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Livestock guardian dog protection of free-range poultry from the red fox
No full textContext: Predation of layer chickens is a major issue for free-range egg producers. Using livestock guardian dogs (LGD) to protect free-ranging poultry is a possible option for producers, although there is little published literature regarding how the dogs protect chickens.
Aims: This case study was conducted at a free-range egg production farm in Western Australia, where red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were a common predator of chickens prior to introducing Maremma LGD. We investigated LGD responses to experimental cues that might indicate fox incursion (fox urine and calls).
Methods: Four dogs were GPS tracked and monitored using camera traps. Over the first week, experimental fox cues were set out around the paddock boundaries, alternating with ‘non-cue’ experimental control nights. We recorded whether the LGD altered (1) their space use, (2) activity patterns (movement speed), or (3) behaviour in response to these cues. We also recorded (4) distances between LGD from known sightings of foxes.
Key results: The Maremmas appeared to work independently of each other, covering separate areas. There was no significant difference in overnight home range area by experimental fox cue treatment, but there was a significant (P \u3c 0.001) treatment × dog interaction term for distance moved. Three dogs spent most of their time at night around the chicken shelters and generally increased distances moved on experimental fox cue nights. The fourth dog was more bonded to people and did not alter its movements. Paradoxically, dogs rested more and barked less on experimental fox cue nights; however, we recorded foxes on camera traps placed around the chicken shelters on 17 of the 23 nights of monitoring, and the high background activity level of foxes on this property compromised our experimental control (nights without experimental fox cues). The dogs did not move towards known fox sightings.
Conclusions: The Maremmas in this trial closely guarded the chicken shelters rather than maintaining the entire paddock as a predator-exclusion zone.
Implications: Understanding how guardian dogs behave when challenged by potential predators will help increase producers’ confidence in the efficacy of these dogs as a viable method to protect livestock from predation threat
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) agronomy update — chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae) management in faba beans at Kojonup in 2021
No full textFoliar fungicide application on Western Australian faba bean crops can be safely delayed until flowering begins, even if chocolate spot is present at low levels earlier in the season. An alert system using in-crop monitors is being developed that might provide increased confidence in making fungicide application decisions – by supporting the decision not to spray. In high rainfall/risk areas the ‘alert’ system could need modification to account for extended periods of very high humidity and ‘discounting’ temperature. PBA Bendoc is rated ‘S’ for chocolate spot and might not be the best variety in high rainfall/high humidity regions. In these circumstances PBA Amberley would be a better choice
PestFacts WA Issue 19 - October 2022
No full textPestFacts WA Issue 19 - October 2022 contents: Monitor for slugs now to prepare for next season WA’s Native budworm moth trapping is nearly finished for 2022 Green peach aphid resistance testinghttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fc_pestfactswa/1049/thumbnail.jp
PestFacts WA Issue 20 - November 2022
No full textPestFacts WA Issue 20 - November 2022 contents: Phomopsis can be a risk when grazing lupin stubble Meet PestFacts WA team member – Dusty Severtsonhttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fc_pestfactswa/1050/thumbnail.jp
EPBC 2010/5491: Weaber Plain Development Project Annual Environmental Report - 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022
No full textThis Weaber Plain Development Project EPBC Annual Environment Report for the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 has been developed in accordance with Condition 3 of the Commonwealth Environmental Approval for the Weaber Plain Development Project, EPBC 2010/5491, issued under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
The Western Australian Government, Kimberley Agricultural Investment Pty Ltd (KAI) and the Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal Corporation (MG Corp) are completing farm development and conducting irrigated agriculture across the Weaber Plain, north of Kununurra in the eastern Kimberley region of WA.
This report has been prepared for the Proponent, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), for the period May 2021 to April 2022. This report is an Annual Environment Report rather than an audit report, but nonetheless reviews compliance and ongoing improvement opportunities, and considers the findings of monitoring programs in relation to overall environmental objectives for the Project
ORIA Stage II Expansion: Keep River Post-Development Aquatic Fauna and Targeted Sawfish Survey - 2021
No full textThis report presents the results of the 2021 Keep River Aquatic Fauna and Targeted Sawfish Survey which represents the second of three post-development surveys required to be completed as per the project conditions of the Goomig Irrigation Development. Whilst a limited number of potentially impacted sites were not able to be surveyed in 2021 as a result of i) COVID-19 travel restrictions implemented by the Western Australian Government during the survey and ii) access limitations as a result of rain associated with the wet season due to the late completion of the survey, the data collected and current analyses were considered adequate for identifying potential impacts on the Keep River in line with the project Aquatic Fauna Management Plan
Data validating the use of rubidium as a non-radioactive tracer for the localised proliferation of wheat roots in acidic or limed subsoil
No full textExisting technologies for lime (CaCO3) incorporation into acidic field soils result in the heterogeneous distribution of limed and acidic soil sections. In a study characterising the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to the amendment of an acidic soil profile with vertically limed slots[1], elucidation of the dynamics of root proliferation within the acidic and limed soil sections was a prerequisite to understanding the mechanisms driving the above-ground responses. Rubidium (Rb) has been used widely as a non-radioactive tracer for root activity[2] in soil. However, the contrasting pH in a heterogeneously limed soil profile and related aluminium toxicity effects to roots can influence the availability and uptake of Rb, and quantitative data relating Rb uptake to root phenology in this scenario are lacking. To validate the use of Rb as a tracer for root activity within vertically limed slots in an acidic soil profile, its uptake by wheat roots from acidic or limed sections of subsoil, and its relation to root architecture was assessed. Wheat plants were grown in a glasshouse in 29 cm deep, vertically split soil columns with acidic (pH 3.9), Al-toxic subsoil on one side and the same soil amended with lime on the other side. Rubidium chloride was applied at 5, 10 or 20 mg Rb kg−1 to either limed or acidic soil sections. Wheat plants were grown for 28 days, after which the Rb content in shoots and the root length and diameter in each of the discrete soil sections was measured. Foremost, the Rb amendments (5, 10 or 20 mg Rb kg−1 soil) did not induce any toxic effects; shoot dry weight and root length in the limed and acidic sections of the subsoil were not statistically different among the rubidium-amended and non-amended treatments, regardless of its placement (limed vs. acidic sections). Average root lengths in the limed sections of the subsoil (69.5 m section−1) were approximately 10-fold greater than in the acidic sections (6.3 m section−1). Likewise, the concentration of Rb in shoots was, on average, 7-fold greater where Rb was applied to the limed (vs. acidic) subsoil section and was positively influenced by the rate of Rb amendment in the limed (p ≤ 0.05), but not the acidic section of the subsoil. Rubidium uptake into shoots was significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with the length of roots within the Rb-amended subsoil section. The uptake of Rb from acidic or limed subsoil sections was determined by the root length in the Rb-amended subsoil section, regardless of the rate of Rb amendment. The uptake of Rb per unit of root length from acidic or limed sections of subsoil was not significantly different. The data validate the use of Rb as a tracer for the dynamics of root length proliferation in limed subsoil sections in a heterogeneously limed acidic soil profile
Complementary evidence for small-scale spatial assemblages of the exploited grass emperor (Lethrinus laticaudis) in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Western Australia
No full textUnderstanding the connectivity of exploited fish populations is critical to their management under both rapid and long-term environmental change. Patterns of connectivity are unknown for most fishes in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area (Western Australia), a large, shallow embayment in the eastern Indian Ocean, vulnerable to marine heatwaves. The composition of oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) stable isotopes in whole otoliths of the recreationally-important reef fish Lethrinus laticaudis did not differ between Shark Bay\u27s two large inner gulfs, separated by the Peron Peninsula. However, significant differences were found between pairs of locations with different salinities over a spatial scale of ∼60 km within each gulf. Misclassification of samples was greatest between locations mostly in different gulfs, but with similar salinities (15–41%), and rare between adjacent locations in the same gulf with different salinities (0–5%). This is influenced by the strong correlation (ρ = 0.93) between δ18O in otoliths and the salinity gradient of the two gulfs, and further supported by a lack of correlation in the similarities of isotope compositions and distances between locations (ρ = 0.16). Fish samples from each of the different locations were composed of multiple year-classes, yet the otolith chemistry distinguished them at a minimum distance of 16 km apart, indicating that small-scale connectivity of L. laticaudis is likely during the majority of their life cycle. Physical barriers to movement of post-settlement individuals (land masses, expansive seagrass and sand) between the small, isolated reefs of Shark Bay may reduce large scale connectivity, which instead would occur mostly by egg and larval dispersal. The probable scale of connectivity of post-settlement L. laticaudis indicates that this major recreational fishing target species may be vulnerable to localised over-exploitation and negative environmental effects on population sources and sinks within this shallow embayment. Maintaining sustainable spawning biomass at scales relevant to the extent of connectivity for such a species in a World Heritage Area is an important management consideration
Avena sativa - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
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 Avena sativa. Oats are a widely sown temperate cereal crop grown across the cereal growing areas of southern Australia and in temperate environments around the world. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia (Hussey et al. 2007) with the crop varieties most likely originating from wild types in the Middle East. Milled (rolled) oats are used for human consumption while feed oats and oaten hay are used for livestock production. In Western Australia (WA) between 250,000 and 350,000 hectares are sown each year for grain production, and approximately 110,000 hectares for hay production