Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA): Research LibraryNot a member yet
10920 research outputs found
Sort by
Weed Seed Wizard case study - Grower from Western Australia’s central wheatbelt
No full textThe Weed Seed Wizard is a national collaborative project that uses paddock management information to predict weed emergence and crop losses now and in the future.
The Weed Seed Wizard is a computer simulation tool that: applies to all Australian grain growing areas helps growers understand and manage weed seedbanks on their farms uses farm management records to simulate how different crop rotations, weed control techniques, irrigation, grazing and harvest management tactics can affect weed numbers, the weed seedbank and yields uses farm-specific management and site-specific weather is multi-species
See www.dpird.wa.gov.au for further information on Weed Seed Wizard.
This case study considers one grower in WA\u27s central wheatbelt
Feral donkey
No full textDonkeys (Equus asinus) were first imported in substantial numbers to Australia in 1866 by Sir Thomas Elder. They were used as pack and draught animals in outlying areas of Western Australia (WA) until the 1930s. They were eventually replaced by the motor vehicle, and unwanted donkeys were released to the wild, where they became feral. The first record of feral donkeys is from the Kimberley in the early 1930s, but it is possible they became feral much earlier
Barley production: effects of weather damage and varietal purity on quality
No full textAustralian barley is regarded for its quality and suitability for both malting and animal feed, although varietal differences and environmental conditions during production can influence its quality
Saltland rehabilitation: Rehabilitating saltland to offset carbon emissions at Katanning Research Station by 2030
No full textKatanning Research Station has set a target to become carbon neutral by 2030. Saltland rehabilitation is one of the strategies to be implemented to offset the emissions from the station
Lupins – essentials for growing a successful crop
No full textNarrow leafed lupins are a grain legume crop for the deep sandy acidic soils of Western Australia. Growing a successful lupin crop is not technically difficult. New varieties and machinery are making lupins a more reliable and profitable cropping option
Response to a poor season (2017)
No full textThis analysis was prepared for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Sheep Industry Business Innovation project by the Farming Systems Analysis Service in July 2017.
Provisos for the following: The price of sheep doesn’t reduce substantially over the next 12 months. This is not expected but it is a risk and therefore selling low priority stock is recommended. Low priority sheep are: dry sheep, wether weaners and old ewes \u3e6yo. That confinement feeding is done with reasonable technical skill and that feed isn’t wasted and that animals don’t die at high rate
Rabbit control: fumigation
No full textFumigation for rabbit control involves the introduction of poisonous gas into a warren. It is one of the best control methods to use where low numbers of rabbits live in a few widely scattered warrens. The threat to non-target animals is minimal. This factsheet should be read in conjunction with registered product labels and directions for use. Check the Department of Health, Western Australia website (health.wa.gov.au) for public health requirements for the use of phosphine fumigation.
Fumigation may be used in areas where access is limited, such as fence lines, around trees, and on riverbanks, but it may be difficult to find and seal all warren entrances in these situations. Fumigation can be carried out at any time of year but has the best long-term effect if done shortly before the start of rabbit breeding season. Fumigation is not suitable when most of the rabbits are living above-ground rather than in warrens, such as in areas of scrub where there is a dense understorey, especially in coastal districts
Gorse and its control
No full textGorse (Ulex europaeus) is a declared pest in Western Australia (WA). This factsheet describes the nature of the plant with links to requirements that landowners/occupiers must adhere to, pest control methods and how to search, detect and report it.
Gorse is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) present in Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory; it is not present in the Northern Territory. Gorse is a declared pest plant in WA
Deferred grazing and sheep at the break of season in South West Western Australia
No full textGrazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal levels. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recommends deferring grazing of pasture paddocks at the break-of-season until feed on offer is at least 500–800 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha). At this level, pasture plants are likely to be firmly rooted and have sufficient leaf area to be productively grazed
Sheep lice spread and detection
No full textThe most common lice affecting sheep are body lice (Bovicola ovis).
Knowledge of the lice life cycle and relevant features of their biology assist in our understanding of how lice survive and spread.
Better understanding and ability to find and monitor lice populations will improve sheep farmer decision making around eradicating lice.
Knowledge of when an infestation may have occurred, or alternatively that lice was not eradicated at the last shearing, is important information that will assist future treatment decisions