Pasture seed theft by ants in northern New South Wales

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
GG Johns ◽  
LR Greenup
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Exponential Type ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Probability Information ◽  
Coated Seed

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.

Seasonal Pattern of Androgen Secretion in the Male Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, in the Upper Barnard River, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
N.P. New ◽  
J.M. Jakubowski ◽  
G.M. Stone ◽  
R.C. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
New South ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Peripheral Blood Plasma ◽  
Androgen Secretion

The seasonal pattern of androgen secretion in free-ranging male platypuses was determined in samples of peripheral blood plasma and rectal contents collected between February and November 1996, from animals captured in the Upper Barnard River, New South Wales. Cortisol concentrations in peripheral blood were also measured and seasonal changes in body condition were assessed. Androgen concentrations in samples from the different sources all followed a distinctly seasonal pattern, being low from February to June, rising in July to reach the highest values in August before reducing to lower values by September. The high concentrations occurred within a relatively narrow time frame and appeared to be well synchronised among individuals. Within animal comparisons showed that androgen concentrations in excreta were highly correlated with values for blood. Cortisol concentrations were higher in July and August than other months. Males lost body condition during this period (as indicated by changes in the Tail Volume Index) and it is suggested that they were under increased stress at this time due to rivalry between males around the mating season.

Establishing surface-sown pastures in a Poa labillardieri-Themeda australis association

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
MJ Keys ◽  
RD Murison ◽  
JJ Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Before And After

The effects of time and rate of application of glyphosate, 2,2-DPA and tetrapion on Poa labillardieri and Themeda australis were measured in seven experiments carried out 55 km south of Braidwood, on the southern tablelands of New South Wales between 1980 and 1982. In an eighth experiment (1981) and in a 35-ha demonstration (1983), at the same site, the effects of applying herbicides (before and after the autumn break) and surface-sowing Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea and Trifiolium repens with fertiliser on the control of P. labillardieri were ascertained. All three herbicides proved effective in reducing the ground cover of P. labillardieri from applications at any time of the year. For T. australis, tetrapion proved effective when applied at any time of the year, while glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were effective in all seasons except winter. Glyphosate at rates between 0.72 and 1.44 kg/ha a.i. was more cost effective than 2,2-DPA (11.1 kg/ha a.i.) and tetrapion (3.75 kg/ha a.i.). Best establishment and development of sown grasses and legumes was attained by applying herbicides after the autumn break but before heavy frosts, and then surface-sowing 1-3 months later. Control of P. labillardieri was best where P. aquatica and F. arundinacea established most densely.

The Demography of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales.

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Saunders
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
New South ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Protein Food ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Postnatal Mortality ◽  
Alpine Population ◽  
Autumn And Winter

The demography of a sub-alpine population of feral pigs was examined at Kosciusko National Park in south-eastern New South Wales. Reproductive data and age structures indicated a seasonal pattern of breeding, most births occurring in summer and autumn. It is proposed that a decreasing availability of high protein food in the autumn and winter months caused reduced rates of conception. Sows produced 0.84 litters per year with postnatal mortality as high as 85%. The population appeared relatively stable at a density of 1.6 pigs kg-2. Hunting, although illegal in a national park, removed 4.4-15.4% of pigs each year. The overall health and body condition of pigs was good, with no evidence of heavy parasitic burdens or disease. Age-specific body weight and body length in this study were greater than those reported for pigs in semi-arid wester New South Wales.

Predictions of likely theft by ants of oversown seed for the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
GG Johns ◽  
LR Greenup
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Seed Type ◽  
Fine Weather ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Seed Placement ◽  
Coated Seed ◽  
Observation Period

At Armidale, New South Wales, ant theft rates of pasture seeds at sites that had been topdressed with 10 kg ha-1 seed immediately before a four day observation period averaged 27 per cent less than on areas where no such application was made. Strong regression relationships were established between theft rates of the various seed types and both air and soil temperatures, but no relationship was found between either relative humidity or soil water availability and theft rate. High theft rates recorded in the first 24 hours after seed placement were not sustained over longer periods of time. A relationship between the decline in theft rate and the quantity of seed available was established. A series of predictions have been made of the proportion of seed likely to remain during fine weather following oversowing in the Armidale environment. These predictions incorporate seed type, time since sowing and prevailing air temperatures. It is predicted that during winter 70 to 80 per cent of bare seed and 90 to 97 per cent of coated seed could remain 30 days after oversowing. During summer the comparable figures are 7 to 30 per cent and 22 to 36 per cent respectively.

scholarly journals Seasonality and frequency of snake and goanna incursions on an Australian agricultural institute and the attitudes of staff regarding coexistence

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
Matthew Mo
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Human Safety ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Demonstration Site ◽  
Office Location

A number of snakes and goannas persist in areas frequented by humans, such as the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in New South Wales, Australia. This institute is used as both an office location and an agricultural demonstration site, which inevitably results in snakes and goannas coming close to institute buildings, prompting concerns for human safety. Reports of snakes and goannas within 100m of institute buildings were collected over a three-year period; an analysis of those data identified a seasonal pattern of incursions by three species between September and March. A short verbal survey revealed that more staff had encountered goannas than snakes. Most were cautious to curious when snakes and goannas were reported, whereas only a minority admitted to being fearful when snakes were reported.

Growth of pasture species on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lazenby ◽  
JV Lovett
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Available Soil Moisture ◽  
Capacitance Probe

The production of herbage by five pasture species—Phalaris tuberosa (phalaris), Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue), Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Medicago sativa (lucerne)—was measured when they were grown in the field in monoculture, and by phalaris and white clover when grown in mixture. The plots were irrigated to prevent water deficits, and five levels of nitrogen were included; the mixture was also grown under dryland conditions. All plots were defoliated at intervals during a period of 3 years. A capacitance probe was used in an attempt to determine harvest times more objectively, and to establish long-term relationships between meter readings and components of plant yield. Major differences in production were detected between the species, lucerne producing most in the first 2 years of the experiment. Nitrogen and available soil moisture affected both production and botanical composition, and significant differences were detected in species' responses to applied nitrogen and in nitrogen recovery. The performance of lucerne and tall fescue suggests that both species deserve to be more widely grown on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

Studies in the supplementation of grazing Friesian steers in the central coast area of New South Wales

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (87) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Davies H Lloyd ◽  
BG Lemcke
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Daily Intakes

Four groups of yearling Friesian steers were offered nil, 2.0 kg 4.0 kg and an ad libitum amount of a barley-based grain ration while grazing Trifolium repens, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea and Phalaris tuberosa based pastures from March 23 to September 7 at Camden, New South Wales. A fifth group was offered the cereal ration in pens with 10 per cent long hay added. The mean daily intakes of grain by the group offered it on pasture was 9.1 kg compared with 8.0 kg for the pen-fed group. The mean daily liveweight gains (kg) were: unsupplemented grazing, 0.51; 2.0 kg of barley, 0.57; 4.0 kg of barley, 0.70; 9.1 kg on pasture, 1.10; and the group offered barley in pens, 0.97. The differences in liveweight gain between 0 and 4.0 kg (P < 0.05); 0 and ad libitum (P < 0.01) and 4.0 and ad libitum (P < 0.05) were statistically significant. The response in liveweight to amount of grain fed was linear but the feed conversion ratio was superior for the group fed grain ad libitum on pasture. They had fewer health problems and gained weight more rapidly than the lot-fed group.

Selenium concentration in the blood of ruminants grazing in Northern New South Wales. 2. Relationship with geological, pedological and other variables

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands ◽  
JE Bowles ◽  
AJ Smith ◽  
GE Donald
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Selenium Concentration ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Low Concentrations

Selenium concentrations in blood from cattle from 794 farms in northern New South Wales were classified on the basis of underlying parent material, soil type, altitude and rainfall. Blood selenium concentrations declined from west to east, and with increasing rainfall and altitude; low concentrations were particularly evident on both acid and basic igneous rocks. There were significant differences between basalts in different locations and between particular plutonic bodies. Cattle grazing on soils with contrasting and gradational profiles generally had lower selenium concentrations than those grazing on soils with uniform profiles. Podzolic soils and chocolate-prairie and kraznozem-chocolate soil associations were present in areas with low blood selenium concentrations.

Distribution of Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, Warrens in relation to Soil Type

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 387 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Parer ◽  
JA Libke
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Semiarid Environment ◽  
High Soil ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Rabbit warrens in a semiarid environment of New South Wales were concentrated in those areas where impact penetrometer readings indicated friable soil to a depth of at least 75 cm. Isolated warrens in areas with few warrens were found in restricted patches of favourable soil. The absence of warrens from areas with shallow soil was considered to be due to high soil temperatures. The distribution of the rabbit in Australia was examined in relation to deep soil temperatures. It was suggested that the application of bituminous coating on ripped warrens may be a useful technique for the control of rabbits in the arid zone.

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