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

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)

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

Feeding stuffs for livestock - A guide to the composition of stock feeds grown in Western Australia

Inquires are often received concerning the relative values of various feeding stuffs. It is not always easy to answer these questions as the quality of most foods can be affected to a marked degree by the environment and the stage of maturity when the material is harvested. At times however, it is important to have a guide to the composition of a feeding stuff. Particularly is this so in times of stress when fodder reserves have to used to the maximum advantage, or when supplements have to be purchased. A table has been prepared, therefore, which shows the composition of typical samples of the more common foodstuffs. These will serve for the calculation of balanced rations and also to determine which of several foods is best suited for a particular purpose