School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses
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ItemThe phosphorus requirements of wheat crops grown in the Victorian Mallee( 1969)Some of the material presented in this thesis is based on papers which are already published or are in the process of publication. Paper 1 is taken from - McClelland, V. P. (1968). - Superphosphate on wheat : The cumulative effect of repeated applications on yield response. Aust. J. agric. Res. 19, 1-8. and paper 2 from - McClelland, V. P. (1968). - Superphosphate on wheat z The influence of previous level of application on current effect. Aust. J. exp. Agric. Anim. Husb. 9, 622-4. Other publications from this thesis will also be in this author's name.
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ItemAn economic study of small dairy farms in South Gippsland, Victoria( 1969)From the study of small dairy farms (defined as producing less than 10,000 pounds of butterfat in 1964-65) in the Shire of South Gippsland, and with the aid of a short-term linear programming model of a typical small dairy farm, it was concluded that alleviation of some of the problems of low-income dairy farms may be achieved by both increased levels of technology and increased farm area. The study began with a review of the structure of the dairy industry and an evaluation of research related to the low-income problem in that industry. An assessment of the extent and nature of the small-farm, low-income problem in the Shire of South Gippsland was made using the results of a survey of 26 small dairy farms in the Shire. To aid consideration of the conditions under which a typical small dairy farm, such as in the Shire of South Gippsland, might obtain a "reasonable" income (judged to be a farm income greater than $2,700), a linear programming model was constructed. The model was a short-term one designed to represent a typical small dairy farm. It was used to show the effects on income levels of the use of sideline enterprises such as vealers, pigs and sheep; the effects of changes in the level of technology (increases in production per cow and pasture production per acre), and the means of achieving improved levels; and also the effects of changes in farm area combined with changes in the level of technology. The marketing and support policies relating to the dairy industry play an important part in influencing the low-income problem, principally through the attraction of resources to the industry and the encouragement of resources already committed to the industry to remain. Such an effect calls for structural change and the reinstatement of the forces of supply and demand as the main determinants of the allocation of resources to the industry. The extent of the small-farm problem in the Shire of South Gippsland was indicated by the finding that 34 per cent of the dairy farms in the Shire produced less than 10,000 pounds of butterfat in 1964-65. The survey of 26 of these small dairy farms has permitted a clear definition of a typical small dairy farm in physical and financial terms. As well, it has highlighted the low income levels on such farms which obtained an average net farm income of $514 over the three years 1962-63 to 1964-65 and $769 in 1964-65. Only four of the survey farms had a net farm income greater than $2,000 in 1964-65. Farm-family welfare on most of the farms was considered to be inadequate and the allocation of resources to these farms was judged to be inefficient, even when the equalized and subsidized price for butterfat was taken to represent the social valuation, placed on butterfat. With an optimum allocation of the resources available to a typical small dairy farm, as represented in the linear programming model, it was found that either with or without sideline activities and with up to 400 acres of land such a farm could not be expected to produce a "reasonable" income. However, with moderate increases in the level of technology considerable increases in income levels were obtained (a farm income of $1,999 was obtained with a standard level of technology and 132 acres, but a farm income of $5,378 was obtained with an improved level of technology). It was also observed that the maximum income levels were obtained at farm areas somewhat larger than was typical of. the survey farms and that the farm area giving the maximum income increased with an improved level of technology. Other results indicated off-farm work to be helpful in raising income levels, but it is likely in the longer term to lead to deterioration of the farm. For this reason off-farm work may best be considered as a temporary expedient. It was found that pasture production was a major restriction preventing increased income and for this reason agistment played an important part in many of the plans derived. Working capital, as defined, was not shown to be a major limitation to the attainment of greater income. The value of linear programming in such a study was apparent. By specifying important relationships it was possible to determine the broad effects of a wide variety of changes that might be made. By making assumptions about the real situation and using a number of simplifications an understanding of a complex situation was made possible with this technique. The results showed the importance of increased farm area combined with higher levels of technology and this led to the suggestion that the proposed scheme for the encouragement of amalgamation of small dairy farms by the Commonwealth Government might well include some form of assistance in,planning farm development and raising levels of technology. Such assistance could be made conditional to the granting of help under the scheme. Although amalgamation and improvement in the level of technology are important adjustments, the problem of greater overall production as a result of such changes can only be overcome if changes in structure are made at both the farm and the national levels.
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ItemA study of the land in the Victorian catchment of Lake Hume( 1967)This report is the result of a broad-scale survey of the environment and land-use of the 3,900-square-mile Victorian catchment to Lake Hume. Because of the mountainous nature of much of the catchment, the climate varies considerably. Average annual precipitation ranges from about 30 inches with rare winter snow in the northern parts where elevations are low, to over 60 inches in the south-western highlands where snow forms the major part of winter precipitation. A strong rain shadow reduces annual rainfall to about 26 inches in the Omeo-Benambra area. The Cudgewa-Corryong area is in a less severe rain shadow with annual rainfall just below 30 inches. It seems probable that the Limestone Creek valley and several other valleys with north-easterly alignments may also be in rain shadows but there are no records to confirm this. Average temperatures for January and February, the hottest months, range from about 72 F. in the north-west down to about 51 F. on the highest peaks. In July, the coldest month, average temperatures range from around 46 F. down to about 29 F. The rocks are mostly poor in ferro-magnesian minerals; igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are more or less equally represented. The texture of the parent material is an important factor in soil formation in the lower-rainfall areas. Small areas of basalt occur at high elevations in the south-west and near Benambra. Mountains ranging from about 1,200 feet to over 6,500 feet make up most of the catchment. Plateaux varying from a few acres to more than 50 square miles occur over a similar range of elevations. Broad, mature valleys with extensive terraces and fans are a feature of the northern part of the catchment. Except for small areas of soil on calcium-rich alluvium near Benambra, the soils are all acid, and most are phosphorus deficient, but fairly well supplied with potassium. The soils of the high-rainfall areas are well leached. Most of the plant nutrients they contain are concentrated in the surface few inches. However, there has been little or no eluviation of clay or iron. In the soils of the lower-rainfall areas there has been eluviation of clay and iron, and the distribution of plant nutrients usually follows a similar trend, except for some concentration at the surface because of biological recycling. The most important agricultural soils are the red podzolics of the terraces and the alluvial brown earths of the stream flats in the northern valleys. The distribution of the vegetation is strongly influenced by temperature and by soil-moisture availability, which in turn is affected by other factors. As rainfall increases, on well-drained sites, the dominant vegetation ranges from dry sclerophyll forest to wet sclerophyll forest. Above about 4,500 feet elevation, low temperatures are important, and the sub-alpine woodland which occurs above the forest-form vegetation becomes stunted, and finally gives way to alpine shrubs, grassland and herbfield. Sphagnum-moss bogs are an important hygrophilous community in the alpine tract. The vast changes brought about by settlement have not always been beneficial. Clearing of forests without the establishment of vigorous pastures has led to excessive run-off, erosion and flash floods. The higher-rainfall and snow-fall areas are of vital importance because of the high and sustained yield of water from these areas. Lower-rainfall areas probably contribute little useful water to the irrigation storages. Forestry is an important form of land-use. The most productive forests are in high-rainfall areas, so care in forest operations is necessary to prevent deterioration in the hydrologic condition of these areas. The northern valleys are the most intensively farmed areas in the catchment. Dairying is a major industry, and the grazing of sheep for wool and meat, and beef-cattle fattening are also important. Although the terrace country generally carries improved pasture, pasture improvement and grazing management on hill country are problems. In the Omeo-Benambra country where the grazing of sheep for wool, and beef-cattle production are the major primary industries, there is scope for considerable improvement in pastures and in grazing management. The Omeo-Benambra country is the most severely gully-eroded area in the catchment and probably contributes more sediment to Lake Hume than any other area. Sheet erosion in the alpine areas is a serious problem because of the effect on infiltration and run-off, and the difficulty of obtaining revegetation. Erosion of the banks of major streams also contributes to sedimentation of the reservoir and destroys valuable river flats. The widespread use of fire to improve grazing in the higher-rainfall forests in the past has apparently led to development of dense undergrowth. This has reduced the value of this country for grazing and has created a considerable fire hazard. Fire protection is vital to all forms of land-use. For convenience in describing the distribution of the environmental factors, the catchment has been divided into land systems which are units based on recurring patterns of land forms. The environment, land-use, erosion and problems specific to each land system are described. Diagrams are used to illustrate the pattern of land forms and to tabulate the environment and land-use of each land system. From considerations of the interacting effects of all of the factors of the environment, assessments of land-use potential have been made which provide a basis for sound land management.
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ItemA study of the land in the Grampians area( 1967)The land covered by this survey is considered in two ways. First, for the area as a whole, an account is given of the major features of the environment significant for land-use, namely climate, parent material, topography, soils and native vegetation, together with the chief kinds of land-use and the forms of land deterioration. Second, an integrated assessment of the environmental features allows the recognition of land-systems and land-units, which are areas of land each with its characteristic pattern of features. The area of the survey lies in central-western Victoria where the winters are cool and wet and the summers are hot and comparatively dry. The average annual rainfall varies from 17+ inches on the northern plains to 35 inches in the central mountainous zone. There are flat depositional plains of unconsolidated sediments, undulating plains and hills formed on igneous and sedimentary rocks, dissected tablelands, and rugged sandstone mountains. The soil groups are considered in three broad categories, namely, deep infertile sands, heavy clays, and soils in which sandy loams overlie a clay subsoil. The most important forms of land-use are sheep grazing for fine wool on the plains, and the maintenance of water supply catchments in the mountains. Nineteen land-systems comprising forty-nine land-units have been mapped and described. Soil erosion and salting are not common on most of the land. Where they do occur, overall treatment, including catchment improvement, is required to overcome these problems. Productivity of much of the land already developed could, with safety, be increased to that of the best properties. Most areas of undeveloped Crown lands have a low potential for economic pastoral production or softwood plantations. However, the cover of native vegetation on these areas performs a valuable function as catchment protection.