bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies on cattle with oesophageal fistulae. The relation of the chemical composition of feed to that of the extruded bolus
Authors: Little DA
Published: March 2005

Twelve feeds were given to oesophageally-fistulated cattle, and the chemical composition of each was compared with that of bolus material extruded while eating them. The nitrogen contents of the feeds ranged from 0.55 to 3.19 per cent on a dry matter basis. Feeds and complete boluses were dried and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, ash and neutral-detergent-soluble material (NDSM). Both nitrogen and NDSM in ingested feed could be reliably estimated by analysis of extruded bolus material ; the relation between feed and bolus nitrogen was slightly more precise when expressed on an organic matter basis, whereas that for material soluble in neutral detergent was closer on a dry matter basis. The phosphorus and ash contents of feeds were substantially and variably elevated by saliva and could not be estimated from analysis of the bolus. The nitrogen content of saliva secreted during rest was found to be significantly affected by dietary nitrogen concentration, but that of saliva secreted during chewing was not ; it is suggested that this explains the relative absence of an effect of salivary contamination on bolus nitrogen.
Growth rates of lambs and adult sheep grazing forage sorghums and lucerne
Authors: Sheridan KP , Holland JF , Thompson JA , Hamilton BA
Published: March 2005

Daily growth rates of adult sheep grazing a sorghum-sudan grass hybrid, Sorghum almum and lucerne were 87 g, 73 g and 171 g a head. Weaned lambs had low daily growth rates on the forage sorghums, 84 g and 48 g a head, compared to 159 g a head on lucerne. On lucerne growth rates of lactating ewes and their lambs were also higher than those on forage sorghums. In vitro dry matter digestibilities of the forage sorghums were ' low, ranging from 52 to 61 per cent, and were considered to be an important factor contributing to the low growth rates of weaned lambs.
Studies on the germination and field establishment of Summit wheat
Authors: Tuohey CL , Mullett JH , Easton GR
Published: March 2005

Poor field emergence of the wheat cultivar Summit was reported in the Wimmera Region of Victoria after its release to farmers in 1966. In field and laboratory experiments the emergence of Summit was reduced when seed was stored for long periods after being treated with normal rates of a phenyl mercury acetate fungicide commonly used for control of covered smut or common bunt of wheat. A shorter period of storage with higher rates also seriously reduced emergence. Several other fungicides were shown to have varying effects on the emergence of the cultivar and one of these, maneb, gave satisfactory control of bunt. The greater susceptibility of Summit to phenyl mercury acetate demonstrated in these experiments was not associated with the degree of seed coat damage.
Banana plant growth. 2. Dry matter production, leaf area and growth analysis
Authors: Turner DW
Published: March 2005

The quantitative aspects of banana plant growth (omitting roots) at Alstonville, New South Wales, are described. Dry matter distribution, leaf area index (L), net assimilation rate (E), leaf area ratio (F) and relative growth rates (R), were measured. For a spring planting, only 1695 kg ha-l dry matter were produced in the first twelve months but 6780 kg were produced in the first half of the second year as the bunch and first ratoon crop developed. The plant crop was characterized by early leaf growth (high F) whereas in the ratoon crops, corm growth was a feature of early growth stages. Leaf area index was less than 1 for the first twelve months but reached 5 after 18 months. Plants were 3.1 m X 1.9 m apart. Net assimilation rate was affected by internal and external factors. The main internal control was the growth of suckers, which tended to increase E. Removal of the suckers in autumn or winter caused a sudden drop i i ~ E and absolute growth rate but when they were removed in early summer E was increased. The external controls affecting E were solar radiation, temperature and soil moisture, although the amount of variation explained in correlations was low. - R appeared to be constant in the plant crop within morphologically defined growth stages. This was not so in moon crops and R was probably a resultant of ontogenetic and climatic drifts. Desuckering in autumn and winter decreased R. Early summer desuckering increased R.
Sheep production on the north coast of New South Wales. 1. Effect of anthelmintics and grazing management on production and helminthosis of Merino wethers
Authors: Cohen RDH , Eastoe RD , Hotson IK , Smeal MG
Published: March 2005

Merino wethers grazing unfertilized pastures in rotational and continuous grazing systems on the North Coast of New South Wales were drenched at high, medium and low frequencies. Liveweights, wool production, faecal nemarode egg counts of the sheep and deaths from helminthosis were recorded. The results indicate that high stocking rates and good wool production can be maintained with frequent drenching. Haemonchus sp. and Trichostrongyh sp. were the most important nematodes that infected the sheep and the epidemiology and control of these two parasites is discussed.
Protein requirements of male and female Australian White turkeys to eight weeks of age
Authors: Yule WJ
Published: March 2005

Commercial Australian White Turkey poults were kept in small pens with sexes separated. Growth of male and female poults, fed three different dietary protein contents, was compared from three to eight weeks. Male turkey poults required at least 28 per cent protein in their diets for maximum growth to eight weeks, whereas the growth of females was less responsive to increases in protein content above 27 per cent. Feed conversion ratio was not significantly affected by dietary protein.
The effect of surface treatments on soil water storage and yield of wheat
Authors: Schultz JE
Published: March 2005

Soil water changes under six pre-seeding surface treatments and the following wheat crop were recorded at three- to four-weekly intervals in two consecutive seasons (1966-67 and 1967-68) on a hard setting red-brown earth in South Australia. The treatments were 'fallow' (initial cultivation in spring, nine months before sowing), 'grassland' (initial cultivation in autumn, two months before sowing), 'chemical fallow' (sprayed with herbicides in spring), and three fallows separately modified with gypsum, straw and hexadecanol. In both experiments grassland lost water rapidly in spring and this lower water content was never completely restored. The fallow + straw gave the biggest recharge of soil water following rain and the highest water storage efficiency during the fallow period. In 1966-67, recharge of soil water followed rain in summer at a time of high evaporation rates. The effectiveness of the treatments in increasing soil water storage was related to their ability to reduce evaporation. In 1967-68, soil water recharge occurred in autumn when evaporation rates were low. The effectiveness of the treatments was then related to their ability to curb surface sealing by raindrop impact. Nitrate-N contents in the top 60 cm of soil at seeding were higher in 1967 than 1968, probably due to efficient mineralization in 1967 after summer rain, and leaching by heavy rain and denitrification before seeding in 1968. Crops on the fallow + straw treatment used most water and produced the highest wheat yields with the highest water-use efficiency in both years.
Diagnostic leaf analysis for stone fruit. I. Errors associated with standard and simplified sampling procedures
Authors: Leece DR
Published: March 2005

Standard and simplified sampling procedures for peach orchards were assessed. Based on measures of tree-to-tree variation in three orchards, the average sampling error for the standard procedure would be < 10 per cent for macronutrients and <20-25 per cent for micronutrients. Aspects of the simplified procedure increased sampling error. Air-drying of samples increased macronutrient concentrations by up to 10 per cent, and not washing certain samples increased micronutrient concentrations (Fe + 45-150 per cent ; Cu, Mn, Zn + 8-23 per cent). However, the sampling of non-fruiting wood did not increase error.
Some effects of botanical composition of pasture on growth and wool production of weaner sheep
Authors: Reed KFM
Published: March 2005

August-born Corriedale lambs were weaned at ten weeks old and, for the following 12 months, were grazed on 16 plots. Each plot had been sown six years previously, to one of eight pasture mixtures which differed in their grass component, but not in their clover component. Trifolium perenne, Phalaris tuberosa, Dacylis glomerata, Trifolium repens, T . subterraneum, and T. fragiferum were sown. Hordem leporinum volunteered in most plots. Where perennial grass species were sown, Trifolium repens (white clover) contributed less than two per cent to the pasture present on the plots. For the two plots where perennial grass was not sown, white clover contributed up to 31 per cent. The total for all sown clover species present in the pasture varied from approximately 100 to 1000 kg ha-1, or approximately 3-30 per cent. Apart from the two plots where perennial qrass was not sown, the clover species present was mainly Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover). Average fleece weights varied from 3.1-4.9 kg on the different plots. The amount of sown clover present in the pasture accounted for 77 per cent of the between-plot variation in fleece weight and 66 per cent of the between-plot variation in annual liveweight gain. Measurements of pasture growth were made for four pasture mixtures. Total pasture growth showed differences of over 50 per cent due to pasture mixture, yet, when grazed at 20 weaners per hectare, differences in annual liveweight gain and fleece weight (10 months wool), due to pasture mixture, did not exceed 10 per cent. Annual liveweight gain and fleece weight were not correlated total pasture growth. However, pasture growth rate measured at monthly intervals, accounted for 43 per cent of the variation in mean daily liveweight gain during these individual months.
Nutritional value of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) and of spear grass (Heteropogon contortus)-dominant pastures fed to sheep. 1. The effect of plant maturity
Authors: Playne MJ , Haydock KP
Published: March 2005

The voluntary dry matter intake, digestibility and chemical composition of Townsville stylo and of black spear grass cut at different times of the year from a site near Townsville, Queensland, have been examined using penned sheep. Nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus intakes and retention in the sheep were measured. The concentrations of N, P, S, Na, and Ca in most cuts of spear grass and P and Na in Townsville stylo were less than the published requirements of animals. With spear grass, digestible dry matter intake declined rapidly from January to April and more slowly from April to October and by mid-March fell below the estimated energy requirements for maintenance of sheep. There was little change in digestible dry matter intake of Townsville stylo between February and May and the level was well above maintenance requirements. Dry matter intake and dry matter digestibility were linearly related but only about 50 per cent of variations in intake were caused by variations in digestibility. Nitrogen balance was linearly related to nitrogen intake, and sulphur balance was linearly related to sulphur intake. Phosphorus intakes were usually less than 1 g P day-l and animals were usually in negative P retention.
Effect of protein and energy levels on laying performance of strains of different bodyweights
Authors: Karunajeewa H
Published: March 2005

Three laying strains of different bodyweights were fed two dietary levels of both protein and energy in a factorial experiment. The level of methionine in the diets was equalized. The laying performance of the lightweight strain was inferior to that of the medium and heavy-weight crossbred strains. The medium weight strain was the most efficient in converting feed, protein and calories to egg product. Birds fed 15 per cent crude protein diets gained less bodyweight and produced eggs with higher yolk colou scores than those fed the 17 per cent crude protein diets. The performance of birds fed diets with 2840 kcal ME kg-1 was better than those fed diets containing 266 kcal ME kg.-1 The high level of energy resulted in greater pigmentation of egg yolks and better conversion feed to egg product. There were significant interactions between dietary protein and energy levels on egg weight, and on inta of feed, calories and protein. Mortality was higher among birds fed the medium-energy diets than in those fed the high-energy diets a a high proportion of deaths was due to lymphoid leucosis.
Ecological studies of root-nodule bacteria introduced into field environments. 3. Persistence of Rhizobium trifolii in association with white cover at high elevations
Authors: Brockwell J , Bryant WG , Gault RR
Published: March 2005

Eight strains of Rhizobium trifolii were tested for ability to persist in association with white clover (Trifolium repens) sown at three sites at different elevations in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales. The standard clover inoculant strain, TA1, persisted poorly. Five strains of Tasmanian origin (representing two distinct serotypes), all highly effective in nitrogen fixation in combination with white clover, were recovered from the soils at high frequency over a period of three years. A single-step technique of pelleting and seed inoculation was slightly but consistently superior to the more complicated method that has been employed routinely for inoculation of legume seed used in revegetation undertakings in the Snowy Mountains.
Variation in lucerne seed yields in relation to genotype and intensity of pollination
Authors: Leach GJ
Published: March 2005

Variation in the seed yields of twelve lucerne lines was studied at two South Australian sites between 1967 and 1970. At Tintinara, the lines were sown in drills and not irrigated. At Adelaide, plants were spaced on a 90 X 90 cm grid and irrigated in early summer. Each line, and also individual genotypes at Adelaide, yielded consistently in all harvests and at both sites. The Australian cultivar Hunter River, African, and Spanish line, gave the highest yields. Nine plants with the most consistent yields, and representing a range from low to high yields, were selected from the Hunter River and Spanish lines in the Adelaide experiment, were clonally multiplied: and exposed to different intensities of pollination in a third experiment. The pollination intensities were total exclusion of bees, exposure to casual visits from ambient bees, and exposure to a low bee density and a high bee density within pollination cages. Seed yields were negligible when bees were excluded. They were larger when exposed to casual bee visits, and larger still but similar at low and high bee densities in cages. There were large yield differences between genotypes, but there was no significant interaction between genotypes and the three intensities of pollination involving bees. There were large genotypic differences in the pathways to seed production, through raceme and floret development, with large differences in potential seed production, but these were not correlated with actual seed production. Even in the most efficient genotypes, at the highest pollination intensity, only one quarter of the potential seed yield was realised.
Control of Acacia flavescens with herbicides
Authors: Bailey DR
Published: March 2005

Acacia flavescens seedlings and suckers were effectively controlled with 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). When water was used as the herbicide carrier, seedling control improved with 2,4,5-T rates up to 2.24 kg of acid equivalent (a.e.) ha-1. However, the control of root shoots (suckers) did not improve with dosages above 1.12 kg a.e. ha-1. Diesel distillate was superior to water when used as a 2,4,5-T carrier for seedling control, but there was no difference between the two for sucker control. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was not effective on A. flavescens seedlings. At equivalent rates 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram) was as effective on A. flavescens seedlings as 2,4,5-T. Picloram was more damaging to the pasture legume Stylosanthes guyanensis ssp. gayanensis than was 2,4,5-T. Bioassay did not detect picloram in the top 96 cm of soil 15 months after applying 1.12 kg a.e. ha-1 of picloram. It is possible that loss through leaching was substantial because the soil was sandy and approximately 375 cm of rain had fallen. Addition of dibutyl phthalate (DP) at 5 per cent V/V to a diesel distillate-2,4,5-T mixture had no discernible effect on the control of A. flavescens seedlings. However, DP at 20 per cent V/V impaired 2,4,5-T activity. Acacia seedling numbers were reduced in a newly sown pasture through the application of superphosphate containing 9.6 per cent P at 570 kg ha-1. On the other hand, the survival and growth of Panicum maximum (guinea grass) was appreciably improved, which suggested that increased competition from guinea grass was responsible for Acacia suppression.
The use of a Latin square change-over design with dairy cows to detect differences in the quality of tropical pastures
Authors: Stobbs TH , Sandland RL
Published: March 2005

The value was investigated of a latin square change-over design for detecting differences in herbage quality in terms of milk production and milk composition from Jersey cows grazing pure stands of three tropical grass pastures, Digitaria decumbens, Setaria sphacelata cv. Kazungula, and Chloris gayana CV. Pioneer. Relatively small differences in milk production could be measured using limited resources of land and cows, and estimates were calculated of the number of cows required to detect true differences in milk yield. A 9-day standardization period was shown to be more desirable than a 4-day standardization period. Residual effects of previous treatments, although small, were significant. Suggestions are made for improving the efficiency of change over experiments using cyclic designs to estimate residual effects. The overall level of milk production from these pastures was low (8-10 kg/cow/day). Cows grazing Digitaria decumbens produced significantly more milk than those on Chloris gayana and Setaria sphacelata, most probably due to a higher consumption of herbage. Similar milk production was obtained from cows grazing Chloris gayana and Setaria sphacelata although milk from the latter tended to contain a lower percentage butterfat.
Observations on the short-tailed sheep of the Malay Peninsula with special reference to their wool follicle characteristics
Authors: Smith ID , Clarke WH
Published: March 2005

The sheep of the Malay Peninsula are described and the results of an examination of skin samples from 53 adult sheep from different Malaysian states in part of the Peninsula are presented. Values were obtained for density of follicles, secondary : primary follicle ratio, mean fibre thickness, fibre thickness ratio, occurrence of medullation, and shedding of fibre population. On the basis of their fleece structure, the sheep of the Malay Peninsula can be considered to be of one distinct breed, the Kelantan. This short-tailed breed, with a follicle population similar to the most primitive breeds recorded, is almost certainly related to the indigenous short-tailed sheep of central Asia. The Kelantan sheep should be considered in any evaluation of African and Asian breeds for carpet wool production in tropical and sub-tropical areas of Australia.
The influence of grazing management on regrowth of lucerne in late autumn and winter
Authors: Tomes GJ , King GW , McFarlane JD
Published: March 2005

Grazed, irrigated lucerne on alluvial soil was subjected to different spelling times in autumn, to determine the effects of these treatments on subsequent production in late autumn and in winter. Dry matter yields, shoot numbers per plant, shoot length, and average dry weight of shoots, were all substantially increased in the autumn-winter period by allowing longer regrowth periods before defoliation in autumn. Treatment effects still present, but of reduced magnitude, in the second grazing cycle after the different recovery periods were imposed.
The initial and residual responses to phosphorus fertilizers of Townsville stylo in pure ungrazed swards at Katherine, N.T
Authors: Fisher MJ , Campbell NA
Published: March 2005

The response of a pure sward of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) to various initial and annual dressings of both superphosphate and calcined Christmas Island C-grade phosphate (CCICP) was determined in a field experiment at Katherine, N.T. Townsville stylo responded to superphosphate up to at least 750 kg ha-1. Initial responses and residual effects in the second year and three-year totals were much greater with superphosphate than with CCICP. CCICP gave very variable yields in the second and third years. Nitrogen concentrations were not affected by applied phosphorus but phosphorus concentrations were increased, more by superphosphate than by CCICP. Residual values of superphosphate were derived from Mitscherlich curves fitted to phosphorus yield data, and from these it was determined that 250 kg ha-1 initial and 100 kg ha-1 annual dressing of superphosphate would give stable uptake of phosphorus at the same level as 250 kg ha-1 in the initial year.
Quantitative reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride as a measure of viability in cereal seeds
Authors: Harty RL , Paleg LG , Aspinall D
Published: March 2005

The reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) to a coloured formazan derivative by dehydrogenase enzyme systems in viable seeds has been examined. TTC reduction occurs in dry but not wetmilled tissue and the coloured product could be extracted by any of several organic solvents. This formazan product was estimated spectrophotometrically at 480 nm. The influence of fineness of grinding the tissue, TTC concentration, period of treatment, sample size, vacuum infiltration of the milled tissue with TTC and of extracting solvent were examined and a standard procedure is suggested. Using this procedure, a close correlation between seed viability and TTC reduction was demonstrated. The advantages of this method over the widely used topographical method for estimating seed viability with TTC are discussed.
Chondrilla juncea in Australia. 4. Root morphology and regeneration from root fragments
Authors: Cuthbertson EG
Published: March 2005

The morphology of the root system of Chondrilla juncea and its response to changes in soil type near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, is described. The root system is described as consisting of vigorous long roots capable of vegetative reproduction at any depth and short roots, apparently without secondary thickening, of limited life span. The long root system consists of a simple tap root and a number of surface laterals, which increase in frequency and extent of lateral spread as soil clay content decreases. The relationship between plant age, growth stage, and depth of origin, as well as depth of planting and soil type, on shoot production from root fragments also was studied. Root fragments from depths to 80 cm and more did not differ appreciably in regenerative capacity. But, whereas shoot buds formed on some seedling roots two to four weeks after germination, all such roots formed buds five weeks after germination. Soil type and depth of planting did not affect shoot production from root fragments per s e, but establishment of new plants fell as depth of planting increased. A comparison of vegetative and reproductive plant roots of similar age showed that regenerative capacity was minimal during the reproductive growth phase. The inhibition of shoot bud formation on the roots, however, was confined to the proximal 40 cm. It is suggested that weed control operations are likely to be more effective when carried out shortly after stem initiation than at other times.
Aspects of long-term use of herbicides: measurement of residues of diuron and simazine in an orchard soil
Authors: Bowmer KH
Published: March 2005

At Bathurst, New South Wales, an apple orchard was treated with diuron and simazine annually for six years. One year after the last application the distribution of herbicide residues in the soil was estimated using a biological method. For simazine the usefulness of the alkali flame detector in gas-liquid chromatographic analysis was also investigated ; convenience and sensitivity compared favourably with bioassay. Residues of diuron and simazine in the surface soil (0-5 cm) represented 36-46 and 2-3 per cent of the annual application respectively. Diuron occurred to a depth of 40 cm but simazine was confined to the surface 15 cm of soil. Diuron residues were greater than expected from reports in the literature and apple trees exposed to high levels were damaged severely ; however, at recommended levels symptoms were only mild. Simazine had no deleterious effect on the trees even after application for six years at three times recommended levels.
A maternal productive index for beef cows
Authors: Beilharz RG
Published: March 2005

To evaluate beef cows on their reproductive performance a maternal productive index (M.P.I.) was developed as an alternative to their evaluation in terms of simpler traits, or in terms of a conventional selection index based on simple traits. Data on M.P.I. were obtained from Hereford cows on three grazing treatments each containing three groups of cows differentiated by last breeding season (i.e. presence and age of calf at foot). The same cows were also scored for coat type on two occasions in late spring and early summer. The magnitude and change of coat score are explained by the hypothesis that nutritional stress delays the cycle of shedding of winter coat and its replacement by a sleek coat. Analysis of the correlations between coat score data and M.P.I. shows that low M.P.I. is also associated with a delay in change of coat type. This suggests that M.P.I. is an indication of adaptation of cows to their environment with poorly adapted animals suffering a greater stress. Because M.P.I. is a direct measure of a very important goal of beef cattle breeding it should be used widely in selection (or culling) of beef cows. Whether genetic progress will be faster than through the use of simpler traits, may be judged once genetic parameters have been estimated for M.P.I.
Supplementary feeding of grazing Merino ewe weaners
Authors: McManus WR , Kennedy TG
Published: March 2005

Merino ewe weaner lambs grazing at a high stocking rate for 32 weeks in the Wellington region of New South Wales were fed two levels (low, medium) of oat grain plus lucerne hay supplement. Insignificant fleece-adjusted liveweight gain and significant, but small, (2.8 per cent and 9.9 per cent) increases in clean fleece weight resulted for the low and medium groups. Feeding reduced fleece tenderness and altered wool handle and colour. Merino weaner ewes grazing improved pastures at Yass were supplemented with oat grain for 12 weeks in the late summer-early autumn. There was a temporary increase in woo1 production and liveweight but subsequent fertility was not improved. The responses obtained to treatment in both trials appear to be uneconomic
Physical form and energy concentrations of broiler diets
Authors: Yule WJ
Published: March 2005

Commercial broilers were reared in controlled environment houses to nine weeks of age at 464 cm2 of floor space per bird. The treatments over the starter and finisher phases were two metabolizable energy concentrations of 11.5 and 13.2 MJ kg-1 each in either mash or pelleted form with a commercial pellet treatment as a control. Dietary energy content was negatively correlated with food conversion ratio but did not significantly influence liveweight. Pelleting significantly increased liveweight and improved food efficiency. There was no evidence of an interaction between dietary energy content and physical form of the diet. The increased cost of the higher energy diet counterbalanced the decreased food consumption per unit of body weight.
The roughage requirement of early weaned calves
Authors: Kellaway RC , Grant T , Chudleigh JW
Published: March 2005

Eighty-four calves were weaned at five weeks of age on to barley-based pellets containing 0, 15 or 30 per cent oat pollards. An additional treatment was to provide access or no access to long straw. Growth rates from six to ten weeks were 0.75 and 0.50 kg day-1 for calves with and without access to long straw, respectively (P < 0.001 ). As the content of oat pollards in the pellets increased, pellet intake increased so that growth rates were maintained when calves had access to long straw, and increased when long straw was not available. However, the highest growth rate of calves without long straw was still 0.14 kg day-1 lower than the lowest average growth rates of calves with access to long straw. These results are discussed in relation to the buffering capacity of the rumen in young calves.
Production feeding of lambs with diets based on grain. 1. Whole wheat plus sodium buffers or sodium chloride
Authors: Saville DG , Davis CH , Willats HG , McInnes P
Published: March 2005

Lambs fattened on wheat diets were given supplements of sodium buffers and sodium chloride, and feed intake, body weight changes, and plasma mineral levels were measured. During the 84-day feeding period, daily feed intakes were 42 per cent higher and body weigh: increased by 36 per cent when wheat was supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and disodium hydrogen phosphate, or sodium chloride. When the diet was supplemented with disodium hydrogen phosphate body weight gains and feed intakes were lower than with the other supplements. This supplement also produced a high incidence of urinary calculi and this was not overcome by increasing the calcium level in the diet. The importance of these results in relation to grain feeding and buffer supplementation is discussed.
Drought feeding of sheep. 3. The relative importance of components of wool growth in explaining the wool growth differences between strains and diets
Authors: Saville DG , Gleeson AC , McManus WR
Published: March 2005

This paper reports the changes in wool components with differences in wool growth resulting from differences in strain of sheep and diet, and the importance of these in relation to selecting a strain of Merino for the drier pastoral areas. Measurements of body weight, fold score, staple length, fibre diameter and follicle density were taken from Collinsville, Peppin and Bungaree ewes grazing natural pasture at Trangie and also when given a maintenance ration containing different grains, different protein supplements and formaldehyde treatment of these protein supplements. At pasture the Collinsville strain produced more wool with little increase in fibre diameter, when compared with the Peppins, and this resulted in the Collinsville strain being more profitable under pasture conditions than either the Peppins or Bungarees. When given a survival ration, similar changes in wool growth and the components occurred in each strain helping to maintain the profitable advantage of the Collinsvilles. The effect of the dietary treatments on wool growth occurred mainly through changes in fibre diameter and length. It is concluded that the choice of a particular strain of sheep for use in drier areas should not be influenced by the nutritional environment under which they are chosen.
Decorticated safflower meal as a protein supplement for sorghum and wheat based pig diets
Authors: Williams KC , Daniels LJ
Published: March 2005

Ninety-six Large White pigs were used in four experiments to compare supplements of decorticated safflower meal with soybean meal in either sorghum or wheat based 'grower-finisher' diets. Synthetic lysine, fishmeal and combinations of safflower meal-fishmeal and safflower meal-fishmeal-synthetic lysine were tested as supplements. Decorticated safflower meal was found to be unsatisfactory as the sole supplementary protein source for sorghum and wheat based diets for pigs. The growth response to the safflower meal was increased by the addition of synthetic lysine but the performance of pigs receiving these lysine enriched safflower meal supplements was always inferior to those fed either isonitrogenous soybean meal or fishmeal supplements in both sorghum and wheat based diets. Increasing safflower protein contribution in the safflower mealfishmeal diets resulted in poorer feed conversion ratios and growth rates, particularly when fed to pigs less than 45 kg live weight. The results showed that if safflower meal was to be used in pig diets, it should be used in conjunction with 'lysine rich' protein concentrates and restricted to pigs exceeding 45 kg liveweight.
A comparison of fertilizer programmes for the development and maintenance of sown pasture on a sulphur deficient basaltic soil
Authors: McLachlan KD , De Marco DG
Published: March 2005

Calcium sulphate was applied initially at rates equivalent to 0, 8.4, 16.8, 33.6 or 50.4 kg sulphur ha-1 to an existing subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) -phalaris (Phalaris tuberosa) sward. At two of these rates, 8.4 and 33.6 kg sulphur ha-1, four maintenance levels (0, 8.4, 16.8 and 33.6 kg) were applied in each of the succeeding three years. In the production of dry matter, most efficient use of the fertilizer was made when the requirement of the pasture (33.6 kg S ha-1) was fully met in the first year, and subsequent annual dressings were made at the rate of 8.4 kg S ha-1 a year. Plant response was related to the level of sulphur available, and the success of particular programmes depended on the rapidity with which the potential yield of the pasture was realized under them. There was evidence, with the change from clover to grass dominance, that grass made more efficient use of residual sulphur in producing dry matter than did clover. Low maintenance rates were effective because they enhanced the residual value of the initial application.
Studies on some deep sandy soils in Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland. 1. Morphological and chemical characteristics
Authors: Isbell RF , Gillman GP
Published: March 2005

Deep sandy soils overlying granitic rocks are widespread in Cape York Peninsula. Rainfall is summer dominant and the annual mean is 1140 mm. Evidence is presented that some of the soils are weakly podzolised and some soil properties are influenced by an underlying clay horizon at depth. The method of soil sampling adopted permits a statistical estimate of the variability of soil chemical properties. Most data for the surface soils of this group have a sufficiently low variability both within and between sites to allow an assessment of plant nutrient status derived from associated experiments in field and glasshouse to be generally applicable throughout the region. All soils are very low in organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and exchangeable cations.
The effect of formaldehyde treatment of barley on productive performance of Friesian steers
Authors: Lloyd Davies H , Faichney GJ
Published: March 2005

Mating and lambing over a three-year period (1968 to 1970) were studied for a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. Rams were joined with ewes over a six-week period either in February-March or in April-May and the ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 75, and 10 ewes per hectare). The proportion of ewes that lambed and the number of lambs born per ewe were greater when ewes were joined in April-May than in February-March. For the later joining there was little effect of stocking rate on either the proportion of ewes lambing or the number of lambs born per ewe. However, when ewes were joined in February-March, both the proportion of ewes lambing and the number of lambs born per ewe were reduced with each increase in stocking rate. Failure of ewes to lamb was a problem among maiden ewes in 1968 and was more pronounced for the ewes joined early than for those joined later in the breeding season. Among ewes stocked at 5 per hectare the proportion returning to service was higher than among ewes stocked at 73 and 10 per hectare.
Effect of fertilizer nitrogen on digestibility and voluntary intake of Chloris gayana, Digitaria decumbens and Pennisetum clandestinum
Authors: Minson DJ
Published: March 2005

On five occasions during the growing season Chloris gayana, Digitaria decumbens and Pennisetum clandestinum were fertilized with urea at 125 or 500 kg ha-1 and cut after one month's regrowth. The minimum nitrogen level in herbage was 0.96 per cent and hence voluntary intake of these feeds was not limited by a nitrogen deficiency per se. Fertilizing at the high level increased dry matter yield (P < 0.01) and depressed the leaf percentage significantly in C. gayana. Each cut was fed to ten wethers to determine digestibility and voluntary intake. The higher rate of nitrogen fertilizer increased the overall mean dry matter digestibility 2.2 per cent, organic matter digestibility 1.3 per cent and voluntary intake of dry matter 2.3 gWkg0.75 (P > 0.05). Within the harvests significant increases and decreases in digestibility and voluntary intake were found. The direction and magnitude of these changes in feeding value were not correlated with differences in yield, leaf percentage or nitrogen content.
The effect of time between preparation and use on the activity of benomyl and thiophanate methyl dips against Sclerotinia fructicola
Authors: Koffman W
Published: March 2005

A study was undertaken on the relation between the age of the suspension and the effectiveness of two fungicides. Samples of two dessert varieties of peaches that had been artificially inoculated with spores of the brown rot fungus Sclerotinia fructicola (Wint.) Rehm were dipped in suspensions of thiophanate methyl (400, 800, and 1,600 p.p.m.) and benomyl (75, 150, and 300 p.p.m.) on the day the dips were mixed and four and eight days later. Brown rot decreased markedly with increase in the period of standing of the fungicidal dip after preparation, and with increase in concentration of both fungicides. Benomyl was the more effective.
Evaluation of natural annual pastures at Trangie in central western New South Wales. 1. Sheep production
Authors: Campbell RJ , Saville DG , Robards GE
Published: March 2005

Natural annual pasture at Trangie, New South Wales, was set stocked from August, 1967 to December 1970 at rates of 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 merino wethers per ha to determine an optimum stocking rate for the pasture type. All stocking rates were supported without the necessity to hand feed any sheep. Wool production per head was reduced significantly by increased stocking rate in 1968, but not in 1969 and 1970. The suppression of barley grass at the higher stocking rates appeared to benefit animal production in 1969. Substitution of portion of the natural annual pasture with areas of lucerne or natural perennial pasture was also investigated and found to be ineffective in increasing wool production per head above that of wethers at similar rates of stocking on natural annual pasture alone. Possible reasons for the apparent failure of the grazing supplements, particularly lucerne, are discussed in terms of grazing pressure and management strategies.
The digestibility and the nitrogen, phosphorus and ash contents of the leaves of some Australian trees and shrubs
Authors: McLeod MN
Published: March 2005

The dry matter digestibility measured in vitro and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and ash were determined on the leaves from mature trees of twenty-one species growing in two arboreta in southeastern Queensland and known to be grazed by animals. Most of the leaf samples had digestibilities in the lower range (68 per cent samples < 50 per cent D.M.D.) and low ash levels (65 per cent samples < 7 per cent ash). Nitrogen levels were satisfactory (86 per cent samples in range 1.5-3.0 per cent N) but the level of phosphorus tended to be low (84 per cent samples < 0.20 per cent P). Statistically significant variation between individual trees and seasons was found with some species.
Influence of time and level of urea application on seed production of Paspalum plicatulum at Mt. Cotton, south-eastern Queensland
Authors: Chadhokar PA , Humphreys LR
Published: March 2005

Five levels of urea were applied as single or split dressings in early summer, at floral initiation (about Febraury 14), or at inflorescence exsertion to Paspalum plicatulum cv. Rodds Bay grown in rows on a red-yellow podzolic soil. All components of seed yield-tiller density, tiller fertility, raceme number and seed number, and seed size-were influenced by external nitrogen supply. The effects of adequate nitrogen supply during one development phase usually persisted subsequently when differences in plant nitrogen concentration had disappeared. Nitrogen applications during the vegetative and floral initiation stages were most influential. The efficiency of response varied from 5.6 kg additional crude seed produced per kg N at the 50 kg N ha-1 level to 1.2 at the 400 kg N ha -1 level. High levels of urea (200 or 400 kg N ha-1) induced lodging and poor recovery of seed at harvest during a wet year, accentuated moisture stress during a dry year, but improved seed viability.
A study of inoculation and sowing methods for Trifolium subterraneum in New South Wales
Authors: Roughley RJ , Walker MH
Published: March 2005

The effects of treatments known to influence the nodulation of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were tested at 32 sites in New South Wales. The influence of the treatments varied but where positive effects were obtained the results generally corroborated earlier findings. At soil pH values below 5.5, lime pelleting was generally superior to slurry inoculation without lime but still better nodulation resulted from drilling inoculated seed with equal parts of lime and superphosphate. The results highlighted the difficulty of predicting the need to inoculate seed to achieve effective nodulation. The soil texture and pH, presence of the host plant and the previous history of the site were not reliable guides. Nodulation was generally improved by separating seed and superphosphate and by drilling seed rather than broadcasting it even if covered later.
Selection of cultivars for soft wheat quality. 2. Small scale tests of soft wheat quality
Authors: Moss HJ , Edwards CS , Goodchild NA
Published: March 2005

Ten small scale tests of soft wheat quality have been investigated for their ability to discriminate between cultivars, and to arrange a series of samples in order of acceptability according to soft wheat criteria. The tests were grain size, fibre, protein, and ash content, pearling resistance, wheatmeal granularity, wheatmeal fermentation time, milling yield (Brabender Quadrumat Mill), sedimentation value and alkaline water retention capacity of the flour. Grain fibre and pearling resistance ranked cultivars in the same order irrespective of location or season, but the ranking according to other tests depended on environmental features. No small scale test nor combination of small scale tests was satisfactory at all sites for predictive purposes. Within most single-cultivar groups grains became harder as they became larger, while the protein level simultaneously declined.
Fertility studies of pasture soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland. 6. Soils derived from beach sand
Authors: Teitzel JK , Bruce RC
Published: March 2005

Plant growth studies and chemical analyses revealed severe and widespread deficiencies of phosphorus and copper, but in the case of phosphorus, deficiency is easily changed to toxicity by heavy fertilizer application. Potassium deficiency is less severe but fairly widespread. Calcium treatment functioned in different ways and produced both positive and negative responses. Other deficiencies recorded include zinc, molybdenum, sulphur, and boron.
Wheat as a survival ration for sheep. 1. The digestion of wheat and formaldehyde treated wheat
Authors: Langlands JP
Published: March 2005

The digestibility of wheat and formaldehyde (HCHO) treated wheat and the metabolites formed during their digestion were examined in three experiments. The wheat ranged in nitrogen content from 2.4 to 2.6 g N/100 g organic matter. HCHO treatment had little effect on organic matter digestibility or on the proportions of individual volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen although total VFA concentration and the proportion of organic matter digested in the stomach declined. The effect of HCHO treatment on apparent nitrogen digestibility varied between experiments although N retention and the quantity of nitrogen digested in the intestines were generally increased. The addition of urea to HCHO treated diets had no effect on digestibility, the quantity of N digested in the intestine, the concentration of total VFA or on the proportions of individual acids. Abomasal infusion of L-lysine hydrochloride and DL-methionine induced a small but not significant increase in nitrogen retention.
The performance of cattle fed crushed sorghum, and whole, crushed or dehulled rice grain based rations
Authors: Moran JB
Published: March 2005

Santa Gertrudis and Africander crossbred steers were fed rations based on crushed sorghum, whole paddy rice, crushed paddy rice and whole dehulled rice grains for 111 days. The animals were then slaughtered and their carcase quality and composition was assessed. The animals fed the crushed sorghum had the highest dry matter intake and liveweight gains but those fed the crushed rice had the lowest feed conversion ratio. The group fed the paddy rice, ate the least, gained the least weight and had the highest feed conversion ratio. Carcases from the group fed crushed sorghum had the highest weight, appraisal scores and fat content. Carcases from the group fed whole paddy rice were the lightest, scored lowest for quality and had the highest bone and muscle contents. There were significant correlation coefficients between liveweight gain and all carcase measurements; this suggests that the type of feedlot ration had little effect on carcase development.
The seasonal growth of lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) on deep sandy soils in a semi-arid environment
Authors: Farrington P
Published: March 2005

The potential of lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) as a perennial pasture grass on deep sandy soils in the Western Australian wheatbelt was studied at 20 deep sand sites near Meckering. The seasonal growth pattern of lovegrass resulted in over 80 per cent of annual dry matter yield being produced outside the period of most effective rainfall (April-August). Yields were considerably higher than that of annual pastures on similar soils. Highest grass yields were obtained at sites with a water table within 150 cm of the ground surface. Lovegrass is unlikely to succeed at sites without a water table because of inadequate moisture availability in summer. Two features at present detract from its value as a pasture grass in the region. Slow growth rates in winter reduce its ability to compete with winter growing annual pasture species. Low nutrient concentrations during the warmer months, especially at the highest yielding sites are likely to limit its forage value to stock. The reasons for the low nutrient concentrations are discussed.
Studies on some deep sandy soils in Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland. 3. Losses of applied phosphorus and sulphur
Authors: Gillman GP
Published: March 2005

Losses of applied phosphorus and sulphur from a 100 cm profile of a deep siliceous sandy soil in Cape York Peninsula have been studied in the field over a period of three wet seasons. The P and S was applied in two treatments: superphosphate (880 kg ha-1) and 'biosuper' (1072 kg ha-1). About 50 per cent of the applied P was lost from the top 30 cm of the profile but all remained in the 100 cm depth. Only 10-30 per cent of the applied S was recovered in the 100 cm profile. Zones of P accumulation were generally related to Fe and Al content of the soil horizons. Legume growth and composition over the three seasons was adequate, and reasons for this are discussed.