The red and green kangaroo paw is the floral emblem of Western Australia.
Kangaroo paw flowers are grown for both the local and export cut flower markets. They are also used as amenity plants providing a block of colour and are fairly drought tolerant.
Farms in the agricultural areas of south-west Western Australia are particularly susceptible to fire in the hot, dry summer months – accidental and intentionally started fires are not uncommon.
Chlorination effectively reduces problems with water colour, taste and odour, and treats bacterial contamination.
Six-spotted mite can defoliate avocado trees and grapevines in the lower south-west of Western Australia.
Natural enemies may keep numbers in check, but monitoring is important to assess whether chemical intervention is required especially in avocado orchards.
Apple looper (Phrissogonus laticostata) is a native insect that damages fruit in apple orchards and vineyards in the South West of Western Australia.
As looper larvae commence feeding on fruit, close monitoring during early fruit formation is critical to avoid damage.
Garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus) was accidentally introduced into Western Australia from South Africa. This weevil is now a severe pest of grapevines, deciduous fruit and other horticultural crops. Adults feed on any soft plant tissue, and the soil-borne larvae feed on roots.
The feed requirements of a ewe with a lamb at foot are higher than if the ewe and lambs are fed separately. In a difficult season with short feed supplies, it is better to early-wean lambs from their mothers to lower feed costs and ensure that the ewes regain condition before joining.
A national livestock standstill is when it is nationally agreed that specific livestock species affected by an emergency disease must not be moved. The livestock species affected by the standstill are named when the standstill is announced.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity risks.
Australia is free of FMD and an outbreak would severely impact Western Australia's access to livestock and livestock product export markets, worth about $2 billion annually.
In Western Australia, the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 requires that certain diseases must be reported to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) if they are known or suspected to be present.
