Cobalt

Cobalt is one of the most interesting of the so-called trace elements. Particularly is this so to West Australians as the use of cobalt has permitted farmers to rear healthy sheep and cattle where previously this was impossible. Also, it was in this State that Filmer and Underwood carried out much of the fundamental work which led to the discovery of the vital importance of cobalt

The use of dried buttermilk to rear calves.

Only a limited number of calves are reared on dairy farms which sell whole milk. At current prices, it is only a very good calf which is worth more than the milk it would consume, and as a result, the heifer calves from thousands of productive cows are each year slaughtered at birth. In the past the whole milk supplier was able to obtain his herd replacements from farmers in the more distant dairying districts who of necessity sold butterfat and could rear calves on separated milk

A simple and effective cow bail

While visiting the property of Mr. R. Burke, Cowaramup, I saw in use a type of cow-bail which made an immediate appeal because of its simplicity, effectiveness and ease of working. Mr. Burke is obviously skilled at setting up practical time-saving devices but there seems to be no reason why other dairy farmers should not make use of the principle he employed

Cobalt - its use to control wasting disease

Cobalt is one of the most interesting of the so-called trace elements. Particularly is this so to West Australians as the use of cobalt has permitted farmers to rear healthy sheep and cattle where previously this was impossible. Also, it was in this State that Filmer and Underwood carried out much of the fundamental work which led to the discovery of the vital importance of cobalt

Vitamin A supplements for sheep and cattle

Vitamin A is essential for the health and wellbeing of all animals and birds. This vitamin is obtained by grazing animals from carotene, an orange pigment present in green plants. When plant material matures and dies, the carotene is quickly destroyed by sunlight. This means that dry herbage in the field becomes worthless as a source of Vitamin A

The use of rock phosphate from Christmas Island in poultry rations

Bonemeal, or products derived from bone, are the orthodox source of additional phosphorus where this is needed in livestock rations. Supplies of bones are limited, however, and there is an urgent need for alternative sources of phosphorus suitable for inclusion in compound feeding stuffs. Poultry farmers in Western Australia have had recurrent difficulty in obtaining regular supplies of bonemeal or boneflour. Dairy farmers were faced with the same problem but this now being overcome by the use of ground rock phosphate obtained from Christmas Island (Snook 1955)