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Agave tequilana - environmental weed risk assessment 2024
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Agave tequilana. Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave or tequila agave, is a succulent native to the states of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Aguascalientes in Mexico. In its native range lue tequila predominantly grows at high altitudes ( \u3e 1,500m) on iron-rich, fertile soils of volcanic origin (Chambers and Holtum 2010). The ‘Jalisco’ region where A. tequilana has traditionally been grown has a distinctive wet (summer) and dry season (winter) with average annual rainfall of 800-900mm. Growing at high altitudes the night temperatures are usually markedly lower (10°C) than day temperatures
Joining - setting the potential of your ewe flock
No full textJoining is the time when the potential lambing of your flock is set, so make the most of it.
Preparation of ewes and rams for joining should start 8 weeks prior to joining for the greatest benefit.
Key tactical decisions around ewe and ram health and nutrition should be made prior to joining. This should ideally start 8 weeks before joining as the impact of nutrition, shearing and teasing take time to influence joining success.
The majority of the ewes in Western Australia are seasonal breeders. The spontaneous cycling in Merinos and breeds such as Poll Dorset are least affected by day length. Breeds such as Border Leicesters and other British breeds are most affected by day length
Desi chickpea – essentials for growing a successful crop
No full textChickpeas are a suitable break crop for heavier soils with pH above 5.5 in calcium chloride. For trouble free chickpea growing, select a current variety with tolerance to Ascochyta, have a disease management plan, use an inoculant at sowing, and sow into a clean paddock, as post emergent broadleaf herbicide application can be ineffective
Rabbit control: warren and harbourage destruction
No full textIf correctly and appropriately undertaken, the destruction of rabbit warrens, or modification of the habitat so it becomes less favourable to rabbits, can be an important and effective part of reducing the impacts of rabbits.
Destruction of warrens can improve the overall effectiveness of rabbit control programs, even though many rabbits live and shelter above-ground under bushes, and in scrub). If undertaken properly, the ripping of rabbit warrens can often provide a relatively permanent and long-term benefit. Similarly, removing or modifying other forms of rabbit-harbourage (for example, removing rock piles) can help, particularly in semi-urban areas or on smallholdings
Sclerotinia management for narrowleaf lupin crops in Western Australian farming systems DAW2104-002RTX: Project results summary for 2021-2023 research results
No full textExtensive research has been conducted in 2021-2023 to expand our understanding of the distribution of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum incidence in lupin in WA, the infection process, yield and grain quality impacts, and management strategies. The research was conducted via commercial crop surveys, and experiments in the field, lab, controlled environment and glass houses by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and collaborators Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), Mingenew Irwin Group (MIG), and lupin growers
Argentine ants
No full textArgentine ants (Linepithema humile) are small, brown, and notorious worldwide for being one of the most difficult and costly ants to control, as it can involve ongoing and repetitive use of residual, contact insecticides. The ants are established in Western Australia (WA)
Breeding ewes are worth feeding
No full textDespite potentially elevated grain prices, strong prices for meat and wool mean that Western Australian sheep farmers can confidently supplementary feed their underweight ewes in summer/autumn.
Analysis in 2019, based on then-current prices, showed it was a profitable investment to feed all ewes to maintain condition during pregnancy, and to feed low condition score single bearing ewes and low and medium condition score twin bearing ewes to gain condition.
In 2019, John Young from Farming Systems Analysis Service completed an analysis on the value of a ewe in the WA farming system. His report had some important messages for the 2020 season.
This coming summer/ autumn, the feed shortage due to dry conditions and potentially higher supplementary grain prices may tempt local farmers to underfeed their ewes,” said Mr Young. “However, farmers need to consider the cost of mismanaging ewe nutrition.”
Mr Young used 2019 prices to update the economic analysis he carried out in 2011 for Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM), the nationally recognised course in better ewe management and lamb survival
Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep
No full textConfinement feeding (also referred to as lot feeding or feedlotting) is an intensive feeding system in a confined area where all, or the majority of, feed and water is supplied to the contained animals. The department recommends using confinement feeding as part of a whole farm livestock, pasture and erosion management program.
We recommend having a confinement feeding system as an integral part of a whole farm livestock, pasture and erosion management program. Guides and resources that provide more detailed information are listed at the bottom of this fact sheet
Managing the beef breeder herd in southern Western Australia
No full textKilograms of beef produced per hectare is a significant driver of profit for a beef business. Cow longevity (length of productive life) plays an important role in achieving a profitable business. A balanced approach to genetic selection and nutritional management are essential factors underpinning the efficiency of the breeding herd
Profitable, low-emission nitrogen application strategies in Western Australian dryland cropping
No full textPurpose/Research Question(s):
Our goal is to find highly profitable, lower-emission nitrogen application approaches for dryland farming in Western Australia.
Method(s)
Simulation modelling is used to analyse gross margins and greenhouse gas emissions for nitrogen strategies in various land use sequences across a range of locations in Western Australia\u27s grainbelt.
Findings
The study’s main finding is that there are preferred nitrogen (N) application strategies that consistently achieve high gross margins in crop production yet ensure emissions are relatively low or moderate. A useful strategy for a farmer is to evaluate the ratio of the price of nitrogen and grain and have a goal for N application that maximises the gross margin. While the gains in gross margins and emission reductions from altering N application strategies may appear small at a paddock level, those changes when replicated over the 9 million hectares of crops in the study region, annually deliver significant improvement. Further, when summed over many years of crop production, these seemingly minor improvements can lead to substantial additional profits and emission savings for the agricultural region. The study also concludes that very high or very low N application rates are inferior strategies. The better options are to apply 50 or 75 kg N/crop ha, depending on the farm location, for economic and environmental reasons.
Implications
Choosing nitrogen application strategies that are both highly profitable and which result in lower emissions throughout the study area can lead to significant economic and environmental advantages