Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Pasture Condition Guides For The Murchison River Catchment, A Fox, T R. Eckersley

Soil conservation survey collection

Knowledge of the pasture resource and its capabilities is essential to sustainable use of the rangelands. Rangeland managers must be able to recognise firstly the different pasture types, and secondly, the differences between present condition classes for each type. Both factors affect the stock carrying capacity, and appropriate pastoral management of a pasture. This guide has been produced for use by pastoralists to assist them to recognise and assess the condition of the perennial pasture resource of their own properties. The guide describes the condition states found in 10 of the most widespread pastures of the Murchison River catchment (Fig. …

Remnant Vegetation On Farms Is A Valuable Resource, Richard Hobbs, Ken Wallace

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Retention of native vegetation on farms is important both from an ecological and an economic point of view. Productivity in the paddocks ultimately will depend on the retention and replacement of trees and shrubs in the landscape. Remnants of native vegetation can play their part by helping to ensure the long-term viability of the agricultural system, as well as greatly enhancing the quality of life for those living on the land.

The Effect Of Nitrogen On Pastures And Subsequent Sheep Production., L. Cransberg

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89MT1

Location: Mt Barker Research Station

To measure the effect of autumn/winter application on:

1. Pasture growth rates and composition

2. Sheep production using pregnant/lacting ewes.

Trial 89KA6

Management systems for sheep.

Location: Kojonup

To measure the effects of set stocking and strip (rotation) grazing on:

1. Pasture production, composition and quality.

2. Sheep production (liveweight, condition score, wool growth rate, fibre diameter strength and vegetable matter contamination).

Trees And Livestock : A Productive Co-Existence, Richard Moore

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Trees, as part of farming can help to combat land degradation problems and produce a good economic return from timber at the same time. For example, there is now clear evidence that planting trees can help combat salinity by lowering water-table levels. Trees can also substantially improve overall farm productivity by providing shelter for pastures and livestock. The challenge is to find practical and economical methods of integrating trees and farming. A combination of widely-spaced trees and livestock is one promising method. This article describes the benefits of this type of agroforestry to farmers, suitable locations and how to practice …

Planting Trees To Control Salinity, Nick Schofield, Phil Scott

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Dense tree plantings covering at least 30 per cent of cleared land can lower groundwater levels by two metres or more in 10 years from the time of planting. This sizeable drop can be expected at sites receiving 700 to 800 mm of rain a year. Research by the Water Authority of Western Australia shows the most promising strategy when using trees is to put dense plantings on the discharge zone and on lower to midslopes. This strategy is successful where groundwaters contain less than 30,000 milligrams per litre total soluble salts (TSS).

This article discusses research in the 450 …

Windbreaks Prove Their Worth, Tim Negus

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Strong winds in the south-west of Western Australia in April 1991 carted tonnes of top soil from stubbles, over-grazed pastures, and recently prepared cropping land. However, where there were windbreaks, downwind protection into the paddock was up to 10 to 20 times the height of the windbreaks. On May 1, 1991, the author inspected farm land for damage from Narrogin to the Dongolocking area, to Harrismith, up the rabbit-proof fence to West Corrigin and back to Narrogin via Kweda. He found the extent of soil erosion varied, and that some tree species planted in windbreaks gave better protection than others

Drainage Of Sandplain Seeps For Salinity Control And Stock Water Supplies, Richard George, Peter Frantom

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sandplain seeps are derived from a shallow groundwater system which flows from the deep sandplain soils upslope. Seeps result in small areas of salinity and waterlogging, which can be the focus of soil erosion. Sandplain seeps may represent as much as 10 per cent of Western Australia's salt problem in the drier agricultural area. Several drainage experiments conducted between 1986 and 1989 determined the best methods of reclaiming sandplain seeps.

This article discusses the results of these drainage experiments. It comments on the most suitable method for reclaiming sandplain seeps and developing them for stock water supplies.

Land Capability Study For Horticulture In The Swan Valley, J M. Campbell-Clause, Geoff Allan Moore

Land resources series

The Swan Valley is an important agricultural, recreational, tourist and heritage area in which there are a number of competing land uses because of its location close to Perth. The traditional agricultural use, mainly centred around the viticulture industry, has to compete with tourist development, urban encroachment, hobby farms and clay extraction. The major objective of this report was to identify any areas of prime horticultural land which should be retained for that purpose. A land capability study was done using the existing soil series map of the Swan Valley (Pym 1955), which covers most of the Swan Valley Policy …

Background Papers To Wawa's South-West Irrigation District Strategy Study, G J. Luke, I Af Laing, P R. George, G R. Olney, R L. Taylor, I F. Wilkinson, P T. Arkell

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

The Mallee Road Catchment Project, Rachel Siewert, S Abbott, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia), R A. Nulsen

Resource management technical reports

The Mallee Road Sump catchment is a 30,000 ha catchment located immediately south of a major drainage divide in the central southern agricultural region of Western Australia. The catchment has been largely developed for agriculture over the last 25 years and is now showing development of secondary land salinization. Agronomic trials have shown that it is possible to considerably increase plant production in the area and simultaneously reduce recharge to the groundwaters.

Narrow-Winged Seeder Points Reduce Water Erosion And Maintain Crop Yields, Kevin Bligh

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sowing crops without loosening the topsoil by tillage reduces water erosion. It can increase infiltration of rainfall into loamy soils, thereby reducing runoff and increasing potential crop yields. Crop yields were maintained after I1 seasons of seeding an Avon Valley loam near Beverley with minimum and no-tillage seeding operations. Infiltration increased significantly from 80 per cent of the 1983 growing-season rainfall under the traditional three tillage operations, to 87per cent under a single tillage operation using a combine seed drill. Infiltration increased further to 96 per cent under a no-tillage system using a triple^lisc drill. At Gnowangerup, 80 per cent …

Variable Quality Of Saltbush Seed Influences Establishment, Stephen Vlahos, Donald Nicholas, Clive Malcolm

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Farmers are using niche seeders to direct-seed saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) cheaply on large areas of salt affected land. While many factors influence successful establishment of these shrubs, fanners can control the quality of the seed they use. Too often, the lack of knowledge of saltbush seed quality has resulted in extremely poor establishment. The importance of seed quality is well recognized in the establishment of grain crops and pastures, but it is often overlooked when farmers buy or select seed of saltbush. If farmers know the quality of the seed they buy, they can make appropriate adjustments to the sowing …

Using Trees To Reclaim Land Lost To Saline Seeps, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Arthur Wright

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The National Soil Conservation Program (NSCP) has tapped the vigorous community support for landcare initiatives through its demonstration sites for reclaiming sandplain seeps in the Western Australian wheatbelt. The demonstrations, which use tree plantations to reclaim seeps, began in 1989. The sites are being keenly monitored by participating farmers and members of land conservation districts (LCDs).

Manual Of Field Techniques In Hydrology, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Division Of Resource Management

Agriculture reports

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The Soils Of The Narrogin Advisory District, T C. Stoneman, Department Of Agriculture And Food, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

Descriptions, illustrations and notes on eight common soils / compiled by T.C. Stoneman.

An Introduction To The Soils Of The Katanning Advisory District, T C. Stoneman, National Soil Conservation Program (Australia)

Bulletins 4000 -

With descriptions, illustrations and notes on eight common soils.

Long Term Management Measures For The Cockburn Sound Restricted Entry Fisheries., P. Millington

Fisheries management papers

The objective of this management plan is to introduce rules which will ensure there is a real reduction in professional fishing units and fishing effort in the medium to long term. This reduction should enable a small professional fishery to co-exist with the recreational sector, supply fresh fish to the metropolitan area, ensuring there is no proliferation of "shamateur fishing" and providing a supply of recreational angling bait.

Kings Park Soil Survey, J A. Bessell-Browne

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Horticultural Capability Study Of Soils Adjacent To Plantations At Carnarvon, Western Australia, M R. Wells, J A. Bessell-Browne

Resource management technical reports

A detailed soil survey and horticultural capability assessment was undertaken over 1,804 ha of land adjacent to existing plantations on levees of the Gascoyne River near Carnarvon. The study provides mapped land resource data and advice in relation to land management and the possibility of further land release for horticulture. In the assessment of horticultural capability primary consideration has been given to the risk of erosion during flood events, to salinity, and to soil drainage conditions.

The Impact Of Mining And Mining Exploration On Range Resources And Pastoral Pursuits In The Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison And Goldfields Regions Of Western Australia, H J. Pringle, G A. Carter, J L. James, R E Y O'Connor

Resource management technical reports

Mining activity occurs very widely over relatively small areas of the rangelands. However, it is an intense landuse which can create significant offsite effects. Mining activity is most common around metamorphic 'greenstone' belts and broad drainages. Pastoralists reported both benefits and adverse affects as a consequence of mining activity. The main grievances related to unnecessary and excessive disturbance of pastoral land and the failure of operators to inform the pastoralist of their intentions.

Catchment Drainage : Three Case Studies, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia. Division Of Resource Management, J E P Green

Resource management technical reports

Three areas were visited, namely the Coobidge creek catchment in Esperance, the Koolanooka-Bowgada Catchment near Morawa and the Petan Creek Catchment (Winchester catchment) near Carnamah. Each area was advised independently through separate reports and the three reports are collated herein for future reference.

Future Policy For Charter Fishing Operations In Western Australia., P. Millington

Fisheries management papers

About 40 boats in Western Australia gain some of their income from taking recreational fishing parties out on charter. Half of these charter boats are also licensed commercial fishing boats. There are few Fisheries Department controls over charter boat fishing at present. However, with increasing tourism and leisure time, there are sound reasons for the Minister for fisheries to tighten up the controls over charter boat fishing to prevent over-exploitation in some areas or on particular stocks.

Toward Better Minimum Tillage For South-Coastal Sandplain Soils, W L. Crabtree

Resource management technical reports

Seventeen farmers compared their conventional cropping practices with some form of minimum tillage cropping. The minimum tilled crops yielded 21 percent less grain than the conventionally sown crops. The reasons for these decreased yields were in most cases related to inexperienced management. The minimum tilled treatments usually had very poor weed kill strategies which often resulted in large weeds at sowing, very cloddy seed-beds, and numerous insects in the young crops.

Using Pumps And Syphons To Control Salinity At A Saline Seep In The Wallatin Creek Catchment, Richard J. George Dr, P W C Frantom

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

The Future For Recreational Fishing : Issues For Community Discussion., Recreational Fishing Advisory Committtee

Fisheries management papers

The West Australian Government has initiated a major review of recreational fishing, and how it may be managed for a productive future. This public discussion paper is the first stage in this vitally important review.

Pea And Faba Bean Symbiosis With Rhizobium., J. Evans, C. Wallace, N. Dobrowolski

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89WH55, 89KA57, 89M26, 90A12, 90A13, 90M59, 90M60

Location: Merredin, Konnongorring, Dalwallinu, Wongan Hills, Kojonup, Avondale Research Station.

To undertake relevant field studies to establish whether there are constraints to pea and bean symbiosis, arising from management, environment or genetics, and affecting crop N accumulation and productivity.

Trial 90BA60

Using Le-mat (omethoate) insecticide and legume inoculant on seed.

Location: Badgingarra Research Station,

To measure the effect of Lemat on the nodulation and growth of medics and luceme.

Deep Ripping, R. J. Jarvis

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 88Ba11,12

Deep ripping at two depths in lupin/oat/wheat rotation on newish land.

Location: Badgingarra Research Station

Sited on the new block of Badgingarra Research Station, these trials aim at examining the response to new rippings each cereal year as well as the response over time to the residual effect of ripping. The rotation is the normal one applied on the Research Station.

Trial 89KO1

Location: Mount Barker Research Station.

Deep ripping for barley and lupins - Kojaneerup Block of MBRS.

Yields not significantly different by A.O.V., however lupin yield declined as the previous year's barley yield increased due to …

Evaluation And Development Of Pasture Species For Deep Sandy Soils In Low To Medium Rainfall Areas., B. J. Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90EC1

Effect of species and maturity on dry matter production and water use of annual medic on deep sandplain soil.

Location: East Chapman.

All medic cultivars were preferentially grazed compared to Paros serradella which did not allow a proper comparison between the two species in the grazed treatment. 2. Poor nodulation in Harbinger due to incompatability with the current Group A inoculant (R. meliloti strain WSM 540) resulted in poor-growth-and-low-seed-yield. - 3. Water use was directly related to maturity or time taken to flower ; total water extraction (mm) = 1.48 * days to flower - 41.1 R2 = …

Economics Of Summer Weed Control., T. Piper

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Aims: To test various chemical options for summer weed control; measuring their efficacy, the amount of soil moisture conserved, and follow-up crop yield. A full season cost-benefit could then be produced. Summer rains were widespread in 1990, and summer weed sites were plentiful.

Trial 90A3

Location: Avondale.

This site had adequate moisture for most of the summer. Weeds were growing well when sprayed, and were readily controlled. (df. Wongan Hills). 2,4-D/diuron gave excellent control at the time of spraying but follow-up germinations marred the result.

Trial 90M6

Location: Merredin.

All treatments have failed at this site. Large doublegee and melons …

Cranola Rapseed Variety Assessment. Cranola Agronomy. Linseed. Tillage., J. D. Warren

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90AB15. 90N68, 90EB39

Canola : assessment of early maturing Stage 2 lines.

Location: Katanning, Newdegate Research Station, East Beverley Annex

Production of Canola in medium rainfall zones offers the opportunity for a rapid expansion of the industry. However presently recommended varieties take too long to mature for the area's shorter growing season. The Stage 2 trials assess Canola lines selected on the basis of earliness from the remnants of Dr Roy's now defunct rapeseed breeding programme as well as selections from Eastern States breeding programmes. The trials arc conducted at three sites to account for environmental effects on cultivar …