0-1 0 d. With both insects, eggs were recognized as the most tolerant stage. MB alone was ineffective in completely killing any stage, and an additional eight days' cold storage was established as a conservative minimum time to give nil survivors in the most tolerant stage. A high level of security was subsequently demonstrated by the fumigation, in three trials, of at least 10 000 insects at the egg stage and none of them surviving. Initial MB residues ranged from 4.75-3.70 �g/g at 10�C and 17�C, respectively. During subsequent storage at 1.5�C residues declined, the data indicating that more than 60% of the MB reacted in situ with the fruit components. MB residues were not detected 7 d after fumigation. With an aeration time of 2 h at the fumigation temperatures, a period of 3-7 d at 15�C is necessary to avoid MB residues exceeding the maximum residue limit of 0.5 �g/g recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC). At no time did inorganic residues exceed the maximum residue limit of 20 �g/g of the NHMRC and Codex, nor the 5 �g/g of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Honeybee pollination of oilseed rape, cultivar Midas
Authors: Langridge DF , Goodman RD
Published: March 2005

In a trial on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cv. Midas grown on dry land in northern Victoria, no increase in yield of seed, oil content, or percentage germination was obtained from plots where bees and larger insects had access compared with plots enclosed in cages of 2.5 mm mesh to exclude these insects. The weight of 1000 seeds was slightly greater in the enclosed plots. Bees and a Syrphid, Melangyna viridiceps, were the predominant insects visiting the flowers. The bees stored some surplus honey and pollen and built up colony population. Self-pollination and possibly wind pollination appear to be the norm for this cultivar.
The production and composition of milk from dairy cows fed hay and supplemented with either brewers' grains or rolled barley grain
Authors: Valentine SC , Wickes RB
Published: March 2005

Four groups of seven Friesian cows were offered 70% of their calculated metabolizable energy requirements as pasture hay and either 2.4, 4.8 or 7.2 kg/d of dry matter (DM) as wet brewers' grains or 3.9 kg DM/d as rolled barley. A further group of cows received no supplement. The quantities of brewers' grains offered were calculated from in vitro digestible DM content to provide lo%, 20% and 30%, respectively, of metabolizable energy requirements and the rolled barley 30% of metabolizable energy requirements. The cows consumed a mean of 2.2,4.3 and 6.1 kg DM/d, respectively, as brewers' grains and 3.9 kg DM/d as rolled barley. The daily yields of milk (litres), protein (kg) and solids not fat (kg), respectively, were greater (P < 0.05) for the cows offered brewers' grains at 4.8 kg DM/d (1 5.6,0.49, 1.36) and 7.2 kg DM/d (16.4, 0.54, 1.45) than for the cows offered rolled barley (13.3, 0.45, 1.21). Daily yields of milk fat from the cows offered either 4.8 or 7.2 kg DM/d of brewers' grains or rolled barley did not differ significantly. There were no significant differences between treatments in liveweight change. It was concluded that wet brewers' grains and rolled barley offered as supplements to dairy cows fed hay have similar nutritive values for milk production. It was calculated that for milk fat production the break even landed price ratio of brewers' grains to barley is 1:1.26.
A standard technique for detecting seed transmitted Phomopsis leptostromiformis of lupins and for testing commercial seed in South Australia
Authors: Ali SM , Paterson J , Crosby J
Published: March 2005

A standard agar plate method was tested for its ability to detect Phomopsis leptostromiformis on lupin seed. It proved to be reliable. The 95% confidence intervals of Phomopsis level of five seed samples were 13.2-1 5.8, 13.2-1 5.5, 15.4-1 7.9, 13.2-1 4.8 and 15.6-1 8.0. The characteristic colony produced by Phomopsis infected seeds on agar media was confirmed by microscopic examination for accuracy of detection and no exception was observed. The method is described in detail. The method was then used in a two year survey of 160 samples of commercial lupin seed from all parts of South Australia. The percentage of seed infected in these samples ranged from 0-20% and only 13% of the samples were free of P. leptostromiformis.
Effects of simulated hail damage on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco
Authors: Whitfield DM
Published: March 2005

Tobacco crops were artificially damaged to simulate effects of hail in two series of experiments run over three years. In the first series, four treatments ranging from no damage to complete loss of leaves plus the apex were imposed when 5,10 or 15 leaves had unfolded. The performance of crops replanted or ratooned at the same stages was also measured. In the second series, the effects of lamina loss or midrib damage, or both in crops at early flowering were investigated. The first series showed that yield and quality were drastically reduced by severe damage at the 15 leaf stage. Yields where all the leaves were lost were only 940 kg/ha compared with controls yielding 2400 kg/ha. Replanted crops also yielded poorly at this stage (91 0 kg/ha) but ratooned crops produced satisfactory yields (1840 kg/ha) of good quality leaf. However, ratooning led to significant delays in harvest. In the second series, yields decreased from 2370 and 2030 to 161 0 kg/ha with loss of one-third and two-thirds of the lamina tissue, respectively. Damage to midribs caused additional losses of up to 400 kg/ha. However, only the most severe loss of lamina tissue depressed leaf quality.
Productivity of classers' grades and sire selection differentials for fleece weight in two Merino studs
Authors: McGuirk BJ , Rose M , Scott R
Published: March 2005

The normal practice in Merino studs is to class the rams visually into three grades: reserve rams from which the stud sires will be chosen; flock rams for use in commercial flocks; and culls. This study examined the productivity of these grades in three drops of rams from each of two studs. In each drop there were differences between the grades in greasy and clean fleece weight. In stud 1 the relative clean and greasy wool percentages in the reserve, flock and cull grades were 11 6,98 and 86, and 11 6,98 and 87 (P < 0.05), respectively. Clean fleece weights were not available on the visual culls in stud 2. In that stud the relative greasy wool percentages of rams in three grades were 112, 98 and 90, and the reserve rams also cut 15% more clean wool than the flock rams (P< 0.05). The differences between the grades in yield and average fibre diameter were less than they were for fleece weight and generally not statistically significant. In stud 1 the reserve rams were 0.6% higher yielding and 0.2 pm stronger than the drop average. The reserve rams were less variable than the other grades in fleece weights, yield and diameter. The largest differences were for fleece weights, where the differences in variation between the grades were significant. The average coefficient of variation for greasy fleece weight among the reserve rams in the two studs was 10.0% compared with the estimate of 13.2% for the whole drop. Selection differentials for fleece weight were estimated for stud sires selected from these six drops of rams. The efficiency of sire selection for either greasy or clean fleece weight was in excess of 70% of the maximum possible. In the four drops in which all sire replacements were selected exclusively from the reserves, the two steps in the sire selection procedure contribution almost equally to the sire selection differentials achieved.
Effect of age, maternal handicap, birth and survival type on five fleece and body characters of Corriedale rams
Authors: Napier KM , Jones LP
Published: March 2005

The effects of age, dam age, type of birth and rearing on weaning weight, clean fleece weight, hogget weight, fibre diameter and yield were estimated for 751 Corriedale rams aged 16-19 months, over three years. Twin born and reared rams were 20% lighter at weaning and 4% at hogget weighing than singles and cut 4% less wool. All characters except yield increased with the age of the ram, the effect being greatest for weaning weight with a regression coefficient of 0.17 kilogram per day of age. Of particular interest was fibre diameter, which increased with age; the regression coefficient was 0.026 pm per day of age. Clean fleece weight also increased with age; the regression coefficient was 0.0061 kilogram per day of age. The phenotypic correlation between clean fleece weight and fibre diameter was very high (0.45), other correlations were within previously published estimates. The relation between eight qualitative characters (head type, face cover, back cover, belly cover, wool quality, standard of feet, body size and classer grade) and three productive characters (clean fleece weight, weaning weight and hogget weight) was studied. Clean fleece weight was not correlated with face cover but was negatively correlated with belly cover (-0.30) and positively correlated with classer grade (0.41).
Weed control and row-spacing in dry-land sorghum in northern New South Wales
Authors: Holland JF , McNamara DW
Published: March 2005

Six experiments were done in northern New South Wales over three seasons to study the effect of weeds on the yield of dry-land grain sorghum and methods of weed control. The relation between crop row spacing and weed control by inter-row cultivation or atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino- 6-isopropylamino-l,3,5-triazine), or both was studied. Where the site yield was high because of favourable growing conditions, an increase in the crop row spacing reduced yield. At low yielding sites, an increase in the row spacing increased yields. At most sites, weed growth was greater with wider row spacings, which resulted in a larger reduction in crop yield where weeds were not removed. Inter-row cultivation reduced weed growth to less than half that of the unweeded controls. Pre-emergent atrazine gave good weed suppression, generally reducing weed growth to less than 10% of the unweeded control when applied at 2.5 kg/ha active ingredient. Post-emergent atrazine was much less effective. Inter-row cultivation combined with a band of pre-emergent atrazine over the crop row was as effective in weed control as an overall spray of pre-emergent atrazine.
The probable long association of beet western yellows virus with the potato leaf roll syndrome in Tasmania
Authors: Duffus JE , Johnstone GR
Published: March 2005

Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) was isolated from potato cultivars showing leaf roll in Tasmania. Twenty-four of 25 plants representing 11 cultivars selected from the field as showing typical leaf roll symptoms contained virus that infected Capsella bursa-pastoris. Serological tests with two isolates showed them to be closely related to several Californian BWYV isolates. Because of strict plant quarantine and certification schemes operating in Tasmania since the early 1930s, these isolates of BWYV are probably representative of leaf roll isolates that were common before world-wide certification schemes. The occurrence of BWYV in potatoes during these early periods strongly indicates a world-wide significance of BWYV in potato culture. The wide spread occurrence of BWYV associated with leaf roll in Tasmanian potatoes could have very important consequences for the potato certification scheme. These are discussed together with the use of sensitive serological tests to detect luteoviruses in potato and facilitate their control.
The nutrition of peanuts on cockatoo sands of the Ord River Valley
Authors: Laurence RCN
Published: March 2005

Eight field experiments were carried out between 1977 and 1979 to determine the nutrient requirements of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) when grown in a sandy soil next to the Ord River Valley. Treatments tested were phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, nitrogen and inoculation with Rhizobium. Phosphorus applied to the virgin soil at 20 kg/ha P increased pod yields by 36% (from 3.35 to 4.56 t/ha) and kernel yields by 40% (from 2.24 to 3.14 t/ha). Phosphorus had no effect in an experiment, which followed a fertilized crop of sorghum. Calcium as either limestone or gypsum increased kernel yields of 'Virginia Bunch' peanuts by up to 16% and 46% in two seasons, respectively, through improvements in kernel weight and shelling percentage. Potassium, nitrogen and inoculation did not affect any economic attribute.