bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of soils, fertilizers and stocking rates on pastures and beef production on the Wallum of South-East Queensland. 4. Budgetary appraisals of fertilizer and stocking rates
Authors: Firth JA , Evans TR , Bryan WW
Published: March 2005

Comparative budgeting techniques have been applied to the results of a grazing experiment in which the effects of different stocking rates and maintenance levels of fertilizer were examined. The experiment was carried out on grass/legume pastures in the coastal lowlands of south-east Queensland. The economic appraisal is of an investment project based on fattening purchased store cattle. Extrapolative trends have been fitted to the pattern of pasture production emerging from the first six years of an experimental period, to enable the life of the project to extend over a twenty year period. The recent sharp increases in the price of superphosphate and potassium fertilizer have had a marked effect on intensive beef production on improved pastures which is illustrated in this analysis. Pasture maintenance costs (principally fertilizer inputs) appear as the largest component of annual operating costs in most systems. The budgets indicate that at July 1973 fertilizer prices the positive internal rates of return of the various grazing systems range from 4.2 per cent to 13.2 per cent at a beef price of $0.77 kg-1 dressed weight. The highest return was obtained from a system in which 250 kg ha-1 single superphosphate and 63 kg ha-1 potassium chloride were applied annually and at a stocking rate of 1.65 beasts ha-1. These returns are reduced to a high of 10.4 per cent when 1974 fertilizer prices are incorporated. At beef prices of $0.66 kg-1, all systems but one were found to have negative internal rates of return. Assuming beef prices of $0.88 kg-1, most treatments were associated with positive internal rates of return, generally well above 10 per cent, ranging up to 20 per cent. Most of the calculations, by excluding land values from the budgeted cash flows, assume that unimproved land is already available at no charge to the investor. A series of supplementary budgets indicate the level of returns that could be expected if unimproved land commanded values of up to $200 ha-1.
An investigation into citrus fruit quality problems associated with nutrition in the Murrambidgee Irrigation Areas
Authors: Moss GI , Higgins ML
Published: March 2005

High juice acidity in Late Valencia oranges (on Poncirus trifoliata rootstock) was found to be a problem in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas (M.I.A.). The problem was investigated by surveying 36 farms in 1971 and 20 farms in 1972. In 1971 about one third of farms produced fruit with citric acid levels above 1.4 per cent; in 1972 fruit from all farms were above this level. High acid levels were associated with excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer. Leaf analyses indicated that nitrogen and potassium levels were above the optimum, phosphorus levels were satisfactory in most cases. Magnesium levels were high-above 0.4 per cent in most instances associated with the high level of exchangeable Mg in the soils, and P. trifoliata rootstock tended to accumulate this element. Juice K and leaf Mg were highly correlated with juice acidity (r = 0.50** and r = 0.38*) and leaf Ca was correlated with the brixlacid ratio (r = 0.46*). Juice nitrogen was correlated with juice acidity.
Effect of age, sex and fertility on the optimal structure of a static self-replacing ewe and wether flock
Authors: Jardine R , Mullaney PD , Turnbull ED , Egan JK
Published: March 2005

This study investigated the optimal structure of a closed ewe and wether flock producing wool and meat. A range of price-weighted (net of a fixed set of costs) combinations of these products was considered, and optimal structures determined for each. The aim of the study was to throw some light on the effects of the main biological factors-age, sex and fertility-on flock structure (given that there is no nutritional stress). The general conclusions were that the optimal structure shifts from disposing of wethers as lambs and ewes as 5.5-year olds to disposing of wethers as 3.5-year olds and ewes as 4.5-year olds, as fertility declines or meat declines in value relative to wool. However, the former structure tends to dominate and is optimal over a wide range of conditions.
Stability of the Townsville stylo-annual grass pasture ecosystem on cleared Tippera clay loam
Authors: Torssell BWR
Published: March 2005

Competition was measured between the annual self-seeding legume Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) and each of the annual grass weeds Digitaria ciliaris, Brachiaria pubrigera, Echinochloa crus-galli and Brachyachne convergens. Digitaria was the most competitive of the grasses, all of which were stronger competitors than the legume in the main period of growth. The results of the competition experiments assisted in interpretation of nine years' observations of vegetation pattern in a Stylosanthes pasture sown in a cleared woodland on Tippera clay loam at Katherine, N.T. An apparently stable situation was reached in the eighth year, when the legume occupied 14 per cent, palatable grasses (primarily annuals) 3 per cent and unpalatable grasses (Brachyachne, Aristida) and bare ground 83 per cent of the pasture area, the corresponding dry matter yields being 12, 35 and 53 per cent respectively of the total pasture yield. The Townsville stylo-annual grass pasture ecosystem is basically unstable in cleared and ploughed woodland where it will persist only under careful grazing management. It is suggested that, for the situation studied, Stylosanthes humilis should be replaced by Stylosanthes hamata, since in other experiments it has proved more competitive than Stylosanthes humilis. The implication of the results for further land development and experimentation in the Katherine area is briefly discussed.
Suppression of the emergence of wheat and barley by mancozeb
Authors: Kollmorgen JF , Ballinger DJ
Published: March 2005

Field studies were made to determine whether the seed dressing mancozeb 75 per cent was responsible for the poor emergence of wheat and barley observed in 1974. Four experiments were conducted, and, in two of these, wheat seed from batches that had produced poor commercial stands after treatment with the fungicide was used. The effect of the fungicides MBC 50 per cent, carboxin 75 per cent, thiabendazole 40 per cent, benomyl 10 per cent and fenaminosulf 7.5 per cent was also compared with mancozeb. Mancozeb reduced emergence of wheat and barley even when seed was sown in the season it was treated. When its effect on establishment of eight cultivars of wheat was compared with the other fungicides it reduced emergence to the greatest extent. Laboratory studies designed to elucidate the cause of reduced emergence in the presence of mancozeb 75 per cent established that it reduced both germination and coleoptile length. The studies suggested that reduced emergence in the field was due to the first leaf splitting the coleoptile prematurely.
Effects of temperature on development and progression in rape of crown canker caused by Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: Barbetti MJ
Published: March 2005

Aspects of the development and progression of blackleg crown canker in rape seedlings (Brassica napus and B. campestris), following stem infection by L. maculans ascospores were examined at three temperature regimes; 12/7�C, 18/11�C, and 24/15�C. Crown cankers were produced at all temperatures on seedlings inoculated one week after germination. Temperature regime was shown to be a major factor determining the time of first appearance of crown cankers after inoculation; 12/7�C being the least favourable for crown canker development of the three regimes used. Temperature regime had a significant effect upon the time taken for infected plants to die, the 12/7�C regime being the optimum for slowest plant death, Infected B. napus plants died at a faster rate than B. campestris. Temperature regime was also shown to influence the nature, or type, of crown canker that developed.
Possible alternatives to DDT for control of plague thrips in apples
Authors: Lloyd NC
Published: March 2005

Seven insecticides were tested as possible alternatives to DDT for control of plague thrips, Thrips imaginis, in Granny Smith apples in a field trial at Bathurst Agricultural Research Station in October 1971. Thrips were moderately plentiful but the infestation was insufficient to impose severe pressure on the treatments. None of the treatments was as effective as the standard 0.1 per cent a.i. DDT. However, 0.1 per cent a.i. TDE, 0.066 per cent a.i. endosulfan, 0.06 per cent a.i. maldison, 0.2 per cent a.i. methoxychlor and 0.1 per cent a.i. tetrachlorvinphos were sufficiently effective to be considered as possible alternatives. Chlorcam 0.1 5 per cent a.i. and phosalone 0.06 per cent a.i. were less effective in reducing thrips numbers but phosalone was as effective as some other treatments in reducing damage to styles. In a separate sub-trial, using Granny Smith, Democrat and Jonathan varieties, maldison, endosulfan and methoxychlor were less repellent to bees than was the standard DDT treatment. TDE and tetrachlorvinphos were not significantly less repellent than DDT. The only significant tree injury was a severe browning and premature drop of petals on all three varieties when TDE and methoxychlor were sprayed at full bloom.
Effects of stocking rate and energy supplementation on milk production from tropical grass-legume pasture
Authors: Cowan RT , Byford IJR , Stobbs TH
Published: March 2005

Forty Friesian cows were grazed continuously on a green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume)/glycine (Glycine wightii cv. Tinaroo) pasture at stocking rates of 1.3, 1.6, 1.9 and 2.5 cows ha-1 for two years on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland. A supplement of 3.6 kg crushed maize cow-1 day-1 was fed for 50 days post-partum to half the cows in each group in both years. Milk yield per cow was reduced from 3811 kg lactation-1 at 1.3 cows ha-l to 3289 kg lactation-1 at 2.5 cows ha-1. With increasing stocking rate milk yield per hectare increased linearly to 8309 kg ha-1 at 2.5 cows ha-1. At 1.9 and 2.5 cows ha-1 cows lost weight over the two years and in late lactation levels of milk solids were often low. Also at these stocking rates cows had to be supplemented for up to 60 days during the main dry season. Legume content of the pasture declined linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing stocking rates. Maize feeding in early lactation increased milk yield over the total lactation by approximately 12 per cent, the response being 2.3 kg milk per kg maize fed, Response was greater at lighter stocking rates as cows in the heavier stocking rate treatments dried off prematurely. It was concluded that per hectare milk production from tropical grass/legume pastures can approach that from temperate pastures and that energy supplementation early in lactation would substantially increase per cow production.
The influence of high ambient temperatures and plane of nutrition on wool growth rates of tropical sheep
Authors: Entwistle KW
Published: March 2005

The wool production of two groups of tropical Merino sheep subjected to a simulated summer circadian temperature regimen, and fed either high or low quality diets, was compared with that of two other groups under similar nutritional conditions but held at prevailing winter ambient temperatures. The nutritional treatments were imposed for the duration of the experiment; the temperature treatments consisted of a. pre-experimental period of three weeks in which all groups were held at prevailing ambient temperatures b. heat adaptation period of one week in which the heat treatment groups were subjected to gradual increases in the circadian temperature regimen c. heat treatment period of three weeks in which the heat treatment groups were exposed to a circadian temperature regimen in which air temperatures were in excess of 38�C for approximately 7 hours day-1d. post heat treatment period of three weeks in which all groups were held at prevailing ambient temperatures. Temperature treatment had no effect on feed intake or liveweight gain; however, intakes progressively decreased in groups on the low quality diet with a similar decrease in liveweight. Wool growth rates were unaffected by temperature treatment, but were significantly lower in animals on the low quality diet. The possible significance of these results to the wool production of tropical sheep is discussed.
Influence of water salinity on sheep performance while grazing on natural grassland and saltbush pastures
Authors: Wilson AD
Published: March 2005

Merino sheep grazing a semi-arid natural grassland were given water containing 0.0, 1.2, 1.6 or 2.0 per cent (w/v) soluble salts and similar sheep grazing on saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) were given water containing 0.0, 0.8, 1.2 or 1.6 per cent soluble salts. The saline water was made up from sodium chloride and magnesium sulphate to give an ionic concentration similar to that occurring in natural underground waters. On grassland, 1.2 per cent saline water was without effect on the sheep, 1.6 per cent water reduced weight and wool growth in the first year and 2.0 per cent water reduced both wool growth and body weight by a significant amount. The effects were confined to the summer period of November to March. On saltbush, the results for four years were essentially similar to those for sheep on the grassland, although the effects of 1.2 per cent and 1.6 per cent saline waters were more pronounced. However, in the fifth year when drought conditions prevailed, the effects of both these treatments were more severe Water intakes were up to 1 lday-1 higher on the saline water treatments than on the fresh water, except when water intakes of the sheep on saltbush were high (7-11 lday-1) and then water salinity reduced water intakes. It was concluded that water salinities up to 1.2 per cent on grassland and 0.8 per cent on saltbush will not affect sheep productivity. Higher concentration (up to 1.6 per cent on grassland and 1.2 per cent on saltbush) can be used for adult sheep when forage conditions are good.
Studies on seed pelleting as an aid to legume seed inoculation. 4. Examination of preinoculated seed
Authors: Brockwell J , Herridge DF , Roughley RJ , Thompson JA , Gault RR
Published: March 2005

Samples of preinoculated legume seed were obtained from commercial outlets in southeastern Australia and compared with seed inoculated in the laboratory at currently recommended rates for the numbers of rhizobia associated with the seed and performance when grown in the field and in soil in a glasshouse. There were more than 100 times as many rhizobia on laboratory-inoculated seed as on preinoculated seed. There were no detectable rhizobia on three of the 48 samples of preinoculated seed examined, 22 other samples carried very low numbers, and all but one fell below standards derived from Australian lnoculant Research and Control Service requirements. When grown in soil containing naturally-occurring or added rhizobia, laboratory-inoculated seed was generally superior to preinoculated seed in percentage recovery of inoculant strains from nodules. The differences became greater as the size of soil populations of rhizobia increased. Where naturally-occurring rhizobia were few in number or absent nodulation was satisfactory provided that the seed carried viable rhizobia at time of sowing. The numbers of rhizobia associated with laboratory preparations of inoculated seed represented the potential standards that should be the commercial objective. The consistently lower numbers on preinoculated seed indicated that some stage (or stages) of the preinoculation process itself has a letha effect on the inoculant.
Time of sowing for barley in the Victorian Mallee
Authors: Ridge PE , Mock IT
Published: March 2005

The effect of sowing time, from late April to late June, on the development, yield and quality of the mid-season barley cultivar, Weeah, was examined from 1970 to 1972 in the Victorian Mallee. The length of the pre-flowering phase decreased with later sowing and there was a quadratic relationship between yield and sowing date. Grain nitrogen varied inversely with yield.
Maturation of sunflower
Authors: Anderson WK
Published: March 2005

Maturation of sunflowers was recorded in two field sowings at Armidale, New South Wales. Measurements were made to define anthesis, the accumulation of dry weight, oil and fatty acids in the achenes and to determine moisture contents and crop appearance associated with achene maturation. It is suggested that anthesis may be described either as its mid-point, i.e. when 50% of capitula exhibit anthesis over half their area, or by its spread, i.e. the time between 50% of capitula commenced anthesis and 50 %completed anthesis. Maximum achene dry weight was reached in the field when the achene moisture content was about 40 and the capitulum moisture content was about 70%. Both achene oil content and the content of the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic) reached their maxima at about the same time as achene dry weight in the field and this point was thus defined as 'physiological' maturity for sunflowers. It corresponded to when about ten per cent of capitula had turned brown. Production of linoleic and oleic acid was found to predominate in the later stages of achene maturation in both field sowings.
Comparison of some apple rootstocks using Granny Smith and Jonathan as scion varieties
Authors: Cripps JEL , Melville F
Published: March 2005

An apple rootstock experiment designed to find the most suitable rootstocks for Western Australian conditions is described in which Northern Spy, Pomme de Neige seedling rootgrafts and Seedling were compared with Malling Merton 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 111, 113, 11 4, 115, Malling 25 and Merton 793 over a period of fourteen years with Granny Smith and Jonathan as scion varieties. Trees on Northern Spy and MM 104, 106, 109 and 111 carried heavy crops of fruit in proportion to their size. Some members of the Malling Merton series, such as MM 106 and 109, induced precocity of bearing.
Effects of sex and some environmental factors on weaning weight in sheep
Authors: Ransom KP , Mullaney PD
Published: March 2005

The effects of age at weaning, type of birth and rearing, age of dam and sex on weaning weight of lambs were investigated among 4876 Merino and 1221 Poll Dorset lambs over two years on 11 properties in Victoria. The regression coefficients of weaning weight on age at weaning varied considerably between properties. Lambs born and reared as twins were about 15 per cent lighter at weaning than single lambs, and lambs born as twins and reared as singles had about half the handicap. The average weaning weight of lambs increased with age of ewe up till five years and declined thereafter. Corrections to weaning weight for these effects are required for efficient selection. These corrections vary between years and properties. In most flocks there are inadequate numbers of sheep to determine accurate correction factors for each property each year and so standard corrections must be used.
Whole wheat grain feeding of Merino ewes. 1. Influence of level of wheat and vitamin A on water consumption, mortality and ewe liveweight
Authors: Reynolds JA , McManus WR , Roberts EM
Published: March 2005

In experiment 1, three levels of wheat were fed twice weekly to groups of 120 ewes in pens from joining to weaning. The wheat levels were: Ll , 3.4; M1, 4.0 and HI, 4.6 kg (fresh weight) head-1 week-1 and at each level one half of the ewes received vitamin A. A control group was run at pasture. In experiment 2, three levels of wheat were fed, twice weekly to groups of ewes from joining to weaning. At each wheat level 140 ewes were in pens (wheat/pen) and one-half of these received vitamin A; 70 ewes were fed wheat in small paddocks (wheat/paddock). The wheat levels were: L2, 3.9; M2, 5.5 and H2, 7.1 kg (fresh weight) week-1. A control group was run at pasture. Water consumption by ewes in experiment 2 increased curvilinearly with increasing wheat intakes and linearly with temperature and advancing pregnancy. Ewe mortality was not different between treatments in experiment 1. In experiment 2, 24 per cent of ewes fed wheat in pens at the H2 level died between the start of lambing and weaning. Wheat level significantly influenced ewe liveweights. Vitamin A had no effect on the measurements made.
A genetic analysis of the pedigree Landrace pig breed in Australia
Authors: Treacy DA
Published: March 2005

The population dynamics, breed structure and degree of inbreeding of the pedigree Landrace pig population in Australia was investigated. The Landrace registrations increased rapidly after its introduction into Australia in 1959. This period of expansion was followed by a decline in registrations from 1963 to 1967 and then a more gradual increase in both registrations and average herd size from 1968. The Landrace is now the second most important pig breed in Australia. The initial rapid expansion from a small number of foundation stock resulted in a high level of inbreeding (0.69 per cent per generation). The level of migration of breeding stock between states and the tendency for herds within states to exchange breeding stock frequently would have limited the degree of genetic differentiation to a low amount. The Landrace breed has developed a hierarchial structure which is arranged roughly into two strata with the ten major herds contributing 69.6 per cent of the genes to the breed in 1973. Those particular herds and individual animals that have made a large contribution to the breed were identified.
Residues of famphur in bovine tissues and milk following its application as a pour-on insecticide
Authors: Annand AM , Dingle JHP , Heath AB , Palmer WA
Published: March 2005

Three experiments were conducted to determine residues of famphur in tissues and milk of cattle following its topical application. Subcutaneous fat, sampled by biopsy, from animals treated at 150 mg famphur per kg body weight contained maximum residues of famphur (about 10 mg kg-1, average) one day after treatment. Levels of treatment at 50 mg kg-1 and 25 mg kg-1 yielded similar but lower residues after the same period (2.08 and 1.8 p.p.m, respectively). The half-life of famphur residues was independent of the initial residue levels and was calculated as 0.9 day. Mean residues were negligible (highest mean 0.08 p.p.m.) by five days after treatment. Post-mortem sampling of cattle treated with famphur at 45 mg kg-1 showed that at one day and seven days after treatment, residues in fats (up to 1.25 p.p.m. and 0.53 p.p.m. respectively) and muscle (1.41 p.p.m. and 0.71 p.p.m. respectively) were similar but were higher than the negligible levels (0.05 p.p.m. or less) found in liver and kidney. By 14 days, levels in all tissues were very low (0.11 p.p.m. or less). In milk from cows treated with 23 mg famphur kg-1, 76 per cent of the famphur was found in the butterfat and a maximum level (0.237 p.p.m.) in whole milk was found in the first milking after treatment. Residues were negligible (0.008 p.p.m.) by the third day.
Silicon uptake by wheat and its relation to grain yield and water use
Authors: Schultz JE , French RJ
Published: March 2005

The silicon content in wheat in South Australia was measured in 46 experiments over four seasons. The percentage silicon, silicon uptake and its distribution in the plant tops varied greatly. The maximum uptake was 2.4 per cent of the dry matter production, but high yields were obtained with a lesser percentage than this. Of the total silicon uptake, 16-48 per cent was found in the glumes. The correlations between grain yield and silicon, either in the glumes or in the plant, were generally poor. There were significant relationships between water use and silicon. The relationship with silicon uptake in the tops was best and accounted for 77 per cent of the variation in water use but silicon analyses were not a satisfactory measure of water use efficiency. The effect of agronomic practices on the relationships is discussed.
Effects of source and level of fat in the hen's diet on the deposition of dietary oxycarotenoids in egg yolks
Authors: Abu-Serewa S
Published: March 2005

The deposition of dietary oxycarotenoids in egg yolks of 576 hens was studied in a factorial experiment where diets contained three levels (0, 2 and 4 per cent) each of animal tallow and sunflower oil. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and supplemented with 22 mg kg-' of synthetic pigment. The deposition of oxycarotenoids in egg yolks was determined by both visual and colorimetric methods. Supplementing the diet with either or both fats increased the visual score of the yolk colour compared with the unsupplemented control. The colorimetric method showed a similar increase in yolk colour with all supplements except 2 per cent sunflower oil. When the two fats were mixed, yolk colour was deeper when the level of tallow was higher than that of sunflower oil.
Effect of superphosphate, white clover and stocking rate on the productivity of natural pastures, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales
Authors: Robinson GG , Lazenby A
Published: March 2005

The species frequency, pasture availability and animal production on natural pastures oversown with white clover were examined over the five year period 1968-73. Superphosphate was applied annually at different levels (0, 250 and 500 kg ha-1) and the plots were grazed continuously at two stocking rates (7.8 and 15.6 wethers ha-1). An increase in the frequency of white clover (Trifolium repens) and a decrease in bare ground, Panicum spp-Eragrostis spp. and Sporobolus elongatus (in the case of the latter two the effect was particularly evident at the low stocking rate) followed the application of superphosphate. Increasing stocking rate resulted in a reduction in white clover and an increase in the frequency of Panicum spp.-Eragrostis spp. and bare ground. Pasture availability and animal production were increased by superphosphate. Apart from the first year, when the season was unusually dry, supplementary feeding was minimal on all topdressed treatments but was essential at the high stocking rate where no superphosphate was applied. Over the five year period animals on the pastures receiving superphosphate averaged 15 per cent heavier and gave 18 per cent more wool than those that were unfertilized. Wool production at the high stocking rate averaged 17.8 kg ha-1 (49 per cent) more than that from the low stocking rate.
White clover responses to phosphorus and sulphur on granitic soils
Authors: Holford ICR , Gleeson AC
Published: March 2005

Responses in herbage yield, nitrogen uptake and phosphorus uptake by white clover pasture to phosphorus and sulphur application were measured on very phosphorus-deficient granitic soils in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The factorial experiment with six rates of P and three of S was repeated over three years (1966, 1967 and 1968) and at three sites. Coefficients of variation of up to 48 per cent indicated considerable within-site variability in herbage yields. Variation among years was caused mainly by variations in incident rainfall. Very large and highly significant responses in all variables to phosphorus occurred at every harvest regardless of the amount of incident rainfall or applied sulphur. However phosphorus responses were greater with increasing rainfall and in the presence of sulphur. To achieve at least 85 per cent of the maximum recorded yield in any one year, 48 to 73 kg P ha-1, were required. Responses to phosphorus were 1000-2000 kg ha-1 with 150 mm rainfall and up to 3000-4500 kg ha-1 with 450 mm rainfall during the growing season. Responses to sulphur were much smaller and less consistent, and occurred only in the presence of applied phosphorus. They also increased with increasing rainfall. The intermediate rate of 28 kg S ha-1 gave the maximum yield of herbage. Sulphur had a larger effect on nitrogen and phosphorus uptake than on herbage yield.
Pasture seed theft by ants in northern New South Wales
Authors: Johns GG , Greenup LR
Published: March 2005

To obtain probability information for the theft of oversown seed by ants in northern New South Wales, the seasonal pattern of theft of both bare and coated seed of Trifolium repens, Medicago sativa, Festuca arundinacea and Phalaris tuberosa was monitored at both Armidale and Tamworth. Average values for seed removed within 24 hours of placement ranged from < 1 per cent at Armidale and c. 25 per cent at Tamworth during winter to summer values of c. 40 per cent and c. 90 per cent for the two locations respectively. It was concluded that the theft of oversown seed by ants could be a problem in any month at Tamworth and in all but the winter months at Armidale. At both locations more phalaris seed was taken than seed of other species. Using coated seed significantly reduced theft at both locations. However, it was considered that the coating effect may often be of little practical value. At Armidale, theft rates from sites on a lateritic podsol were on average 47 per cent greater than the rates observed at sites on a black earth soil type. Theft rate was related to mean air temperature at both Armidale and Tamworth. For both bare and coated seed the theft rate for a particular temperature was generally much greater at Tamworth than at Armidale. Because of the spatial variability of theft encountered at both locations it was concluded that a simple exponential type extrapolation from the 24 hour theft data for longer periods of time would be unwise.
Effect of benomyl on 'blackleg' disease of rape in Western Australia
Authors: Brown AGP , Barbetti MJ , Wood PM
Published: March 2005

Seed treatments using the fungicide benomyl at 1.1 and 2.2 per cent w/w protected seedling rape from infection by Leptosphaeria maculans under glasshouse conditions but in field experiments with natural infection no worthwhile control of the disease was obtained. Benomyl applied as a spray to rape seedlings in field experiments gave variable but mainly poor control At the maximum rate tried it increased yields at only three out of eight experiment sites.
A comparison between Friesian bulls and steers on pasture for lean meat production
Authors: Mickan FJ , Thomas GW , Spiker SA
Published: March 2005

Growth rate and carcase characteristics were compared for Friesian bulls and steers fed solely on pasture and set stocked at 4.9 animals ha-1 Over a period of 11 3 weeks the animals achieved a mean liveweight gain of 0.5 kg animal-1 day-1. At this level of nutrition no significant difference in the growth rates of the bulls and steers was evident. However, the bulls had a higher dressing percentage (3.4 per cent), a higher percentage yield of meat (5.5 per cent), a lower percentage yield of trim (2.3 per cent), a lower percentage yield of bone (3.1 per cent), a larger eye muscle area (4.9 cm2), a greater carcase weight (1 7 kg), and a greater weight of saleable meat (24.1 kg). The steers had a higher percentage of total carcase in the hindquarter (3.6 per cent).
Liveweight responses by early weaned steers grazed on hay aftermath to supplements of oats, linseed meal and hay
Authors: Morgan JHL , Saul GR
Published: March 2005

Weaned Friesian steers of 130 kg liveweight were offered a range of supplements from January until May while grazing hay aftermath at 5 steers ha-1. Some of the feeds were also given to similar steers in feedlots. The supplements comprised all combinations of oaten grain, linseed meal and pasture hay. Oats and hay were fed separately and ad libitum and the linseed meal was provided as a daily ration alone or mixed with oats. Above average rains fell in December and January but February and March were dry. The pasture supported an average daily gain of 0.55 kg day-1 during the first five weeks when still green but gains declined and responses to the supplements increased after the pastures dried off and especially after the first autumn rains. For steers grazed on pasture, average daily gains (kg day-1) during the 16 weeks of the experiment were: unsupplemented 0.24, supplemented with linseed meal 0.31, hay 0.43, linseed meal and hay 0.63, oats 0.60, oats and hay 0.73, oats and linseed meal 0.97, oats linseed meal and hay 1.01. For steers in feedlot, gains were : oats 0.12, hay 0.33, oats and hay 0.41, oats linseed meal and hay 0.82. The feed consumption of the steers in the feedlot increased with the protein content of the ration and their liveweight gain was closely related to the amount of food consumed.
The effect of rapeseed meal in the diet of young pigs on digestibility of diets and pig performance
Authors: Goold AT , Taverner MR , Hodge RW
Published: March 2005

Twenty-five pigs, weaned at approximately three weeks of age, were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing increasing levels of low glucosinolate rapeseed meal (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 per cent) substituted for equal amounts of protein from meat and bone meal. The diets were offered ad libitum and the pigs' performance and digestibility were recorded from approximately 5 to 21 kg liveweight. The level of rapeseed meal in the diet did not significantly affect either the voluntary feed intake, food conversion ratio, growth rate or dry matter digestibility. However, food wastage significantly increased as the level of rapeseed meal in the diet was increased from 1.5 to 9.0 per cent. Food wastage was significantly correlated with the level of rapeseed meal in the diet.
Comparison of four wheat cultivars for yield and protein response to nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Syme JR , Mackenzie J , Strong WM
Published: March 2005

Four wheat cultivars were compared for grain yield and grain protein response to nitrogen fertilizer at rates up to 135 and 336 kg N ha-1, in two field experiments, All varieties showed large responses to nitrogen in both years. The Mexican semi-dwarf WW15 and its white-grain derivative, Condor, yielded more than the standard cultivars Timgalen or Gatcher. Semi dwarf cultivars were found to respond significantly more to nitrogen than either Timgalen or Gatcher in the first year of these trials. Protein percentage of the grain was depressed by low rates of nitrogen in one year but increassd at higher rates. Gatcher and Condor had similar protein percentages; WW15 had the lowest and Timgalen the highest. Only Timgalen with high nitrogen reached a protein level for premium payment in the first year. In the second, all cultivars when fertilized qualified for similar premium payments per unit of land area. A simplified economic analysis showed that it was more profitable to grow and to fertilize the higher-yielding cultivars.
The emergence of semidwarf and standard wheats, and its association with coleoptile length
Authors: Whan BR
Published: March 2005

The relationship between coleoptile length, depth of sowing and emergence of wheat was examined by measuring the emergence of ten semidwarf and standard varieties from four sowing depths under different soil conditions in two years. The coleoptile lengths of the same varieties were measured under dark, controlled-environment conditions. The emergence from deep sowings depended on the coleoptile length of the variety. When the depth of sowing exceeded the coleoptile length of each variety its emergence was drastically reduced. The semidwarf wheats had shorter coleoptiles than the standard varieties, so the depth at which their emergence was drastically reduced was shallower than for the standard varieties. As semidwarf varieties developed for the Victorian wheat growing areas would be 70 to 90 cm high, they would have emergence comparable to Olympic unless sown deeper than 11 to 14 cm under normal soil conditions, or deeper than 10 to 11 cm under hard compacted or crusted conditions. The importance of sowing all varieties, but particularly semidwarf varieties, at the recommended depths is emphasized. A very close association was found between mature plant height and coleoptile length within the semidwarf wheats studied (r = 0.90)
Some effects of formaldehyde treatment of hay or silage and level of barley intake on the production of crossbred lambs fed in pens
Authors: Sharkey MF , Hodge RW , Davis IF , Bogdanovic B
Published: March 2005

Hay and silage treated with formaldehyde were compared with untreated hay and silage during in vivo studies of digestibility, and in growth studies where the forages were fed with and without barley to 6-month-old crossbred lambs. In the growth study there were 20 treatment groups (four forage types offered ad libitum x five barley levels 0, 100, 300, 500 and ad libitum g day-1). Sheep were fed for 6 and 12 weeks for groups fed silage and hay respectively following which animals were slaughtered. On a digested basis, barley contributed from 0 to 76 per cent of digested energy intake. Lamb growth rate varied between 0 and 150 g day-1 and was linearly related to intake of digested DM. Growth rates were above 100 g day-1 where barley constituted 60 to 70 per cent of this intake. Silage and hay with digestibilities of 62 to 65 per cent barely maintained sheep liveweights when fed as a sole diet. The sheep ate more hay than silage and treating the forage with formaldehyde did not significantly increase intake or growth rate.
Effect on pig performance of varying the level of meat meal in cereal grain-meat meal diets
Authors: Fagan VF , Gillis PR
Published: March 2005

A pig feeding experiment was conducted in which six levels of meat meal ranging from 5 per cent to 30 per cent in increments of 5 per cent were fed throughout the experiment. Two additional treatments were included in which an initial meat meal level of 20 per cent was changed to 10 per cent in one treatment (20-10 per cent) and 0 per cent in the other (20-0 per cent) at 54.6 kg liveweight. The optimum level of meat meal was found to vary with the stage of development of the animals. At 30 kg liveweight optimum growth rate and food conversion efficiency occurred at a meat meal level of approximately 21.0 per cent. At 70 kg liveweight optimum growth rate and food conversion efficiency occurred on a diet with approximately 14.5 per cent meat meal. Reducing the level of meat meal at 54.6 kg from 20 per cent to 10 per cent had no adverse effect on any of the attributes measured. However, the reduction from 20 per cent to 0 per cent had a highly significant depressive effect on growth rate, food conversion efficiency and lean meat development. For the treatments fed at constant levels of meat meal, fat cover decreased with increasing meat meal whereas lean meat development increased with increasing meat meal up to 25 per cent but then showed a decline at 30 per cent.
Effects of irrigation water temperature on growth of some legume species in glasshouses
Authors: Brockwell J , Gault RR
Published: March 2005

Five species of legumes growing in pots in a heated glass-house in mid-winter were irrigated daily with water adjusted to temperatures between 5� and 30�C. There was an immediate effect on substrate temperature (at 2.5 cm depth) amounting to a 5�C rise or fall above or below ambient in the warmest and coldest water temperature treatments respectively, but substrate temperatures returned to normal within two hours. Treatment had no effect on the growth of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius)or bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) but the form and growth of soybean (Glycine max), lablab (Lablab purpureus), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) responded significantly. The magnitude of the effect was greater in irrigation water temperature treatments below 20�C than above. The amount of the response was quite disproportionate to mean substrate temperatures which, on a mean hourly basis over 24 hours, showed less than 1�C difference between any two treatments. No nodulation differences occurred with any species in any treatment and analysis of nitrogen reaching the shoot indicated that the responses were not due to effects on nitrogen fixation as distinct from plant growth. Substrate temperatures were consistently about 5�C below the ambient temperature of the glasshouse. Measures to alleviate both this loss of heat and the effect of midwinter tapwater temperature on plant growth in glasshouses are discussed.
Photoperiod and temperature effects on the flowering of Stylosanthes guyanensis
Authors: Bryant PM , Humphreys LR
Published: March 2005

Selections of Stylosanthes guyanensis were grown in controlled environment cabinets at 27� and 20�C and exposed to differing photoperiods. All selections showed a short-day flowering response, the apparent critical photoperiod varying from about 13 hours in CPI 40255 to about 11.5 hours in cv. Schofield. The 20� treatment promoted flowering in longer photoperiods in CPI 40255 and cv. Schofield and almost prevented flowering in CPI 34906 and cv. Cook. CPI 33706 did not flower at 27�C. Flowering response was not related simply to latitude or altitude of selection origin. Removal of mature leaves hastened flowering. The same selections grown in the field at Mt. Cotton, south-east Queensland (lat. 27�37'S) reached floral initiation at dates varying from February 5 to April 20. The duration of the period of floral initiation to flower appearance was negatively associated with daily maximum temperature. The range of first flowering dates within a selection varied from 8 to 78 days.
Ecological studies of root-nodule bacteria introduced into field environments. 4. Symbiotic properties of Rhizobium japonicum
and competitive success in nodulation of two Glycine max cultivars by effective and ineffective strains
Authors: Diatloff A , Brockwell J
Published: March 2005

Rhizobium japonicum strain evaluation experiments with soybean (Glycine max) confirmed that strain CB1809 was ineffective in nitrogen fixation with the related cultivars Hardee and Geduld but was highly effective with cv. Hampton. There were no major symbiotic differences between the cultivars with other strains. Three strains including CB1809 were used, singly, in pairs, or all together, as inocula for Hardee and Hampton in competition studies in the field. The ratio of strains recovered from nodules was used as an index of competitive success. A few nodules contained more than one strain. There was a marked host x strain interaction in nodulating competitiveness related to symbiotic effectiveness, the order of competitive success being CB1809 > CC709 > CB1795 for Hampton and CC709 > CB1795 > CB1809 for Hardee. With Hardee, strain CB1809, although unsuccessful itself in forming nodules in the presence of the other inocula, appeared to suppress nodule formation by those strains. Nodulation by CB1795 in the presence of CB1809 was suppressed to such an extent that plant growth was retarded and not different from that of uninoculated control plants, although CB1795 alone nodulated Hardee abundantly and effectively. There was no evidence that naturally-occurring ineffective R. japonicum posed any competitive threat to the nodulating ability of effective inoculant strains.
Yield and persistence of selected perennial grasses in south-western Australia
Authors: Rogers AL , Nicholas DA , Maller RA , Arnold GW
Published: March 2005

Nine lines of Dactylis glomerata, five of Phalaris tuberosa, two of Festuca arundinacea, and two of Lolium perenne were compared over a three year period for survival and seasonal yield on two sites on lateritic gravelly soils in south-western Australia. On plots sown broadcast at two seeding rates and grazed periodically, yield and density were measured. On other plots that were drill sown and grazed either continuously or rotationally, density only was measured. In the broadcast plots, there was no interaction between seeding rates and plant yield or plant density. There were significant differences in yield of sown grass between lines in all years, but in total yield (i.e. sown grass plus volunteer annuals) at one site only. Significant differences in density between lines were recorded in all plots. At one site final plant density was similar in the broadcast and drill sown plots, whereas at the second site there were large differences between the broadcast and drilled plots. On a survival and yield basis the best lines of each were D. glomerate cv. Currie, P. tuberosa cv. Australian, F. arundinacea CPI 15301, and L. perenne CPI 15914. F. arundinacea gave outstanding winter yields.
The quality and quantity of forage oats sown at intervals during autumn: effects of nitrogen and supplementary irrigation
Authors: Spurway RA , Hedges DA , Wheeler JL
Published: March 2005

The quality and production of forage oats (Avena sativa cv. Acacia) sown on five occasions between late summer and late autumn was measured in an experiment near Armidale, New South Wales. Additional treatments were nil vs. 71 kg ha-1 nitrogen (N) and non-irrigated vs. supplementary irrigation. Nitrogen fertilizer did not significantly affect plant establishment, or the dry matter or digestible organic matter production from any sowing. Plant establishment declined linearly in association with reductions in the mean ambient temperature during the ten days after sowing. Crops sown on February 25 and March 13 produced at least 35 per cent more forage (P < 0.05) with irrigation than dryland crops but with all later sowings the effect of irrigation was not significant. Early sown crops contained up to 36 per cent senescent leaf and 44 per cent dead leaf in August. Organic matter digestibility contents of green and senescent forage differed little and always exceeded 69 per cent, but that of the dead leaf was at times as low as 45 per cent. Equations are presented relating digestible organic matter available in irrigated and non-irrigated treatments to the length and mean temperature of the growth period.
Studies of fruit shape in apples: a survey of factors influencing the development of 'typiness' of the cultivar Red Delicious
Authors: Greenhalgh WJ , Godley GL
Published: March 2005

Studies were made on the effects of inherited factors, (scions and rootstocks) and field factors, (districts and climates) on the 'typiness' of Red Delicious apples produced in fruit growing districts of the eastern and western coasts of Australia. 'Typey' fruit is that which has pronounced calyx lobes and which attracts premium prices at market. Richared, Royal Red and Starkrimson cultivars were far more 'typey' than the common Red Delicious, whereas Hi-Early and Royden Red were inferior in this respect. Rootstocks had little effect on 'typiness'. The districts of Orange and Batlow in New South Wales produced the most 'typey' fruit. The extent to which 'typiness' was developed in the fruit was related to mean air temperature in the period of seven days following full bloom.