@article {3672,
	title = {A comparison of the performance Romney and Wiltshire cross lambs to weaning},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {82},
	year = {2022},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {45-49},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {<p>New Zealand coarse-woolled sheep farmers today barely recover the costs of shearing. One option is to introduce a self-shedding breed such as the Wiltshire. A strategy to transition to a Wiltshire flock is to cross a ewe flock with Wiltshire rams and in subsequent years backcross with Wiltshire rams. The first year of a long-term study found the performance of first cross Wiltshire progeny were not different to the base Romney flock in terms of birth weight and growth to weaning. The ewe lambs from this first breeding were then bred as ewe lambs to Wiltshire rams in late April 2021 to generate {\textthreequarters} Wiltshire lambs. There were no differences (P\&gt;0.05) in fertility or fecundity between the {\textonehalf} Wiltshire cross or Romney ewe lambs. There were no differences in birth, docking or weaning weight with the exception that single-born {\textthreequarters} Wiltshire cross lambs had higher growth (P\&lt;0.05) from birth to weaning than their Romney counterparts. This effect was not (P\&gt;0.05) observed in twin lambs. Combined these results indicate to date that there are no negative impacts of introducing Wiltshire rams to a mixed-age Romney ewe flock in relation to ewe performance to 15 months of age and the performance of their {\textthreequarters} progeny to weaning.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Ridler AL and Kenyon PR and Andrews CJ and Burnham DL and Blair HT and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {A comparison of the ewe reproductive performance of Romney ewes bred to Romney or Wiltshire rams and the growth of their  progeny to weaning},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {136-140},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {This study reports the results of the first cross breeding of Romney ewes with Wiltshire rams as part of a grading-up transition. Romney mixed-age ewes were bred to either Romney (n=200) or Wiltshire rams (n=349) in March 2020. Ewe breeding pattern (cycle bred), reproductive performance (pregnancy and fecundity rates) and lambing performance (lambing rate, lamb birth and weaning live weight and lamb survival) were recorded. The reproductive performance of ewes bred to either Romney or Wiltshire rams showed few differences. There were no differences (P>0.05) in pregnancy, fecundity or lambing rates of ewes bred to either Romney or Wiltshire rams although minor differences (P<0.05) in the breeding pattern were observed. Lamb live weights at birth and in mid-lactation did not differ (P>0.05) among single, twin and triplet lambs sired by either Romney or Wiltshire rams, however at weaning Romney-sired triplet lambs were heavier than Wiltshire triplets (P<0.05). At weaning, a small percentage (1.6\%) of Wiltshire lambs showed early signs of fleece shedding. Combined, these results suggest that in this flock there was little
impact of introducing Wiltshire rams to a mixed-age Romney ewe flock on ewe reproductive performance and the growth of the F1 progeny to weaning. 

Keywords: Wiltshire; Romney; reproduction; growth; shedding},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Ridler AL and Kenyon PR and Blair HT and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {The effects of out-of-season breeding on plasma prolactin concentrations, wool production and lamb birth weight},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {129-135},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Performance of autumn- and spring-lambing ewes was compared in a year-long trial. Ewes were shorn in November and mated to lamb in May or August. Midside wool samples and plasma were collected at seven-week intervals to determine wool-growth rate, fleece characteristics, and prolactin concentrations. Autumn lambs were lighter (P<0.001) at birth and weaning (3.92{\textpm}0.1; 15.6{\textpm}0.7 kg) than spring lambs (5.27{\textpm}0.1; 25.3{\textpm}0.7 kg). Plasma prolactin concentrations were high (150 ng/ml) at mating (Dec) of autumn-lambing ewes, but low (50 ng/ml) at mating (March) of spring-lambing ewes. Both groups exhibited periparturient prolactin surges, but in autumn-lambing ewes this created high plasma prolactin concentrations during early pregnancy when plasma prolactin is usually very low. In autumn-lambing ewes, clean fleece weights (3.75{\textpm}0.11 kg), midside wool growth over 345 d (374{\textpm}12 mg/cm2) and fibre diameter (39.8{\textpm}0.5 mm) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of spring-lambing ewes (3.26{\textpm}0.12 kg; 331{\textpm}14 mg/cm2; 38.2{\textpm}0.5 mm respectively) whilst bulk and colour did not differ. Bulk was higher (P<0.05) in single-bearing ewes (21.1{\textpm}0.4 cm3/g) than in twin-bearing ewes (19.2{\textpm}0.7 cm3/g). It is postulated that elevated plasma prolactin concentrations (at key times) are related to seasonal differences in birth and fleece weights. Autumn lambing is beneficial for wool growth but detrimental for lamb birth weight and growth.


Keywords: out-of-season lambing; sheep; prolactin; wool growth; birth weight},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Peterson SW and Burnham DL and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Temperament of hand-reared beef-cross-dairy cattle does not influence production traits},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {57-62},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Abstract
Evaluation of temperament of calves early in life is associated with growth and meat quality in extensively farmed beef cattle. However, the relationship between temperament and performance is unclear for hand-reared beef-cross-dairy calves. This experiment analysed temperament of 1077 Angus- and Hereford-sired cattle born to dairy-breed cows and hand-reared, and evaluated the value of these measurements as predictors of growth and meat quality traits. Cattle in this study were calm, with mean exit velocity (EV) between 0.76 and 1.15 m/s from 200 d to 800 d, crush score (CS) between 1.38 and 1.79 from 200 d to slaughter (1-5 scale), and measurements were highly correlated at all ages (P<0.05). Temperament at 200 d and 400 d was not related to growth, but CS was related to growth from 600-800 d (-0.011 kg/d for a 1-point increase in CS at 600 d, P<0.05). Temperament at 800 d or before slaughter was not related to meat ultimate pH or colour score. The small variation in temperament among animals was probably the consequence of cattle being acclimatised to the presence of humans due to hand-rearing and frequent handling. Therefore, temperament is unlikely to be an issue in hand-reared beef-cross-dairy cattle and should not influence growth and meat quality traits.
Keywords: Artificial rearing; beef-on-dairy; beef production; crush score; exit speed; exit velocity; flight time},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Martin NP and Schreurs NM and Morris ST and Lopez-villalobos N and McDade JL and Hickson RE}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Body condition scoring of sheep: intra- and inter-observer variability},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {80},
	year = {2020},
	month = {09/2020},
	pages = {107-112},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Body condition scoring (BCS) is a hands-on tool that farmers can use to make decisions about their animal feeding and management.
BCS, however, is a subjective measure of the muscle and fat cover of the lumbar spine. Observers, therefore, may show variability
in scores both across time and from other observers. This study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-observer variation of both
farmers and research technicians as part of a learning exercise of a farmer-learning group based at Massey University between
2011 and 2015. Nineteen farmers and three research technicians condition scored 45 mixed-age ewes on two consecutive days.
Data from both farmers and technicians were analysed to determine the intra- and inter-observer variability using a weighted
kappa. The results indicate that the majority of farmers and technicians had {\textquoteleft}excellent{\textquoteright} agreement (21 of the 22 observers had
kappa values greater than 0.75) between days. Similarly, among pairs of observers the agreement was also {\textquoteleft}excellent{\textquoteright} (212 of
231 comparisons had kappa values greater than 0.75). The distribution of scores that contributed to each median condition score,
however, indicated that lower scores (1, 1.5 and 2) has less variability than did higher scores (2.5 or greater). These results suggest
that BCS is a robust farm-management tool that can be used with a high degree of repeatability.
Keywords: body condition scoring; intra-observer variability, inter-observer variability},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Sewell AM and Kemp P and Wood BA and Gray DI and Morris ST and Blair HT and Kenyon PR}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Relationship between body condition score and pregnancy rates following artificial insemination and subsequent natural mating in beef cows on commercial farms in New Zealand},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {80},
	year = {2020},
	month = {09/2020},
	pages = {14-20},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Body condition scoring is an efficient on-farm visual-assessment tool used to describe the energy reserves of animals. Cow body
condition score (BCS) at crucial time points throughout the year is likely to influence reproductive performance. The aim of this
experiment was to examine the influence of BCS before calving, before mating and at weaning on reproductive performance of
mature beef cows. Percentage of cows conceiving to a single artificial insemination (AI) at a synchronised oestrus and pregnancy
rate after 49 days of mating were determined for a total of 2,683 individual cows. Cows with a greater than average BCS had
greater pregnancy rate to AI than did those with low BCS (P<0.001). The percentage of animals conceiving to AI was on average
54.8\% but was lower at 42.5\% for pre-mating BCS 4.5 or greater at 64.5\% for BCS 9.0 (P<0.001). Cows had greater overall
pregnancy rate after 49 days of mating with greater BCS; ranging from 88.3\%, 75.7\% and 79.7\% for BCS 4.5 before calving,
before mating and at weaning, respectively, to 93.5\%, 93.3\% and 93.3\% for BCS 8.0 at the same time points. Increasing BCS up
to 7 is likely to improve overall pregnancy rate, and most benefit tends to come from improving BCS in lower-conditioned cows
to achieve high pregnancy results.

Keywords: beef cows; BCS; reproductive performance; pregnancy rate; artificial insemination},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Weik F and Archer JA and Morris ST and Garrick DJ and Hickson RE}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Comparison of meat quality characteristics of lambs weaned at eight or 14 weeks of age grazing perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture or a plantain-clover mix},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {159-161},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {This study compared the meat quality of lambs grazing either perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture or a plantain-clover mix (plantain, red clover, and white clover) from eight to 14 weeks of age followed by a six-week finishing period on perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture. Ewes and their lambs were allocated to four treatments: 1) lambs weaned early (eight weeks of age) on a plantain-clover mix (EARLY), 2) lambs with dam grazing a plantain-clover mix (HERB), 3) lambs with dam grazing pasture  >1200 kgDM/ha (HIGH), and 4) lambs with dam grazing pasture <1200 kgDM/ha (LOW). Following the treatment period, all lambs weighing a minimum of 35 kg were sent for slaughter and all remaining lambs were managed and finished as one mob on perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture for a further six weeks. Lambs that reached a minimum 35 kg live weight were slaughtered and meat samples from each lamb were analysed for ultimate pH, meat colour (L*, a*, b*), drip loss and shear force but, no difference was found in objective meat quality characteristics of lambs from different treatments.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kok JC and Schreurs NM and Cranston LM and Corner-Thomas RA and Ekanayake WEMLJ and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Does stocking rate of singleton ewes during lambing and lactation affect performance?},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {95-97},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {The impact of singleton-ewe stocking rate (SR, 11, 13, 15 ewes ha) during lactation on ewe and lamb performance to weaning was examined over three years. Pasture mass before lambing in 2014 was considerably higher than that in both 2015 and 2016.  At weaning in 2014 there was no effect (P>0.05) of SR on ewe live weight, while in 2015 and 2016, SR 11 ewes were heavier (P<0.05) at weaning than both SR 13 and 15 ewes.  Lamb live weight during lactation was not affected (P>0.05) by SR in any year.  Combined, these data suggest that when pasture mass is high, SR of up to 15 ewes per ha can be utilised but at lower pasture covers increasing SR will negatively affect ewe, but not lamb live weight.  Farmers, therefore, need to consider carefully if they should utilise higher SR under these circumstances. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Corner-Thomas RA and Cranston LM and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Impacts of live weight of ewe lambs at mating on their reproductive performance},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {87-90},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {This experiment investigated the impacts of heavier live weight of twin-born ewe lambs at mating on reproductive performance. Romney ewe lambs (n=270) were allocated to one of two groups: {\textquoteleft}Heavy{\textquoteright} (48.0{\textpm}3.8 kg), had been preferentially fed from weaning to breeding, or {\textquoteleft}Control{\textquoteright} (44.8{\textpm}3.5 kg). Both groups were exposed to crayon-harnessed vasectomised rams for 68 days before breeding, and then were bred to entire Romney rams for 34 days. Crayon marks were recorded every 17 days. Heavy ewe lambs were more likely to be mated in the first 17 days of breeding (69.9\% vs. 54.8\%, P<0.05), mated in the entire breeding period (85.1\% vs. 69.4\%, P<0.01) and had a greater litter size (0.99 vs. 0.65; P<0.01) than did Control ewe lambs. Heavier live weight at mating improved reproductive performance of ewe lambs. These results emphasise the importance of an adequate live weight at breeding for reproductive success in ewe lambs.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Haslin E and Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Pettigrew EJ and Hickson RE and Blair HT}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Meat quality of light-weight, yearling steers of dairy origin},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {156-158},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Loline, an alkaloid produced by Neotyphodium endophytes in pastoral grass species with potential antimicrobial properties, has several known derivatives; N-formyl loline (NFL), N-acetyl loline (NAL), N-acetyl norloline (NANL), N-methyl loline (NML), and loline base, though the availability and form during rumen fermentation and digestion is unclear. Festuca pratensis seeds either with (LOL) or without (NIL) lolines (150-200 {\textmu}g/mL) were incubated in either sterile or viable rumen fluid or in either HCL/pepsin (pH 2) or water (pH 7). At 72 hours LOL in sterile rumen fluid had 23\%, 26\%, and 45\% more NFL (P=0.05), NANL (P=0.04), and loline base (P=0.01) respectively, with 27\% more total loline present (P=0.06), and 65\% more NML (P=0.09) compared with LOL in viable rumen fluid. Loline tended to alter the fermentation pattern as NIL produced 11\% more ammonia (P=0.07), and 5\% less propionate (P=0.06) than LOL. In HCL/pepsin there were 38\%, 49\%, and 39\% more total lolines (P=0.05), NANL (P=0.02), and NFL (P=0.04) respectively, compared with water. Rumen and abomasal digestion appear to have a small effect on loline{\textquoteright}s form and concentration with only slight alteration to the rumen fermentation pattern. Presence of lolines had little evidence of an antimicrobial effect.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pike SJ and Schreurs NM and Hickson RE and Hunt JJ and Kenyon PR and Garrick DJ and Blair HT and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Characterisation of the nutritional composition of plant components of a herb-clover mix during November to May in New Zealand},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {162-167},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Animal performance on herb-clover mixes (containing plantain, chicory, red clover and white clover) can be inconsistent. Potentially this could be due to variation in botanical and nutritional composition of plant components affecting animal selectivity and, thus, performance. Herbage samples were collected monthly from November 2016 to May 2017, from 3 paddocks located at Massey University{\textquoteright}s Keeble farm, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Quadrat-cut samples were used to determine the herbage mass and botanical composition. Hand-plucked samples of each plant components were analysed for the nutritional composition. The botanical composition of the herb-clover mix differed over time (P<0.05). The percentage of chicory stems increased (9.2 to 16.2\%) and plantain stems decreased (14.7 to 1.0\%, P<0.001). Overall, the crude protein and metabolisable energy of white clover, red clover, plantain and chicory leaves were higher (P<0.05) than those of plantain and chicory stems in each month except in November. These data indicate that a higher proportion of chicory and plantain stems in a herb-clover mix would reduce overall metabolisable energy and crude protein. This information can be useful for farmers to manipulate both the botanical and nutritional composition of herb-clover mix to optimise animal performance.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ekanayake WEMLJ and Corner-Thomas RA and Cranston LM and Hickson RE and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {The effect of herbage type prior to fasting on the rate of liveweight loss during fasting in ewe lambs},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {131-134},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Animal performance on herb-clover mixes (containing plantain, chicory, red clover and white clover) can be inconsistent. Potentially this could be due to variation in botanical and nutritional composition of plant components affecting animal selectivity and, thus, performance. Herbage samples were collected monthly from November 2016 to May 2017, from 3 paddocks located at Massey University{\textquoteright}s Keeble farm, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Quadrat-cut samples were used to determine the herbage mass and botanical composition. Hand-plucked samples of each plant components were analysed for the nutritional composition. The botanical composition of the herb-clover mix differed over time (P<0.05). The percentage of chicory stems increased (9.2 to 16.2\%) and plantain stems decreased (14.7 to 1.0\%, P<0.001). Overall, the crude protein and metabolisable energy of white clover, red clover, plantain and chicory leaves were higher (P<0.05) than those of plantain and chicory stems in each month except in November. These data indicate that a higher proportion of chicory and plantain stems in a herb-clover mix would reduce overall metabolisable energy and crude protein. This information can be useful for farmers to manipulate both the botanical and nutritional composition of herb-clover mix to optimise animal performance.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Semakula J and Corner-Thomas RA and Morris ST and Blair HT and Kenyon PR}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Farm-management tools: reasons for the decision not to use specific tools},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {125-130},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {There are a large number of management tools available to farmers, however, some are utilised by only a small percentage. The reasons behind the choice not to use a particular tool were investigated using a postal questionnaire that was distributed to all New Zealand sheep farmers in 2014. Farmers were asked first to indicate from a list of 40 farm-management tools those they had used in the previous three years. For tools they had not used, they were asked to select one from a list of eight reasons. A total of 1659 usable questionnaires were received. The most commonly cited reason for not using any given tool was {\textquotedblleft}not relevant to my situation{\textquotedblright} (50.3\%) followed by {\textquotedblleft}benefits not apparent{\textquotedblright} (15.3\%) and {\textquotedblleft}it{\textquoteright}s an unwanted complication{\textquotedblright} (15.0\%). Demographic factors (age, education, gender, farm type and flock size) influenced the reasons for non-use of 20 of the 22 tools. Reasons for non-use of fecundity-boosting vaccine or quarantine treatment for footrot were not influenced (P>0.05) by any demographic factors. The results suggest that although many farmers do not see the relevance of particular tools to their enterprise, demographic factors can influence their reasons for not using a tool.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Ridler AL and Hickson RE and Greer AW and Logan CM and Blair HT}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Differences in birth weight and neonatal survival rate of lambs born to ewe hoggets or mature ewes},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {16-20},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {This experiment investigated differences in birth weights and survival in lambs born to hogget and mature ewes. It included 1082 mature ewes with a scanning rate of 1.87 fetuses per ewe joined and 1026 hoggets with a scanning rate of 0.80 fetuses per hogget joined, that were bred together, and lambed separately, under commercial farming conditions. At lambing, birth weight, lamb vigour score, and ewe maternal behaviour score were recorded. Lambs born to hoggets were lighter and less vigorous than lambs born to mature ewes (P<0.05). Single-born lambs were heavier at birth (P<0.05), and had greater survival at birth (P<0.05) than did twin-born lambs. Twin-born lambs were heavier (P<0.05) at birth, and had greater survival at birth (P<0.05) than triplets. There was an interaction of dam age and birth rank on lamb survival to weaning (P<0.01). At all birth ranks lambs born to hoggets had lower survival to weaning than lambs born to mature ewes, and the difference in survival increased with increasing birth rank. Lambs that had a vigour score of 1 had lower survival (83.5\%; P<0.05) than lambs that had a vigour score of either 2 or 3 (88.6- and 91.4\%, respectively). Maternal behaviour score did not affect lamb survival (P>0.05). Lambs born to hoggets are at greater risk of mortality, so farmers need to prioritise their time and resources towards hoggets at lambing time.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pettigrew EJ and Hickson RE and Blair HT and Griffiths KJ and Ridler AL and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Effects of early weaning onto herb-clover mixes on lamb carcass characteristics},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {189-193},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {Ewes and their twin lambs (weighing at least 16 kg) were allocated to three treatments: lambs with dams on ryegrass-white clover
(RG-WC) pasture until 15 weeks of age (GRASS) (lambs; n=50), lambs with dams on herb-clover mixes (plantain, chicory, red
and white clovers) until 15 weeks of age (HERB) (lambs; n=50), and lambs weaned early (8 weeks old) onto herb-clover mixes and
dams on RG-WC pasture (EARLY) (lambs; n=50). Average daily gain, GR soft-tissue depth and muscularity of lambs in EARLY
and GRASS were lower than those in the HERB treatment (P<0.05). The muscle to bone ratio of lambs in HERB treatment was
higher than those in the EARLY treatment (P<0.05). Lambs can be weaned at 8 weeks of age onto herb-clover mixes to achieve
similar carcass characteristics compared to lambs weaned at 15 weeks of age on RG-WC pasture. Lambs weaned early onto herbclover
mixes had lower growth rates than the lambs not weaned early on herb-clover mixes. There were no negative effects on
lamb carcass characteristics and lean-meat yield (LMY) when lambs were slaughtered at a set weight.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Wong HX and Schreurs NM and Corner-Thomas RA and Ekanayake WEMLJ and Cranston LM and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Effects of lamb live weight, sex and forage type (grass or plantain-clover mix) on lamb growth during summer},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {199-203},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {Two studies were carried out, over consecutive summers, to examine the effect of lamb sex and initial live weight on liveweight
gain when grazing a grass-based sward (undeveloped hill country pasture) or a plantain-clover mix (plantain, red clover and white
clover sown on cultivatable hill country). There were no interactions (P>0.05) between the sex of the lamb, initial live weight
or forage type on lamb liveweight gain. In year 1, ewe lambs grew at a slower rate than wethers (169 vs 181 g/day; P<0.01), but
there was no difference between the two sexes in year 2 (P>0.05). In both years lambs with a lighter initial liveweight profile were
also lighter (P<0.001) at the end of the study, but there was no difference (P>0.05) in the liveweight gains of the light and heavy
lambs. In both years lambs grazing the plantain-clover mix grew 47-141 g/day faster than did lambs grazing the grass-based sward
(P<0.001). This indicates that the plantain-clover mix can be utilised for a range of lamb classes, with similar positive results.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Cranston LM and Schreurs NM and Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Is it possible to produce good quality meat from Holstein-Friesian bulls?},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {194-199},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {There is potential to increase the value of meat from Holstein-Friesian bulls by increasing the proportion of carcasses that are of
suitable quality to be eligible for primal cuts sold in high-value markets. The objective of this study was to explore relationships
between carcass and meat-quality traits from Holstein-Friesian bulls between 21-38 months of age, slaughtered on different
occasions. Meat samples of M. longissimus lumborum were collected at slaughter and chill-aged at -1.5{\textordmasculine}C for seven days. The
means ({\textpm}s.d.) were: carcass weight 313{\textpm}29 kg (n=256), dressing-out 54.7{\textpm}2.6\% (n=256), ultimate pH 5.9{\textpm}0.38 (n=221), shear
force 11.34{\textpm}4.93 kgF (n=221), cook loss 28.4{\textpm}5.4\% (n=220) and colour indexes (n=159) L* (lightness) 36.06{\textpm}2.96, a* (redness)
12.38{\textpm}4.04 and b* (yellowness) 8.74{\textpm}2.24. A total of 80 samples (36\%) were found to be both of acceptable tenderness (below
10.9 kgF) and pH less than 5.8. Alleviating meat pH issues is required to ensure high-quality meat from bulls that is suitable for
high-value primal cuts.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Martin NP and Schreurs NM and Morris ST and McDade JL and Craigie CR and Hickson RE}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Effect of cow body condition score on inter-calving interval, pregnancy diagnosis, weaning rate and calf weaning weight in beef cattle},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {23-28},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {The aim of this study was to describe the effect of cow body condition score (BCS) on pregnancy rate, inter-calving interval, wean-ing rate and birth and weaning weights of calves. Measurements of BCS in a herd of mixed age (2-10 years), predominantly Angus, beef cows were recorded annually four times between November 2012 and March 2015, at joining/rebreeding (November), wean-ing/pregnancy diagnosis (PD, March), winter (June) and calving (August). Year influenced BCS (P<0.05) and BCS was greatest at weaning 2014. Two-year-old cows had greater BCS (P<0.05) than three-year-old and the mixed age cows. Pregnancy rate was no different (P>0.05) between BCS at calving, joining and PD. Cows that increased BCS from joining to PD had lower pregnancy rate than cows that maintained or decreased BCS during this period, although it is unclear whether this association reflects an influence of BCS on pregnancy rate, or whether the BCS change was a result of differing pregnancy status. Greater BCS at joining was associated with lower calf birth weights. Body condition score at each event was not associated with inter-calving interval or calf weaning weight. Further research is still required to determine the optimum BCS at each stage of the production cycle.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Tait IM and Morris ST and Kenyon PR and Garrick DJ and Pleasants AB and Hickson RE}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The effect of grazing ewe lambs on lucerne (Medicago sativa) prior to breeding on aspects of reproductive performance},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {55-60},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {Ewe lamb breeding can result in low and variable reproductive performance which is one of the reasons given by farmers for not breeding their ewe lambs. Ewe lamb twinning rates are known to be increased with greater ewe liveweight gain in the weeks leading up to the introduction of the ram. The hypothesis was that offering lucerne for a one-month period that ended 14 days prior to breeding would alter the pattern of breeding (i.e. cycle of conception) and pregnancy and reproductive rates of ewe lambs. Of-fering lucerne had no effect (P>0.05) on the pattern of breeding in both years of the study, respectively. Offering lucerne, however, resulted in a greater percentage of ewe lambs diagnosed with twin-fetuses compared to those offered unimproved ryegrass pastures in 2015 (35\% vs. 18\%, respectively). In 2016, however, there was no effect of grazing lucerne on reproductive rate. The difference between years was likely the result of lower lucerne masses offered in 2015 than in 2016. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Panns JM and Kemp PD and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The effect of live weight at weaning on liveweight gain of early weaned lambs onto a herb-clover mixed sward},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {37-42},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {Twin lambs that weighed a minimum of 16 kg (n=134 in 2014 and n=124 in 2015) were randomly allocated to one of three treat-ments: (i) Early weaning (54 and 46 days after the midpoint of lambing in 2014 and 2015, respectively) onto a herb-clover mixed sward (plantain, chicory, red clover and white clover) (HerbEW); (ii) Lambs + dams unweaned on a herb-clover mixed sward until conventional weaning at approximately  13 weeks of age  (HerbCW); and (iii) Lambs + dams unweaned on a grass-clover mixed sward until conventional weaning (GrassCW). In 2014, overall greater (P<0.05) liveweight gains were found in HerbCW lambs followed by HerbEW and GrassCW lambs. In 2015, liveweight gains of HerbCW and GrassCW lambs did not differ (P>0.05), but were greater than gains of HerbEW lambs (P<0.05). In 2014, HerbEW lambs that were > 20 kg grew more quickly than HerbEW lambs that were <18 kg (P<0.05). In 2015, HerbEW lambs had similar rate of liveweight gain irrespective of their live weight at treatment allocation (P>0.05). Lambs can be weaned early onto herb-clover mixed swards and achieve greater liveweight gains after wean-ing compared to lambs unweaned on grass-clover mixed sward. Weaning lambs less than 20 kg onto herb-clover mixed sward, however, can result in lower lamb liveweight gain compared to heavier lambs.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ekanayake WEMLJ and Corner-Thomas RA and Cranston LM and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The effect of mid-pregnancy nutrition and body condition score on the behaviour of triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {143-148},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {Nutrition of ewes during pregnancy may affect the behaviour of ewes and their lambs in the first few days of life. In this experiment, triplet-bearing ewes were allocated {\textquoteleft}medium{\textquoteright} (pasture mass 800-1200 kg DM/ha) or ad-libitum nutrition (pasture mass 1500-2000 kg DM/ha) from day 93 until 114 of pregnancy. Both treatments included ewes of body condition score (BCS) <=2.0, 2.5 or >=3.0 as measured on day 92 of pregnancy. Behaviours of ewes and lambs were recorded in the paddock at tagging and a subset of lambs was subjected to a maternal-recognition test. Within the BCS<=2.0 ewe group, lambs born to ewes on the medium treatment emitted more high-pitched bleats and lower low-pitched bleats than lambs born to ewes on the ad-libitum treatment. In the paddock, there was no effect of ewe feeding treatment or BCS group on the median time taken for the lambs to stand, make contact with, suck from or follow their dam. In the maternal-recognition test, the median time taken for the lambs to reach the dam and the time the lambs spent with her was not affected by ewe BCS or feeding treatment. Overall the results indicate that feeding triplet-bearing ewes above pregnancy requirements has minimal effect on lamb behaviours. There is, however, some evidence to suggest that lambs born to ewes in the BCS<=2.0 group offered the medium treatments may have experienced a weaker ewe-lamb bond. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gronqvist GV and Hickson RE and Corner-Thomas RA and Stafford KJ and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The effect of yard weaning and contact with humans on behavioural reactivity and liveweight gain of beef breed calves},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {8-12},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {Yard weaning of beef-breed calves is growing in popularity in New Zealand as a way of improving ease of handling, but there is little scientific literature regarding the practice. This experiment examined the effects of yard weaning versus paddock weaning with and without human contact on liveweight gain and behaviour. Paddock-weaned calves lost more live weight in the first sev-en days after weaning (-1.19 {\textpm} 0.17 kg/d versus -0.60 {\textpm} 0.16 kg/d; P=0.01) than yard-weaned calves but live weight was similar between treatments 42 days after weaning (D42). Yard-weaned calves tended to be less reactive than paddock-weaned calves on D7 (2.16 {\textpm} 0.28 versus 2.92 {\textpm} 0.33; P= 0.07, where one is least reactive and five is most reactive), but there were no differences in reactivity on D42. Faecal corticosterone concentrations were similar between weaning location, however, calves with minimal human contact had higher faecal corticosterone concentrations 48 hours after weaning than did calves with daily human contact (27.6 {\textpm} 2.11 ng/ml versus 18.6 {\textpm} 2.11 ng/ml; P<0.01), regardless of location. There were short-term advantages in live weight and heart rate associated with yard weaning of beef-breed calves, but these did not persist to D42. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ramsay BA and Schoorl JAJ and Stayton KM and Cranston LM and Morris ST and Burnham DL and Cockrem JF and Beausoleil NJ and Hickson RE}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Days to calving and intercalving interval in beef and dairy-beef crossbred cows},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {31-33},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {One important attribute of a beef-breeding cow is the
ability to wean a calf every year. Furthermore, an earlierborn
calf is likely to be heavier at weaning and its dam has
more opportunity to conceive again during the following
breeding season. In a spring-calving system under the
seasonal pastoral-grazing system in New Zealand, a 365-
day intercalving interval is desirable. A normal gestation
length is 280 days leaving 85 days for a cow to resume
oestrous cycles and conceive again to maintain the 365-
day calving interval. Literature estimates of the interval
between calving and the first oestrous cycle post-calving
are 53-82 days for mixed-aged beef-breeding cows and
81-95 days for first-lactation beef-breeding cows (Hickson
et al. 2012; Knight \& Nicoll 1978; Morris et al. 1978;
Smeaton et al. 1986), indicating that a 365-day calving
interval is difficult to maintain.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Hickson RE and Martin NP and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The use of farm-management tools by New Zealand sheep farmers: changes with time},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {78-80},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {The utilisation of farm-management tools by New
Zealand sheep farmers can support on-farm decision
making, thus facilitating improvements in productivity and
profitability of the farming enterprise. There are numerous
management tools available to farmers, for example, a
recent report identified 127 tools that were available to
New Zealand farmers (Allen \& Wolfert 2011). Although
a large number of tools are accessible to farmers, a survey
of sheep farmers conducted in 2012 by Corner-Thomas
et al. (2015) identified many that were utilised by only a
small percentage of farmers. This indicates that there is the
potential for increased uptake of management tools which,
if relevant, may lead to benefits in on-farm productivity.
The aim of the current study was to determine for
sheep farmers in New Zealand, if use of farm-management
tools had changed over a two-year period.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Ridler AL and Hickson RE and Greer AW and Logan CM and Blair HT}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Does ewe nutrition during pregnancy affect the neonatal behaviour of twin-born lambs?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {8-13},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {In this experiment the effects of feeding treatments from mid pregnancy until lambing on the behaviour of twin-bearing ewes and their lambs were investigated. Fifty seven four-year-old Romney ewes were offered a medium (1164 {\textpm} 31.6 and 819 {\textpm} 16.0 kg DM/ha pre- and post-grazing pasture mass, respectively) or ad libitum (2181 {\textpm} 47.6 and 1431 {\textpm} 24.6 kg DM/ha pre- and post-grazing pasture mass, respectively) feeding treatment from day 76 of pregnancy until after lambing. At ear-tagging the time taken for the lambs to stand, make contact with, suck from and follow their dam was recorded. A maternal behaviour score based on the distance the ewe moved away from her lambs during tagging was also recorded. Survival analysis showed that lambs born to ewes offered the medium feeding treatment from mid pregnancy until lambing were quicker to stand, suck and follow compared with lambs born to ewes offered the ad libitum feeding treatment (P<0.05). It is unclear whether these behaviours indicate that lambs born to ewes in the medium treatment were more vigorous or that they had unmet needs that prompted the apparent increase in vigour. Ewe feeding treatments did not affect the maternal behaviour of the ewes.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gronqvist GV and Hickson RE and Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Growth of early weaned lambs on a plantain-clover mix compared with lambs suckling their dam on a plantain-clover mix or a grass based sward},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {65-68},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {Plantain-clover mixes have high metabolisable energy content and have been shown to support greater liveweight gains in lambs
both pre- and post-weaning when compared with grass. The aim of this experiment was to determine if a plantain-clover mix
could be used as a means to wean lambs earlier. Twin-bearing ewes (n=67) with both lambs at a minimum live weight of 16
kg each were allocated to one of three treatments; 1) ewe and lambs together on grass, 2) ewes and lambs together on plantain-
clover mix, 3) lambs weaned at approximately 8 weeks of age onto a plantain-clover mix and ewes on grass. Lambs that
were weaned early were lighter (P<0.05) at approximately 14 weeks of age than those which remained with their dam on either
a plantain-clover mix or grass (32.3{\textpm}0.43 vs 34.7{\textpm}0.44 vs 33.7{\textpm}0.45 kg, respectively). However, ewes which had their lambs
weaned early were heavier (P<0.05; 79.7{\textpm}1.73 vs 75.5{\textpm}1.68 vs 75.9{\textpm}1.64 kg, respectively) and in better body condition score
(P<0.05; 3.1{\textpm}0.05 vs 2.9{\textpm}0.05 vs 2.9{\textpm}0.05, respectively) than those which remained with their lambs on either a plantain-clover
mix or grass. This suggests early weaning improved ewe condition but did not improve lamb performance},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Cranston LM and Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The influence of age and breed of cow on colostrum indicators of suckled beef calves},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {163-168},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {Rearing a calf to weaning is a key measure of performance in a beef breeding cow herd. Adequate intake of colostral antibodies
by the calf in the first few hours of life is important for passive transfer of immunity, and so is beneficial for calf survival. This
experiment aimed to examine the role of udder conformation, maternal age and breed-cross on the colostral status of suckled
calves. Udder conformation of Angus, Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross cows was scored
according to Animal Evaluation Limited and BreedPlan standards, and colostral status of calves was determined based on gamma
glutamyltransferase activity, immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations at 24-48 hours of age. Udder conformation was
similar (P>0.05) among breed-crosses except Angus cows had looser front udder attachment, lower rear udder attachment and less
desirable udders overall than Angus-cross-dairy cows (P<0.05). Most udder conformation scores did not affect colostral status of
calves. The exception was teat placement score, for which more outward-pointing teats were associated with improved colostrum
status of calves (P<0.05). Survival to weaning was greater for calves with adequate compared with inadequate colostral status
(P<0.001).},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hickson RE and Back PJ and Martin NP and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Beef cattle wintering systems: effects on cattle and pasture.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {167-171},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { The wet winter months are a risk period for damage to pasture under grazing systems in New Zealand. The use of stand-off pads
and alternative forages and grazing systems may alleviate these risks, but may also impact on the performance and welfare of
cattle. This experiment compared four wintering systems for growing beef calves (9{\textendash}11 months old, n=103) in terms of growth
rate and welfare of calves, and damage to pasture. Treatments were a forage crop of oats, set-stocked grazing on pasture, breakfed
on pasture, and break-fed on pasture with use of a concrete feedpad and wood-shavings stand-off area when the soil was wet.
Liveweight gain was greatest (P<0.05) for the set-stocked (0.81{\textpm}0.02 kg/day) and break-fed calves (0.52{\textpm}0.02 kg/day), and least
for the calves in the feedpad (0.19{\textpm}0.02 kg/day) and crop treatments (0.10{\textpm}0.02 kg/day). The percentage of calves lying down was
least in the break-fed and oats treatments (P<0.05) but faecal corticosterone concentration was greatest in the feedpad treatment
(P<0.05). Pasture damage was greater under rotational grazing (score 3.8/5) than set stocking (score 2.9/5), but use of the feedpad
did not prevent damage to pasture (score 3.4/5). Set-stocking had the best outcomes for calves and pasture.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Little CL and Hickson RE and Martin NP and Beausoleil NJ and Cockrem JF and Kenyon PR and Horne D and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Composition of milk sampled from beef-cross-dairy cows unaccustomed to milking.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {260-262},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hickson RE and Back PJ and Coleman LW and Lopez-Villalobos N and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Walking distance and energy expenditure of beef cows grazing on hill country in winter},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {164-166},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Martin NP and Hickson RE and Draganova I and Horne D and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The effect of ewe nutrition and body condition score during very late pregnancy and the perinatal period on the behaviour of twin-bearing ewes and their lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {219-222},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { Nutrition of ewes during pregnancy may affect the behaviour and survival of lambs. In this experiment, ewes were allocated {\textquoteleft}low{\textquoteright}
(pasture mass 800-1000 kg DM/ha), {\textquoteleft}medium{\textquoteright} (pasture mass 1200-1400 kg DM/ha) or {\textquoteleft}high{\textquoteright} nutrition (pasture mass 1500-1700
kg DM/ha) from day 141 of pregnancy until weaning. All treatments included ewes of body condition score (BCS) 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0
as measured on day 98 of pregnancy to give a 3x3 factorial design. Behaviours of ewes and lambs were recorded in the paddock
at tagging 3-18 hours after birth. Lambs born to ewes on the high treatment were quicker to stand than those on the low treatment
(median time 15.5 versus 53.5 seconds; P<0.05), but neither group differed from lambs on the medium treatment (16.5 seconds;
P>0.05). There were no differences among treatments or BCS groups in time taken for the lamb to make contact with dam, suck
from dam or follow their dam. Maternal behaviour score of the ewes was not affected by BCS or treatment. The percentage of
lambs that bleated was similar for lambs from all BCS groups and treatments. BCS and nutrition of ewes in late pregnancy and
during the neonatal period had little influence on the behaviour of ewes and lambs.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gronqvist GV and Hickson RE and Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Growth rate and carcass characteristics of Simmental- and Angus-sired steers born to Angus and Angus-cross-dairy cows},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {15-19},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { Traditionally, British breeds have been the main source of beef produced in New Zealand. Recently the use of dairy breeds has
increased. This experiment evaluates the growth rate and carcass characteristics of steers (n=64) born to straightbred Angus
(AA), Angus-cross-Holstein Friesian (AF), Angus-cross-Jersey (AJ) or Angus-cross-Kiwicross (AK) dams, and sired by Angus
(A) or Simmental (S) bulls. This created eight crossbred treatments: A-AA (n=10), A-AF (n=9), A-AJ (n=10), A-AK (n=5),
S-AA (n=11), S-AF (n=3), S-AJ (n=11) and S-AK (n=5). Live weight between 329 days of age and slaughter, and ultrasoundderived
and slaughter-day carcass characteristics were measured. At 400 and 600 days of age, respectively, Simmental-sired steers
were 22 kg and 37 kg heavier than Angus-sired steers (P<0.05). All steers had a similar intramuscular fat percentage (P>0.05).
Simmental-sired steers had greater eye-muscle area than Angus-sired steers (P<0.05). Simmental-sired steers had heavier and
longer carcasses, and greater dressing-out percentages than Angus-sired steers (P<0.05). Simmental sires produced fast-growing
progeny with heavier carcasses than Angus sires for all dam lines. Angus-cross-dairy cows produced steer progeny with similar
carcass characteristics to those from Angus cows bred with beef bulls.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Collier KJD and Hickson RE and Schreurs NM and Martin NP and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The influence of hogget liveweight change during their first lactation on pregnancy rates at the subsequent breeding period},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {247-250},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { Breeding ewe lambs can have a negative effect on subsequent two-tooth breeding weights which may impact on subsequent
reproductive rates. The impact of ewe lamb breeding can be alleviated by providing ewes with forages with high nutritive value
such as lucerne or a herb mix such as chicory, plantain, red clover and white clover. In a study conducted over two breeding
seasons ewe lambs were offered a ryegrass and white clover pasture, a herb mix or lucerne from one week prior to the expected
start of lambing until weaning. The impact liveweight change during lactation, and from weaning until breeding as a two-tooth, on
pregnancy and fecundity rates was examined},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Stayability of beef-cross-dairy breeding cows to six years of age},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {159-163},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { The use of dairy-beef crosses is widespread throughout the New Zealand beef industry. Cattle originating from dairy herds make
up 50 {\textendash} 55\% of New Zealand beef exports by weight (Morris \& Kenyon 2014). However, there is little information available
regarding the use of beef-cross-dairy cows as breeding cows in terms of reproductive success and stayability in the herd. A study
was conducted to investigate the pattern of cow culling and stayability from eight months of age until marking of the fifth calf of
straight-bred Angus and Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross cows. The results showed that the
stayability of these breeding cows was low, however, there were no differences in the stayability of straight-bred Angus or beefcross-
dairy cows.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hickson RE and Corner-Thomas RA and Martin NP and Kenyon PR and Lopez-Villalobos N and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {Alternative forages for livestock production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {85},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {In the New Zealand sheep, dairy and beef cattle industries, pastures are predominantly perennial ryegrass-white clover with some brassica and maize crops grown. There has, however, been increased interest in pure swards of alternative legumes such as lucerne and red clover, or forage herbs such as plantain and chicory.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {Alternative method to measure herbage dry matter (DM) mass in plantain and chicory mixed swards grazed by lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {115-120},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Calibration equations are available to determine the dry matter (DM) mass of pasture using either sward height or plate meter readings. Currently there are no methods available for determining DM in a herb-clover mix other than using quadrat cuts. The objective of this research was to determine the relationships between herbage DM mass as measured by quadrat cuts vs sward height and plate meter readings for herb-clover mixes during four seasons from early spring to autumn. Pre- and post-grazing herbage DM masses (kg/ha) in the plantain mix (plantain (Plantago lanceolata), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (T. pratense)) and in the chicory mix (plantain, chicory (Cichorium intybus), white clover and red clover) were estimated by collecting quadrat cuts. For each quadrat cut, a plate meter reading and five sward height measurements were also recorded. Separate regression equations were then developed for quadrat herbage DM mass vs sward height and plate meter readings. In addition, data from the plantain and Chicory mixes were pooled to obtain a data set for a combined herb-clover mix. The individual R 2 values were significant for all three relationships and ranged from 0.49 to 0.86. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) for all three relationships fell between 0.56 and 0.94. The relative prediction error (RPE) for all three relationships varied between 18 and 29\%. The regression equations developed by these non destructive methods, would enable farmers to obtain a reliable estimate of the herbage DM mass, with a level of precision sufficient for making day-to-day grazing management decisions on farm. The data do suggest different regression equations need to be utilised for different seasons of the year.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Somasiri SC and Kenyon PR and Morel PCH and Kemp PD and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Assessing the meat quality of venison short-loin from farmed red deer using visible-near infrared spectroscopy},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {17-22},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Venison from red deer (Cervus elaphus) is marketed as a premium quality, healthy red meat. Ideally, meat-quality attributes need to be measured prior to sale. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has potential for the measurement of sensory, nutritional and technological parameters in beef, but its use on venison has not yet been considered. The aim was to evaluate NIRS for predicting Warner-Bratzler shear-force parameters, meat colour, ultimate pH, sarcomere length and water holding capacity of venison short-loins. Samples were halved, vacuum packaged, aged for either 3 or 42 d at 1{\textpm}1{\textdegree}C and frozen, then defrosted for meat-quality assessment and acquisition of spectral data. In total, 154 samples (3 and 42 d aged) were divided into calibration (75\%) and validation datasets (25\%). Using partial-least squares regression, calibration equations were tested on the validation dataset. Prediction accuracies ranged from R2 =8.3\%, (SEpred =2.42) for meat lightness to R2 =66.6\%, (SEpred =0.10) for ultimate pH, suggesting that NIRS maybe useful for predicting some venison quality parameters.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craigie CR and Purchas RW and Maltin CA and Roehe R and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Does feeding level of ewe lambs affect their response to vasectomised rams?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {76-78},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Exposure of ewe lambs (also known as hoggets or yearlings) to vasectomised rams (teasing) has increased breeding activity early in the breeding period in some but not all studies (Hudgens et al. 1987; Kemp et al. 1991; Ungerfled 2007; Cave et al. 2012; Kenyon et al. 2012, 2014). Additional effects reported include increased overall pregnancy rates and number of foetuses per ewe lamb (Kenyon et al. 2014). It would be of benefit if the cause of the variation among studies in the ewe lamb response to teasing could be identified.

In mature ewes, nutrition has been reported to influence the teasing response when it is used to advance the breeding season (Scaramuzzi \& Martin, 2008). Therefore, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that ewe lambs offered an unrestricted level of pastoral nutrition would have an enhanced response to teasing.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Vi{\~n}oles C and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Ewe ultra-sound pregnancy diagnosis and its use by New Zealand farmers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {65-67},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Ultra-sound pregnancy diagnosis can be a valuable management tool for sheep farmers. The benefits include early identification of non-pregnant (dry) ewes which can be culled, freeing up valuable feed for pregnant ewes (Blair 1986) and the identification of single, twin and triplet fetuses, allowing ewes to be fed based on their specific nutritional requirements during pregnancy (Garrick 1998). In addition, selection of lambing paddocks can be made based on the number of fetuses identified (Garrick 1998).},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Ridler AL and Hickson RE and Greer AW and Logan CM and Blair HT}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Quality of meat from steers born to beef-cross-dairy cows and sired by Hereford bulls},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {229-232},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {The dairy industry is playing an increasing role in beef production in New Zealand. It is estimated that 65\% of the beef produced in New Zealand originates from dairy herds in the form of Friesian bull beef, first-cross dairy-beef cattle, or cull cows (Morris 2008). The dairy herd has a role in the generation of beef-cross-dairy breed heifers that are used as beef breeding cows. Dairy cattle genetics are not orientated towards meat production and this raises the question as to the suitability of beef-cross-dairy breed cows for producing progeny that are slaughtered for meat production. The quality of meat from the progeny of first-cross dairy-beef cows is largely unknown.
The main dairy breed used in New Zealand is the Holstein-Friesian and the Jersey breed is also very predominant. To take advantage of hybrid vigour, the Friesian-Jersey cross is commonplace in the New Zealand dairy herd. The Friesian-Jersey cross is now considered as a breed in itself and called the {\textquotedblleft}Kiwi-cross{\textquotedblright} or {\textquotedblleft}Kiwi{\textquotedblright} breed (Garrick \& Lopez-Villalobos, 1998). Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the quality of meat from steers which had an Angus (AA), Angus-cross-Friesian (AF), Angus-cross-Kiwi (AK) or Angus-cross-Jersey (AJ) dam. The steers were sired by Hereford bulls and so, the straight-bred Angus dams (AA) provided steers with beef-only genetics for comparison....},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Schreurs NM and Hickson RE and Coleman LW and Kenyon PR and Martin NP and Morris ST}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Utilising a plantain, red clover and white clover mix - A farmer{\textquoteright}s perspective},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {73-75},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Cheltenham Downs is located in the Manawatu district of the North Island of New Zealand. The farm was purchased by Landcorp in early 2011. It has a total area of 1427 ha, of which 1237 ha are effective. The farm is primarily utilised as a lamb-finishing enterprise. The property is located in a relatively summer safe area, with a mix of soil types (Rangitikei Sandy Loam and Milton, Te Arakure, Halcombe, Kiwitea, Ohakea, Milson and Manawatu Silt Loams) and has a flat to easy contour. The average rainfall is 1150mm per annum, evenly spread throughout the year. The majority of the farm is in ryegrass-white clover-based pastures. Each year, on average, 100 ha of Hunter brassica and 40 ha of kale are planted. Currently, the farm has 144 ha of the plantain, red clover and white clover mix.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Brown IC and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {The Farmer Learning Project: Improving the design of agricultural extension to promote learning},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {166-172},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {New Zealand has played a key role in developing innovative extension models designed to support farmers to adopt new, evidence-based, farming practices. However, this momentum has been lost over recent years. A fresh and innovative model of extension is needed to ensure that New Zealand farmers learn about highly-effective technologies. The Farmer Learning Project, now in its third year, is a multi-disciplinary research venture that aims to find out how to promote farmers{\textquoteright} learning and adoption of evidence-based practices. This paper provides an overview of the Farmer Learning Project at Massey University and its innovations designed to promote learning about herb-mix pastures containing chicory, plantain and red and white clover. Five critical success factors shown to support the farmers{\textquoteright} learning are discussed. These include the importance of participation in a sustained and inquiry-focused farmer-scientist learning community, and their engagement in a variety of repeated and relevant learning experiences that are aligned to science. Underpinning these success factors are seven educational principles that need to inform design innovations in agricultural extension. Early findings are also shared from the second phase of the project, which investigates the farmers{\textquoteright} practice change as a result of their learning about herb pastures and its ability to create high performance sheep grazing systems.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sewell AM and Blair HT and Grey DI and Hartnett M and Kemp PD and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Wood BA}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {Farmer learning, successful technology transfer and agricultural extension},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {164-165},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Agriculture has played and will continue to play an important role in the New Zealand economy. New Zealand earns $30 billion a year from its primary industries, which make up over 70\% of New Zealand{\textquoteright}s merchandise export earnings (Ministry for Primary Industries 2013). The primary sector as a whole had a 3.3\% annual compound growth rate during the period 1984 to 2007, while forestry was at 1.6\% and the wider economy at just 1.0\% (Morris 2013). Further, productivity of the primary industries has increased 2.5 times from 1978 to 2009, almost twice as much as the wider domestic economy (Ministry for Primary Industries 2013)...},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Corner-Thomas RA}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {From Extension to Distributed Learning: The Embedding of Agricultural Scientists in Farmer Knowledge Networks},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {173-178},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {This paper reports on the social structures of an ongoing learning group in which 17 farmers and five agricultural scientists are collaboratively undertaking a three-year farmlet experiment that investigates the performance of {\textquoteleft}herb mix{\textquoteright} pastures. Network analyses have been undertaken of the history of prior contact between the group{\textquoteright}s 22 members and of the 223 contacts made by the participating farmers to develop their herb pasture knowledge. The results show that networking by farmer members radically increases the ability of science to reach other farmers. These farmer networks have distributed structures characterised by dense, decentralised and equitable ties between the participants. The power to authorise agricultural knowledge is pluralised by numerous self-reinforcing relationships grounded in everyday farming practices. The paper concludes by discussing the relevance of such distributed learning for current attempts to replace linear extension with a more productive approach to agricultural knowledge.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Wood BA and Blair HT and Grey DI and Hartnett M and Kemp PD and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Sewell AM}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {Summer lamb production and grazing management of pure swards of plantain (Plantago lanceolata)},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {94-101},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Plantain is a productive and persistent pasture species known for its capacity to feed livestock over summer, but there has been limited research published on grazing management and lamb production from Tonic plantain in summer without irrigation. Farmlet scale (individual plots ranged from 0.44 {\textendash} 0.75 ha over the three years), randomised and replicated experiments, with grazing lambs on pure swards of Tonic plantain were undertaken over three summers. The treatments were sward height at pre- and post-grazing and stocking rate. Study one was in a wet summer and the plantain was not water-stressed, whereas in study two, it was mainly dry and the plantain was regularly under stress, and in study three, the summer rainfall was erratic, resulting in a period of water stress at the beginning of the experiment. The average daily weight gains (ADG) of the lambs ranged from 81 to 219 g/day across the three studies. The highest ADGs were when soil moisture was not limiting plantain growth and post-grazing sward height was greater than 5 cm (approximately 1500 kg DM/ha). The crude protein concentration of plantain was low (156 -175 g/kg DM) when plants were water stressed and high (236 g/kg DM) when rainfall was adequate. It was concluded ADG of lambs grazing Tonic plantain in summer was greatest when pre- and post-grazing sward heights were 8 and 5 cm, respectively (2000 and 1500 kg DM/ha herbage mass) and the plantain was not water stressed. It is recommended that Tonic plantain be sown with pasture legumes to increase its feeding value and crude protein concentration.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kemp PD and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Johnston T and Appleton H and Best HK}
}
@conference {89224,
	title = {A comparison of aspects of the reproductive success of ewe lambs and mixed age ewes joined over the same period},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {76-78},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p>Ewe lamb breeding at 7 to 8 months of age in extensive production systems, such as utilised in New Zealand, has a number of advantages including higher net profit from lamb production, improved utilisation of spring herbage, improved ewe lifetime performance and improved reproductive rate throughout the flock (Kenyon et al. 2012). However, in comparison to mature ewes there are limitations to ewe lamb breeding which include a lower lambing percentage, lower lamb birth weight\&nbsp; and lower lamb survival (Annett \&amp; Carson 2006; Kenyon 2012).</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner RA and Blair HT and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {89221,
	title = {Effect of different herbage mixes on lamb meat quality},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {65-67},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p>In New Zealand there is increasing use of alternative forage species for finishing lambs. The alternative forages have a higher feeding value as a consequence of the dry matter yield and chemical composition providing for greater intakes and a higher nutritive value (Kemp et al. 2010). Each forage species is unique in its nutrient composition and may provide an advantage for animal production at different times of the year (de Ruiter et al. 2007). To take advantage of the unique attributes of individual forage species, herbage mixes have been proposed to further boost lamb growth.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Schreurs NM and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Blair HT and Somasiri SC and Kemp PD}
}
@conference {89258,
	title = {Efficiency of beef breeding cows that vary in live weight and milking potential},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {11-16},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p>Size and milking potential of beef breeding cows affect their productivity and efficiency. This experiment compared the productivity and efficiency of straightbred Angus (AA) (high live weight, low-milk potential), Angus-cross-Holstein Friesian (AF) (high live weight, high-milk potential), Angus-crossKiwicross (AK) (moderate live weight, high-milk potential) and Angus-cross-Jersey (AJ) cows (low live weight, high-milk potential). High-milk lines produced heavier calves at weaning than the low-milkproducing AA. AF and AK cows weaned the heaviest calves at 225 {\textpm} 3 kg and 224 {\textpm} 4 kg respectively. These calves were heavier than those weaned by AJcows (212 {\textpm} 3 kg). All of these three genotypes weaned heavier calves than AA cows (197 {\textpm} 3 kg). In turn, all three high-milk lines had greater weaning efficiency ((weaning weight of calf/weight of cow at calf weaning) x100) than AA cows which had an efficiency of 36.7 {\textpm} 0.7\%. AJ and AK cows were the most efficient at 46.7 {\textpm} 0.7\% and 46.0 {\textpm} 1.0\%, respectively. AJ cows were also more efficient than the AF cows (44.0 {\textpm} 0.8\%). Increased milking potential and decreased live weight of breeding cows increased their efficiency of production.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Law NL and Hickson RE and Lopez-Villalobos N and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {89240,
	title = {Ewe live weight and body condition in mid-to- late-pregnancy does not affect the maximum heat production capacity of its lamb at birth},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {143-145},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p>Under pastoral conditions, lambs are often exposed to wind, cold and rain that result in neonatal mortality. Thus any improved thermoregulatory response has the potential to increase lamb survival. Especially in light lambs, there is a strong negative relationship between birth weight and mortality (Everett-Hincks \&amp; Dodds 2008). Birth weight also regulates the lamb{\textquoteright}s thermoregulatory capability (Kerslake et al. 2010). Lamb birth weight is influenced by ewe live weight, ewe bodycondition score and the variation in these parameters (Everett-Hincks \&amp; Dodds 2008; Schreurs et al. 2012). Therefore, ewe live weight and ewe body condition score may influence the thermoregulatory capability of the newborn lamb and its survival to weaning.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Martin NP and Kenyon PR and Hickson RE and Kerslake JI and Morris ST}
}
@conference {89256,
	title = {The New Zealand beef cattle industry},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {1-4},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p class="rtejustify">A quick cursory glance of the past 71 Presidential Addresses reveals they usually take one of three forms. Some have given an overview of the agricultural or animal science research scene with particular reference to funding and in particular the shortfall of funds, others have reviewed the Society{\textquoteright}s activities usually through analysis of membership and papers presented at Annual Conferences and suggested future directions for the Society, while others have made a personal statement about an industry or research area. I have chosen the latter and want to speak today about beef production in New Zealand. Beef production gets little recognition in the mainstream press or by many of our farmer politicians. In fact I would suggest many of our Society members would know little about beef production on our farms.</p>
<p class="rtejustify">\&nbsp;</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST}
}
@conference {75922,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Effect of gender and prior exposure on the intake and preference of sheep for plantain post-weaning},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {71},
	year = {2011},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {278-280},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Invercargill},
	abstract = {Animals are exposed to a sensory learning environment both pre- and post-birth birth (Nicolaidis, 2008). Numerous experiments with rats (Smotherman, 1982), chickens (Porter \& Picard, 1998; Sneddon et al., 1998) and sheep (Nolte et al., 1992; Schaal et al., 1995; Simitzis et al., 2008) have demonstrated prenatal... Continued},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pain SJ and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Kemp PD}
}
@conference {75871,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The influence of a herb and legume sward on maternal behaviour and lamb colostrum intake and thermoregulation},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {71},
	year = {2011},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {50-52},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Invercargill},
	abstract = {Nutrition of the ewe in late pregnancy is known to affect colostrum production, lamb live weight, survival to weaning (Kenyon \& Webby, 2007; Kerslake et al., 2009), and maternal behaviour (O{\textquoteright}Connor et al., 1985). Kenyon et al. (2010) reported that offering a mixed herb sward containing... Continued},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hutton PG and Kenyon PR and Bedi MK and Kemp PD and Stafford KJ and West DM and Morris ST}
}
@conference {75924,
	title = {Physical and physiological factors associated with twin- and triplet-born lamb heat production at 24 to 36 hours of age},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {71},
	year = {2011},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {286-290},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Invercargill},
	abstract = {This study attempted to identify physical and physiological factors of twin- and triplet born lambs within the first 24 to 36 hours of life which are associated with maximum heat production on a per lamb basis (W/lamb) and a per kg of birth weight basis (W/kg). Multiple regression analyses revealed that lamb birth weight accounted for 34 percent of the variation in maximum heat production on a per lamb basis (P <0.001), whereas, inclusion of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; P <0.01), tri-iodothyronine (T3; P <0.05) and glucose concentrations at 24 to 36 hours of age (P <0.05) increased the accountability to 59 percent. Multiple regression analyses also revealed that plasma NEFA concentrations at 24 to 36 hours of age accounted for 15 percent of the variation in maximum heat production on a per kg of birth weight basis (P <0.01), whereas, inclusion of plasma T3 at 24 to 36 hours of age increased the accountability to 22 percent (P <0.05). Overall these results suggest that having greater lamb birth weights, plasma thyroid hormone, glucose and NEFA concentrations at 24 to 36 hours of age is beneficial for twin- and triplet-born lamb thermoregulation during periods of cold stress.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kerslake JI and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Stafford KJ and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {75878,
	title = {Is there any advantage of early weaning of twin lambs born to yearlings?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {71},
	year = {2011},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {79-82},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Invercargill},
	abstract = {The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of weaning twin lambs born to yearlings at 9, 11 or 13 weeks of age on the live weight of the yearling and her lambs. The yearlings and the lambs were allocated to one of three weaning treatment groups (9-week versus 11-week versus 13-week) on Day 1. Each treatment group was balanced for yearling and lamb live weight. At Week 13, all lambs were removed from the remainder of the experiment but the yearlings were monitored for a further six weeks. The yearlings and lambs were offered ad-libitum levels of herbage throughout the experimental period and the pre- and post-grazing mass was monitored weekly. The yearlings and lambs were weighed on Days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 while yearlings were weighed again on Days 35, 42 and 70. Pre- and post-grazing mass was monitored weekly. Yearling live weight did not differ (P >0.05) between treatment groups on Days 1, 35 or 70. Lamb live weight did not differ (P >0.05) on Days 1, 14 or 28. These results indicate that there is no advantage of early weaning of twin lambs born to yearlings on the live weight of the yearling or her lambs.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Mulvaney FJ and Morris ST and Kenyon PR and Morel PCH and West DM}
}
@conference {69498,
	title = {Do lambs within twin- and triplet-born litter produce different amount of heat during a cold stress event?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {171-174},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Triplet-born lambs have been shown to have lighter birth weights (Morris \& Kenyon, 2004; Kerslake et al., 2005; Everett-Hincks \& Dodds, 2008), lower rectal temperatures (Dwyer \& Morgan, 2006; Stafford et al., 2007), lower plasma fructose (Stafford et al., 2007) and greater plasma lactate concentrations within five minutes of birth (Stafford et al., 2007; J.I. Kerslake, Unpublished data) than twin-born lambs. In addition to this, within a tripletborn litter, the lightest lambs have been shown to have lower rectal temperatures and greater plasma lactate concentrations within five minutes of birth (Stafford et al., 2007; J.I. Kerslake, Unpublished data) than the heaviest lambs. Light birth weights, low rectal temperatures and greater plasma lactate concentrations within five minutes of birth have been used as indices for placental insufficiency, acute intra-partum hypoxemia and inadequate thermogenesis after birth (Barlow et al., 1987; Mellor, 1988).},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kerslake JL and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and Morris ST and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {69481,
	title = {Effect of birth weight on survival of lambs born to ewe lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {101-103},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Benefits of ewe lamb mating (at 8 to 9 months of age) include improved lifetime production, increased rates of genetic gain and higher net profits (Kenyon et al., 2008 and references therein). These benefits of ewe lamb mating are only achieved if the ewe lamb successfully rears its offspring to weaning. For mature ewes, a reduction of mortality before weaning by 1\% is equivalent to an extra $10 gross margin per hectare (Morel \& Kenyon 2006). To maximise farm profits it is necessary to understand the factors that influence pre-weaning mortality of lambs born to ewe lambs so that appropriate management strategies can be implemented.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Schreurs NM and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {69479,
	title = {Effect of nutrition around the time of breeding and during pregnancy on yearling liveweight change, pregnancy loss and liveweight and survival of of their offspring},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {91-95},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {This experiment investigated the effects of differing nutritional levels on yearling pregnancy loss, and the live weight and survival of their offspring to weaning. Yearlings were offered either Medium or Ad-libitum levels of herbage from four days prior to breeding (P-4) until P145. Nutrition during pregnancy had no effect on pregnancy loss or lamb live weight from Day 0 of lactation (L0) until L55. Lambing percent was higher (P <0.05) in the Ad-libitum treatment compared to the Medium treatment. Single born lambs were heavier (P <0.05) than twin born lambs at L0 and at L55. Ad-libitum treatment yearlings were heavier (P <0.05) than Medium treatment yearlings at L55. Modelling of the live weight trends indicated that from P-4 until P145 the pregnant yearlings in the Medium and Ad-libitum treatment groups consumed 8.1 and 14.4 kg DM/kg of lamb live weight at L55. This indicates that the greater yearling live weight gain in the Ad-libitum group utilised more herbage during the yearling{\textquoteright}s first winter without any increase in the performance of their offspring. The extra 9 kg gained by the yearlings fed Ad-libitum may have positive effects on future performance as they will gain a suitable live weight for breeding as a two year old earlier.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Mulvaney FJ and Morris ST and Kenyon PR and West DM and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {69525,
	title = {Preference of lambs for novel pasture herbs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {285-287},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {There is strong evidence that sheep show a preference for some plant species over others (Parsons et al.,1994; Concha \& Nicol, 2000; Foster et al., 2002; Rutter, 2006; Corkran, 2009). Differences among ruminant species in forage selectivity, offers a unique opportunity to manipulate utilization of pastures. Recently, increased milk yields and higher weaning weights of lambs have been shown to occur, when grazing a mixed herb sward containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), red and white clover (Trifolium pratenseand T. repens) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata) (Golding, 2008).},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pain SJ and Hutton PG and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Kemp PD}
}
@conference {69503,
	title = {Preliminary investigation of milk production in Angus heifers exposed to different nutrition in utero},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {194-198},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Milk yield (MY) and composition were measured on one day in Weeks 7, 9 and 11 in 17 offspring of Angus cows fed for high (1.2 kg/d; HB) or medium (0.5 kg/d; MB) liveweight gain (LWG) for 10 days before insemination and medium (0.5 kg/d; MA) or low (0.01 kg/d; LA) LWG during gestation. Mean MYs in the progeny were; Week 7: 5790 {\textpm} 420 g/d, Week 9: 7418 {\textpm} 447 g/d, Week 11: 6244 {\textpm} 392 g/d. Better feeding before mating had little effect on MY or milk crude protein (CP\%) in the progeny but tended to reduce the milkfat\% (Week 9; HB (n = 8) 3.50 {\textpm} 0.17\% versus MB (n = 8) 3.74 {\textpm} 0.22\%) (P <0.19), casein (Week 11; HB 2.59 {\textpm} 0.03\% versus MB 2.68 {\textpm} 0.04\%) (P = 0.11) and lactose (Week 11; HB 5.18 {\textpm} 0.13\% versus MB 5.42 {\textpm} 0.05\%) (P = 0.075). Better feeding of the dam after artificial insemination did not significantly increase MY of the progeny (Week 9; MA (n = 9) 7972 {\textpm} 378 g/d versus LA (n = 8) 6794 {\textpm} 826 g/d) (P = 0.23), or milkfat\%, decreased CP (Week 9; MA 3.22 {\textpm} 0.07\% versus LA 3.41 {\textpm} 0.08\%) (P <0.09) and casein\% (at Weeks 7 and 9 identical values of MA 2.52 {\textpm} 0.06\% versus LA 2.69 {\textpm} 0.07\%), but increased lactose\% after the peak of lactation (Week 11 MA 5.42 {\textpm} 0.06\% versus LA 5.15 {\textpm} 0.14\%) (P <0.08). Feeding before and after conception may affect the nutrition of the grand generation},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Peterson SW and Jenkinson CMC and Hickson RE and Morris ST and Blair HT and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {69475,
	title = {Use of novel pasture species to reduce methane emissions from New Zealand grazing ruminants},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {77-79},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {In New Zealand, methane (CH4) accounts for approximately 38\% of greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of this methane, approximately 98\%, is from ruminants (Waghorn \& Woodward, 2006). New Zealand{\textquoteright}s ruminant production industry relies heavily on a pasture-based system and depends on efficient utilisation of pasture. Variation between plant species in their nutritional and chemical composition provides an opportunity to manipulate rumen fermentation patterns and increase the utilization of pastures, while potentially reducing ruminant livestock CH4emissions. Preliminary findings are reported from a pilot study which investigated the effects of nutritional composition of a range of forage species on the short-term in vitro production of CH4.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Roca FJ and Hutton PG and Pain SJ and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {60955,
	title = {The effect of fasting on live weight in hogget wethers and pregnant mature ewes : Brief Communication},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2009},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {112-114},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Withholding of food and water, or fasting, of sheep for up to 24 hours is a practice commonly employed in the agricultural industry and research sectors. Farmers routinely fast sheep before shearing, pregnancy scanning and transport. Further, with relatively large numbers of animals involved in some experiments, duration of weighing and manipulation time can vary, which may interfere with a comparison of live weight measurements. The determination of the rate of liveweight loss will allow live weights to be corrected to... Continued },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Burnham DL and Morel PCH and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Stafford KJ}
}
@conference {60945,
	title = {The effect of weaning at 10 or 14 weeks of age on liveweight changes in the hogget and her lambs : Brief Communication},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2009},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {68-70},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Kenyon et al. (2004) revealed via a survey, that a major reason why New Zealand farmers do not breed ewe hoggets (7-9 months old) is perceived detrimental effects on two-tooth breeding live weight, resulting in reduced two-tooth reproductive performance. Kenyon et al. (2008) confirmed this by showing hoggets that lambed had reduced two-tooth live weight and condition score at breeding. A potential means of minimising any potential negative effects on... Continued},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Mulvaney FJ and Morris ST and Kenyon PR and West DM and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {60947,
	title = {Effects of birth weight on survival in twin born lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2009},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {75-79},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Lamb survival to weaning decreases as litter size increases (single > twin > triplet > quads), with birth weight being a major factor affecting survival. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of birth weight (BWT) and related traits on survival in twin born lambs. Data from a total of 3,834 twin lambs born to mixed aged ewes were analysed. For statistical analysis the lambs were allocated according to birth weight (BWT) within litter to three groups (Light = Lightest lambs within pairs, Equal = Lambs of similar weight within pairs and Heavy = Heaviest lambs within pairs). The survival rates differed (P <0.05) between Light, Equal and Heavy (80\%, 89\% and 83\%, respectively). BWT was positively related (P <0.001) to survival in the Light group, but not in the other two groups. The smaller the difference in BWT between siblings, the higher the likelihood of the Light lambs surviving. Therefore, reducing the difference in BWT within a set of twins will have the potential to increase overall lamb survival. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morel PCH and Morris ST and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {42045,
	title = {Liveweight and body condition of single- and twin-bearing Merino ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {67-68},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {<p class="rtejustify"><span itemprop="text">While dairy cows are generally milked twice-a-day (TAD) in New Zealand, more farmers are adopting a once-a-day (OAD) milking routine to improve their lifestyle, reduce farm costs and improve animal welfare. Clark <i>et al.</i> (2006) reported that the yield of milksolids (MS) from Jersey cows was less affected (-19.9\%/cow) by OAD milking than the MS yield from Holstein-Friesian cows (-29.4\%/cow). Jersey cows milked OAD in Taranaki between 2000 and 2004 averaged 222 kg MS/cow and 979 kg MS/ha (Clark <i>et al.</i>, 2006). In the 2006/07 season ...Continued </span></p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {van Reenen EH and Kenyon PR and Sherlock RG and Hickson RE and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41694,
	title = {A comparison of carcass characteristics and meat quality for Angus, Hereford x Friesian, and Jersey x Friesian steers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {18-22},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {The aims of the two trials described here were to compare carcass characteristics and meat quality of Jersey-Friesian cross steers (Je x Fr) with Hereford-Friesian cross steers (He x Fr) and purebred Angus steers. Trial 1, which compared rising 3-year-old He x Fr with Je x Fr steers (20/grp), showed that the Je x Fr group had lighter carcass weights (93\%; P<0.001), yellower fat, slightly lower weight-adjusted dressing-out percentages (P<0.01), heavier weight-adjusted livers (P<0.01), and longer carcasses at the same weight (P<0.001). In Trial 2, 27-month Je x Fr steers (n=15) were compared with He x Fr (n=15) and Angus steers (n=14). Differences similar to those for Trial 1 were shown, and in addition the Je x Fr steers had lower fat depths and a lower yield of several cuts from the round.For both trials the Je x Fr group had a more mature pattern of incisor teeth eruption. For Trial 2 the quality of meat from the longissimus muscle did not differ between groups for ultimate pH, intramuscular fat level, colour, Warner-Bratzler shear force, or waterholding capacity. Sensory analysis by a trained panel revealed no differences in tenderness, flavour, or juiciness, in contrast to some other reports where beef from Jersey or Jersey-cross cattle has been favoured. These results indicate that the Je x Fr steers in these trials offered no advantages relative to He x Fr or Angus cattle, but they did show some minor disadvantages. These results, however, need to be considered alongside other reports indicating that Jersey or Jersey-cross steers will sometimes yield beef with advantages in levels of marbling fat and palatability.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Purchas RW and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41711,
	title = {The effect of maternal liveweight gain of 15-month-old beef heifers on foetal weight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {117-120},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Dystocia in 2-year-old beef heifers is a major factor limiting the willingness of farmers to breed 15-month-old heifers in New Zealand. Foetal oversize relative to the size of the heifer is a contributor to dystocia. This study aimed to determine the effect on foetal weight of maternal liveweight change during joining and early pregnancy. Sixteen 15-month-old Angus heifers were allocated to moderate (444 {\textpm} 30 g/day) or low (109 {\textpm} 28 g/day) liveweight-gain treatments for 21 days prior to and 91 days after insemination. Gravid uteri were recovered on day 91 of pregnancy. Foetuses from the low-fed heifers tended to be heavier than foetuses from the moderate-fed heifers (215.6 {\textpm} 6.7 g and 198.4 {\textpm} 6.8 g, respectively; P=0.09). Foetal weight per 100 kg maternal weight was greater (P<0.01) in foetuses from the low treatment (58.9 {\textpm} 2.5 g/100 kg) than in foetuses from the moderate treatment (47.4 {\textpm} 2.6 g/100 kg). Weight of foetal membranes was greater (P<0.05) in the low treatment (262 {\textpm} 16 g) than the moderate treatment (213 {\textpm} 16 g). Foetal weight was correlated with cotyledon weight (r=0.59; P<0.05). Moderate compared with low maternal liveweight gain reduced foetal weight relative to maternal live weight.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hickson RE and Lopez-Villalobos N and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41964,
	title = {Summer lamb finishing on forage crops},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {121-125},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {The objective of this study was to compare lamb growth and performance on three forages over summer in a large scale, replicated experiment. The three forage treatments were new spring-sown pasture (cv.Bealey perennial ryegrass and cv.Apex white clover), hybrid leafy turnip (cv.Hunter), and a predominant white clover sward. The study was conducted over 28 days, with 28 days preceding the study as the herbage adjustment period. Entire male lambs (n=270) were allocated to one of the three treatments, balanced for live weight at day -28 (D-28). Live weights and liveweightgains were measured at D-28, -14, 0, 14 and 28. Herbage heights were measured pre- and post-grazing toensure lambs were receiving a herbage allowance of at least three times their potential intake. Herbage quality parameters were also measured post-grazing. Liveweight gains were different (P<0.05) between treatment groups, being 311{\textpm}10.2, 222{\textpm}10.1, and 160{\textpm}10.2 g/day for clover, Hunter, and new pasture, respectively. The results showed that Hunter and clover produced superior lamb growth compared to new pasture over summer for the 28 day trial period.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Lindsay CL and Kemp PD and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41942,
	title = {Do ewes with twin and triplet lambs produce different yields of milk and does the grazing behaviour of their lambs differ?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {444-449},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {This trial was designed to determine if ewes with triplets produce more milk than those with twins, and, if not, do triplet lambs compensate by extra grazing. Milk yield (MY) of ewes with twin (n=13) and triplet (n=8) lambs, grazing pasture in spring was measured four, seven and ten weeks postpartum. Ewes and lambs were separated in the morning and MY was measured by the oxytocin method. MY did not differ in ewes with triplets (2525 {\textpm} 243 g/d) from that in ewes with twins (2204 {\textpm} 149 g/d) at week four, week seven (1847 {\textpm} 238 versus 1684 {\textpm} 111 g/d), or at week ten (1448 {\textpm} 139 versus 1264 {\textpm} 85 g/d). NIRS analyses showed no significant consistent difference in fat (triplet: twin 7.7: 7.5 {\textpm} 0.4\%), protein (4.4: 4.3 {\textpm} 0.2\%), lactose (4.71: 4.72 {\textpm} 0.03\%) and total solids (17.48: 17.36 {\textpm} 0.35\%) composition of milk from ewes with triplet or twin lambs (data are means of all samples). Mammary gland dimension B, the distance across the gland next to the teats, was better correlated (R2 0.31, P<0.05) with MY than other dimensions tested. Behaviour observations (whether the lamb was grazing or suckling) were made weekly 3-9 weeks postpartum. The time spent grazing by triplets (39.4 {\textpm} 1.94 \% on lactation day 29) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than the time spent grazing by twins (37.7 {\textpm} 1.94\% on lactation day 29) on three observation days and, overall, triplet lambs spent more time grazing than twin lambs. Birth weight of twin lambs (4.39 {\textpm} 0.14 kg) was not significantly greater than that of triplets (4.00 {\textpm} 0.20 kg), but they grew significantly faster (P<0.05) from week four till week ten, gaining 17.0 kg compared to 14.9 kg for triplets. Triplets suffer a relative lack of available milk nutrients compared to twins and are not able to completely compensate for this by increasing grazing time. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Peterson SW and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41940,
	title = {The effect of maternal nutrition during gestation on the reproductive success of female progeny as 2-tooths},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {434-438},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {The inter-generational effect of birth rank and nutrition during pregnancy was assessed by examining the reproductive success of female progeny at their first mating at 2 years of age. Fifty-six ewes born as a twin or triplet and whose dam was maintained on 2 or 6 cm sward height from mid-pregnancy to parturition were synchronised and bred to Romney rams. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted using ultrasound on day 71 from the start of mating (P71). All ewes were maintained as one mob under commercial farming conditions throughout pregnancy. Within 12 hours of birth lambs were ear tagged, weighed and body dimensions (CRL, girth, forelimb and hind limb lengths) were recorded. Lamb live weights were also recorded at day 48 after the mid-point of lambing (L48). Fifty-one ewes lambed of the 56 ewes that were bred. Twin-born ewes had significantly longer gestation lengths (by 1.3 days) than triplet-born ewes. Singleton lambs born to triplet-born ewes were significantly (P<0.05) lighter (4.6 kg) at birth than singleton lambs born to twin-born ewes (5.1 kg). Singleton lambs whose grand-dams were maintained on 2cm pastures during pregnancy and whose dam was born as a twin had significantly (P<0.05) longer hind limbs than their counterparts whose grand dam was maintained on 6 cm and whose dam was born a triplet but they did not differ in birth weight. Dam birth rank and the nutritional treatment of their grand-dam had no significant effect on twin-lamb live weight and body dimensions at birth. These results suggest that selecting triplet ewe lambs for breeding could have detrimental effects on flock productivity. In addition a previous study involving the same animals reported triplet born ewes displayed poorer maternal behaviour. To the authors knowledge this is the first finding of this kind and could have implications for ewe selection on New Zealand farms. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and West DM and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41689,
	title = {The effect of nutrition during pregnancy on the behaviour of adolescent ewes and their lamb(s) within 12 hrs of birth},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {439-443},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Hogget mating has become more common in recent times as a management strategy to produce additional lambs. The productivity of hogget mating is limited by low lamb birth weights and poor lamb survival. A study has shown that maternal nutrition during pregnancy in hoggets had no effect on the birth weight or survival of lambs. This study investigated the effect of nutrition during pregnancy on the post-parturient behaviour of hogget ewes and their lambs. On day 13 after the mid-point of breeding hogget ewes were stratified by breed and live weight and randomly allocated to one of three feeding regimes: Low (gained 10kg of live weight by parturition), Medium (20kg) and High (30kg). Within 12 hours of birth lambs were ear tagged and the maternal behaviour of hogget ewes was recorded using a maternal behaviour score (MBS) a five point measure of a ewe{\textquoteright}s response to the handling of her lambs. Behavioural observations of the hogget and her lamb(s) were made for 5 minutes after the completion of tagging the lamb. Singleton-bearing hogget ewes fed on the high plane of nutrition had significantly (P<0.05) greater maternal behaviour scores than singleton-bearing hoggets fed on low or medium planes. In the low fed group, significantly (P<0.05) fewer hoggets bleated in response to their lamb (60\%) compared with medium (73\%) and high (85\%) fed hoggets. Of the lambs that bleated, those born to hoggets in the medium fed group bleated significantly (P<0.05) more than lambs born to hoggets in the low or high fed groups. Feeding hogget ewes on a high level of nutrition had a positive impact on hogget and lamb behaviour within 12 hours of birth. A high level of nutrition during pregnancy may result in behaviours that increase survival of lambs born to hogget ewes. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and West DM and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41691,
	title = {Milk production in Romney ewes lambing out of season},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {450-455},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Milk yield (MY) of groups of Romney ewes lambing at 3 times of the year: January (n=9), March (n=14) and June (n=13)) was measured on alternate days in the first week postpartum and at weekly intervals for nine weeks. Twin-bearing ewes produced significantly more milk than single-bearing ewes during the first week and during the whole of lactation (63 days) (P<0.05), except in the January-lambing group, in which ewes with single lambs produced more milk then those with twins during the first week. The shape of the lactation curve for ewes with singles or twins differed significantly (P<0.01) between lambing groups, reflecting that single- and twin-bearing ewes responded differently in January, but the number of twinbearing ewes was small (n=4) in that month. MY differed significantly (P<0.01) among groups lambing in January (single MY {\textpm} SEM: twins MY {\textpm} SEM) (1605 {\textpm} 57: 1402 {\textpm} 71 g/d), March (1425 {\textpm} 38; 1802 {\textpm} 46) and June (1520 {\textpm} 43: 1951 {\textpm} 54). Despite having the lowest (P<0.05) mean pre-lambing live weight (62 {\textpm} 3 kg), ewes lambing in June produced the highest overall mean MY (1735 {\textpm} 48 g/d), whilst ewes lambing in March and January had mean pre-weaning live weights of 70 {\textpm} 2 kg (in both groups) and produced 1613 {\textpm} 42 g/d and 1504 {\textpm} 64 g/d respectively. The June{\textendash}lambing ewes gained weight (1.38 {\textpm} 1.19 kg) and condition score (0.39 {\textpm} 0.16 /d) whilst weight loss was significant (P<0.05) in the March (-9.82 {\textpm} 1.15 kg) and January (-7.78 {\textpm} 1.44 kg) groups between pre-lambing and weaning, as was change in condition score (March: -0.49 {\textpm} 0.16; January: -0.63 {\textpm} 0.19). Lamb birth weights did not differ between seasons but ADG (g/d  {\textpm} SEM) was highest (P<0.01) in June (0.262 {\textpm} 0.008), followed by March (0.238 {\textpm} 0.008) and January (0.202 {\textpm} 0.009). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Peterson SW and Morel PCH and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41560,
	title = {Does ewe nutrition during pregnancy affect the metabolism of twin-born lambs?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {163-167},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {An insulin tolerance test was conducted on twin-born ewes born to dams offered sward heights of either 2 or 6 cm between day 64 and 132 of pregnancy in order to identify any alterations in the lamb{\textquoteright}s metabolism. Lambs were also categorised into groups according to birth weight (< 4.0 kg, light and > 4.0 kg, heavy). Changes in metabolism may have long term effects on growth and productivity. An insulin challenge (0.2 U/kg) was administered to ewe lambs at 8 months of age and their plasma insulin, glucose and cortisol responses were monitored. The plasma cortisol concentration of ewe lambs born to ewes offered 2cm sward height was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than ewe lambs born to ewes offered 6 cm sward height 50 minutes after the insulin challenge. No difference was found in the insulin or glucose response to the insulin challenge between dam sward height group (2 vs 6 cm). Birth weight had no effect on the insulin, glucose or cortisol response of the ewe lambs to the insulin challenge. These results show that both dam nutrition and lamb birth weight had little to no effect on the metabolic responses measured. These results suggest that lambs born to ewes offered a herbage sward height of only 2 cm or lambs with low birth weights may not show altered metabolism.
KEYWORDS: lamb; insulin tolerance test; twins; ewe nutrition; metabolism. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and West DM and Oliver MH and Morris ST and Blair HT}
}
@conference {41532,
	title = {Does the ewe nutrition during pregnancy affect the behaviour of ewe lambs at 1 and 2 years of age?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {29-32},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {The effects of the dam{\textquoteright}s nutrition during pregnancy on her lambs{\textquoteright} behaviour in the days after birth has been examined but the longer term effects on lamb behaviour and mothering ability are not known. The behaviour of twin and triplet ewes born to ewes offered herbage with an average sward height of 2 or 6 cm from day 64 to 132 of pregnancy was recorded at 1 year of age in an arena test and at 2 years of age post lambing. A significantly (P < 0.05) greater proportion of the progeny born to dams offered 6 cm sward heights bleated in a high pitch during a 5 minute arena test. However there were no differences in minimum, median and maximum distance of the ewe from the observer or on the frequency of low- and high-pitched bleats. In addition there was no difference in the behaviour of twin- and triplet-born ewes in the arena test. At 2 years of age twin-born ewes had a significantly greater maternal behaviour score than their triplet-born counterparts. Ewe nutrition during pregnancy did not affect the maternal behaviour score of their ewe lambs after lambing at 2 years of age. These results suggest that feeding levels during pregnancy are less important than the birth rank in terms of the intergenerational effects on behaviour.
KEYWORDS: ewe nutrition; lamb; behaviour; twin; triplet. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner RA and Kenyon PR and Stafford KJ and West DM and Morris ST and Blair HT}
}
@conference {41561,
	title = {The effect of sward height during pregnancy on the wool follicle and fibre characteristics of twin and triplet born lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {168-172},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Previous work estimating the impact of differential feeding of ewes during pregnancy, on lamb wool follicle development, has been done primarily with single- and twin-bearing ewes. The aim of this study was to compare the follicle development and fibre characteristics of twin- or triplet-born/reared lambs, born to ewes offered different sward height allowances during pregnancy and lactation. After pregnancy scanning, 186 twin- and triplet-bearing Romney ewes with 6 weeks wool growth, were randomly allocated to four different sward heights (2, 4, 6 and 8 cm). Within the first 24 hours of parturition ewes were transferred to one of two sward heights (4 and 8 cm). The wool and follicle characteristics of twin- (n = 65) and triplet-born (n = 63) ewe lambs were compared. Fleeces from triplet-born lambs were lighter (1.59 kg vs 1.82 kg, P < 0.05) and finer (32.7 μm vs 33.4 μm, P < 0.05) than those from their twin-born counterparts. Lambs born to ewes offered higher sward heights during pregnancy had increased loose wool bulk (P < 0.01). Although increasing sward height during pregnancy increased fibre diameter in twin-born lambs, there was no similar relationship for triplet-born lambs (P < 0.05). Sward height during pregnancy had no effect on secondary follicle number in twin-born lambs but, triplet-born lambs born to ewes grazed on the 4 cm sward tended to have significantly higher numbers of secondary follicles than those grazed on 6 cm (89.2 vs 66.0, P < 0.05). More work is necessary to determine whether this interaction has practical implications for breeding replacements. Nutritional treatments during lactation had no significant effects on lamb wool characteristics.
KEYWORDS: feeding; nutrition; follicle development; wool bulk; wool characteristics. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sherlock RG and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41562,
	title = {Milk production in East Friesian-cross ewes lambing year round},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {173-177},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Milk production of groups of East Friesian cross ewes lambing at intervals of 73 days (i.e., five times per year: August (n = 21), November (n = 29), January (n = 13), March (n = 14) and June (n = 14)) was measured on alternate days in the first week post partum and at weekly intervals for nine weeks. Ewes with single and twin lambs were enrolled if they safely delivered the appropriate number of lambs indicated by previous scanning. Ewes and lambs were separated in the morning and ewes milked by machine following i.v. oxytocin (1 i.u.) and stripped by hand until empty. Ewes returned to pasture whilst lambs were housed and bottle-fed. At afternoon milking (after a precisely measured interval of about 6 h) milk yields were recorded. From that yield and the time interval, daily milk yields were calculated. Data were analysed using a mixed linear model for repeated measures. Twin-bearing ewes produced significantly more milk than single-bearing ewes (P < 0.001). Lactogenesis differed significantly (P < 0.001) between the lambing groups. Over the whole lactation, milk yield differed significantly (P < 0.001) between different lambing groups. Milk yields were highest following June lambing (2223 {\textpm} 35 g/day), followed by November (2107 {\textpm} 24 g/d), August (1932 {\textpm} 36 g/day), January (1826 {\textpm} 31 g/day) and March (1742 {\textpm} 30 g/day). A significant lambing group by rearing rank interaction (P < 0.001) indicated that single- and twin-bearing ewes responded differently to seasonal differences; ewes with twins increased milk yield proportionately more than ewes with singles in June, November and January.
KEYWORDS: milk yields; sheep; STAR system. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Peterson SW and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Lopez-Villalobos N and Morel PCH}
}
@conference {41831,
	title = {Relationships between on-farm and pre-slaughter behaviour and growth and meat quality for bulls and steers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {261-265},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Angus and Hereford-Angus cross bulls (n = 58) and steers (n = 59) were assessed for temperament 3 times during post-weaning growth and for behaviour during pre-slaughter holding in order to investigate relationships between these traits and measures of growth and meat quality including meat tenderness and meat colour. Composite on-farm temperament scores encompassed measures during weighing of stepping and unease on the scale, and speed of movement and level of agitation when released from the scale. Pre-slaughter assessments included counts of butting, pushing, fighting and mounting. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, lactate and fatty acids at slaughter were measured. On-farm temperament scores were significantly correlated (P < 0.0001) between the 3 times and between measures within a time. On-farm measures, however, were not related to pre-slaughter scores or to plasma cortisol or metabolite levels. Plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher for steers than bulls (43.8 vs 22.4 ng/ml; P < 0.001) as reported previously, and bulls had significantly higher pre-slaughter behaviour scores, but there were no castration effects on levels of plasma metabolites or on-farm temperament scores. Relationships between behavioural traits and measures of growth rate and meat quality based on treatment-adjusted residuals were low and non-significant. It is concluded that despite on-farm temperament scores being moderately repeatable, these measures were not associated with differences in pre-slaughter behaviour, and neither of these traits was associated with growth rate or measures of meat quality.
KEYWORDS: animal behaviour; meat quality; meat pH; cortisol; growth rate; tenderness. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Burnham DL and Purchas RW and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41519,
	title = {Are elevated maternal thyroid hormone concentrations after-mid-pregnancy shearing responsible for changes in lamb fleece characteristics?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {272-276},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {This study was designed to test the hypothesis that elevated maternal thyroid hormone concentrations in mid- pregnancy are responsible for the observed differences in lamb follicle characteristics as a result of mid-pregnancy shearing. The study involved 51 twin-born lambs in a 2 x 2 factorial design involving dams that were either shorn or unshorn in mid pregnancy and had either normal or elevated thyroid hormone levels. All ewe groups were thyroidectomised except for unshorn-normal ewes which were sham-operated. The thyroxine implant and injection regimes used to manipulate maternal thyroid hormone levels in mid-pregnancy were successful in mimicking the levels previously reported in mid-pregnancy shorn ewes. Lambs born to shorn dams had significantly (P<0.05) higher coefficients of variation of mean fibre diameter. Dam shearing treatment had no effect on any other follicle or wool characteristic. Lambs born to ewes with elevated thyroid levels in mid-pregnancy had a significantly (P<0.05) higher numbers of secondary fibres, and tended to have more primary fibres (P=0.08) and whiter wool (P=0.06). The absence of any dam shearing-treatment effect on secondary and primary fibre numbers, fibre diameter and length, suggests that the changes observed in follicles and wool characteristics of lambs born to mid-pregnancy shorn dams are primarily due to elevations in maternal thyroid hormone levels in mid-pregnancy. More work is required to confirm this hypothesis. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Sherlock RG and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41500,
	title = {Economical analysis of year round lamb production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {179-182},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {The traditional lamb production system in New Zealand is driven largely by the seasonal pattern of pasture growth and ewes lambing once a year. An alternative is the implementation of year-round lamb production systems such as the STAR system, where ewes lamb five times over a three-year period, thus providing a continuous supply of lambs. A modelling exercise was undertaken to assess the economic viability of the STAR system. The model simulates pasture growth and flock energy requirement on a daily basis over a three year period for both the traditional system and the STAR system and calculates gross margins. The model was run for a 100ha block using average Manawatu pasture growth rates. The two systems were set to consume 11000 kg DM/ha of pasture per year. The model indicates that, at the same lambing percentage (160\%) the STAR system earned an extra 26\% of income compared with the traditional system. Even at a lower lambing percentage (148 versus 160) the system can match a seasonal lamb production system. With a 10 \% premium for out of season lambs the STAR system generates an extra 56\% in profit. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morel PCH and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41498,
	title = {The effect of sward height during pregnancy on wool grown by ewes rearing twins or triplets},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {171-174},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Previous work estimating the impact of rearing lambs on wool growth and processing characteristics has been done primarily with single and twin-bearing ewes. The effect of bearing/rearing triplets on wool growth has been largely extrapolated from these data. The aim of this study was to compare the wool growth and quality of twin- and triplet- bearing/rearing ewes offered different sward height allowances. After pregnancy scanning, 94 Romney ewes (including 68 twin- and 26 triplet-bearing ewes) with 6 weeks wool growth, were randomly allocated to four different sward heights (2, 4, 6 and 8 cm). Within the first 24 hours of parturition ewes were transferred to one of two sward heights (4 and 8 cm). Ewes were shorn 87 days after parturition, the fleece was weighed and a sample was taken from the midside for measurement of fleece characteristics. There were no interactions between nutritional treatment and litter size for any wool measurements. Fleeces from twin-bearing/rearing ewes tended to be heavier (P<0.1 ; 2.0 kg vs 1.9 kg) than those from triplet-bearing/rearing ewes. There was no effect of litter size on any other wool characteristic. Ewes offered 2 cm during the last half of pregnancy had lighter (1.6 vs 2.2 kg, P<0.05) and finer (39.0 vs 41.8 {\textmu}m, P<0.05) fleeces than those offered 4 cm but there was no increase in weight or fineness for those offered more than 4 cm. Nutritional treatments post parturition had no significant effects on wool characteristics. There seems to be little benefit, in terms of wool growth and wool processing characteristics, of offering twin- or triplet-bearing ewes a sward height of more than 4 cm. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sherlock RG and Torbatinejad N and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41508,
	title = {Hogget mating in New Zealand - a survey},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {217-222},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Currently less than 30\% of all hoggets are presented for mating in New Zealand. This would suggest that there are a number of disadvantages to this management practise. However to date it has not been accurately established what farmers perceive as the disadvantages of hogget mating and the relative importance of each of these disadvantages. A questionnaire was sent to New Zealand sheep farmers which asked a series of questions regarding farm type, size, farm class, flock type, flock size and the intended use of hogget mating in 2002 and its use in the past. Those farmers who were not intending to mate hoggets in 2002 were also asked to indicate the importance, on a scale of 1.4, of 11 stated reasons for not hogget mating. A total of 1981 questionnaires were returned and used in the present study from a total of 14,000 sent to farmers. Descriptive analysis indicated negative effects on two-tooth performance and lack of additional feed were the two main reasons for not mating hoggets. The least important variables were lack of experience and the need for extra rams/teasers. The intended use of hogget mating differed based on farm class, farm size, ewe flock size and farm and flock type. Farmers were more than twice as likely to mate hoggets in 2002 if they had a mixed-bred flock in comparison to a straight-bred flock and more than twenty times more likely to mate hoggets in 2002 if they had mated hoggets in previous years. This study indicates that farmers perceive impaired two-tooth performance as a major reason for not hogget mating, even though research to date would indicate this is not that case. Therefore either improved technology transfer is required or the effects of hogget mating on two-tooth performance need to be re-visited. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Perkins NR and West DM}
}
@conference {41499,
	title = {Manipulating lamb birth weight and survival rate in singletons born to hoggets},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {175-178},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Lambs born to hoggets tend to be relatively lightweight at birth (Drymundsson, 1973; McMillan \& McDonald, 1983) and display low survival rates to weaning (McCall \& Hight 1981; McMillan \& McDonald, 1983). In addition the incidence of singletons in hoggets often exceeds 92\% (McCall \& Hight, 1981; McMillan \& McDonald, 1983). Therefore management procedures that improve both birth weight and survival of singleton lambs should have a significant effect on returns.
Severe under nutrition during pregnancy of mature ewes can lead to reduced ewe and lamb performance (Rattray 1986), which can negatively affect lamb survival. However to date minimal research under New Zealand{\textquoteright}s pastoral conditions has been undertaken in hoggets. In contrast to the mature ewe, it is also advantageous for the hogget to be increasing in conceptus-free live weight during pregnancy if lifetime performance is not to be negatively affected. Interestingly, under concentrate feeding regimes in the United Kingdom it has been reported that a high level of hogget nutrition in pregnancy, actually reduces both lamb birth weight and survival (Wallace et al., 1996).
Shearing mature ewes in mid- to late-pregnancy has been shown to differentially increase singleton- (Morris et al., 2000; Kenyon et al., 2002a) and twin-lamb birth weights (Morris \& McCutcheon, 1997; Morris et al., 1999; Kenyon et al., 2002b). Mid-pregnancy shearing has tended to increase twin-lamb survival rates (Morris et al., 1999; Kenyon et al., 2002b) but has been found to decrease singleton survival rates in one of four studies (Kenyon 2002). The effect of mid- to late-pregnancy shearing of hoggets has not been examined under pastoral conditions in New Zealand. Due to the low rate of twin pregnancies in hogget{\textquoteright}s the chance of achieving a positive affect from mid-pregnancy shearing on both a lamb birth weight and survival may be low.
The aims of these studies were to determine if hogget live weight change and shearing treatment during pregnancy could be used to manipulate singleton lamb birth weight and survival. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Morris ST and West DM and Stafford KJ and Corner RA and Ottema K and Burnham DL}
}
@conference {41426,
	title = {Development of a technique to evaluate the role of elevated maternal thyroid hormone concentrations in the birthweight response to mid-pregnancy shearing.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {63},
	year = {2003},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {149-151},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Queenstown},
	abstract = {Several studies have shown that lambs born to mid-pregnancy shorn ewes are heavier at birth than those born to unshorn ewes (Morris et al. 2000, Kenyon et al. 2002a,b) but, the mechanism responsible has not been identified. Morris et al. (2000) observed elevated maternal triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations over a 20-day period after shearing at mid-pregnancy in both single- and twin-bearing ewes and subsequently found an increased birthweight in the singletons. Symonds et al. (1989) also reported maternal T3 and T4 concentrations to be higher in pregnancy-shorn housed ewes although, an altered birthweight was not reported. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Parkinson TJ and Revell DK and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {41427,
	title = {The effect of sward height on twin and triplet lamb birth weights and survival rates to weaning},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {63},
	year = {2003},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {152-154},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Queenstown},
	abstract = {The differential allocation of pasture between ewes of different bearing/rearing ranks requires a knowledge of the relationship between herbage allowance, intake and production. Few experiments have been conducted in which responses to different pasture allowances have been examined for triplet-bearing/rearing ewes, particularly under continuous stocking management. Published feed requirements for ewes rearing triplets have often been extrapolated from those defined for twin-rearing ewes (Geenty \& Rattray 1987). The sward surface guidelines for feeding single- and twin-bearing ewes have been published and researched under New Zealand conditions (Parker \& McCutcheon 1992; Morris et al., 1993a, 1993b; Morris et al., 1994).
There is anecdotal evidence for varying lambing performance and lamb growth rates for triplet-bearing/rearing ewes under pastoral grazing conditions. The national average lambing percentage is increasing to beyond 120\% (MWIES 2002). The proportion of triplets in flocks lambing above 150\% increases at the expense of single-born lambs (Amer et al., 1999).
The aim of the research communicated in this paper was to compare ewe and lamb performance in twin- and triplet-bearing/rearing ewes offered various sward height allowances. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Kenyon PR and Burnham DL and Everett-Hincks JM}
}
@conference {41425,
	title = {Metabolic changes in ewes shorn during mid-pregnancy},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {63},
	year = {2003},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {144-148},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Queenstown},
	abstract = {Previous work has shown that, under appropriate circumstances, mid-pregnancy shearing results in an increase of both the birth and weaning weights of multiple-born lambs. However, the physiological mechanisms for this response are poorly understood. This paper attempts to clarify the link between mid-pregnancy shearing and heavier lamb weights by investigating the metabolic changes that occur in ewes that are shorn in mid-pregnancy. Twenty-four twin-bearing ewes were assigned to one of two treatment groups; mid-pregnancy shorn (70 days after the mid-point of mating: P70) or unshorn. Groups were balanced for ewe age and weight. Blood samples were collected from all animals on days P53, P69, P81, P84, P90, P109 and P130, for measurement of concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Lamb birth weight, girth and crown-rump length (CRL) measurements were collected within 24 hrs of birth. Lambs were weighed at weaning. Mid-pregnancy shearing increased lamb birth weights and girths by 0.43 kg (P<0.05) and 2.18 cm (P<0.05) respectively although these differences were not significant once adjusted for date of birth. There was no effect on CRL. Plasma concentrations of T3 and T4 were significantly higher in mid-pregnancy-shorn ewes relative to unshorn ewes at both P81 (P<0.01) and P84 (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively) and T4 concentrations tended to be higher at P90 (P<0.10). There was a significant effect of shearing treatment at P81 on plasma NEFA concentrations (P<0.05). There were no significant post-shearing differences in mean cortisol, glucose or beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. The study proposes that the most likely mechanism by which mid-pregnancy results in higher lamb birth weights is by increasing maternal thyroid hormone concentrations, resulting in an increase in fat mobilisation causing increased NEFA concentrations in the maternal blood supply, which in turn improves placental nutrition and, thus, lamb birth weight. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sherlock RG and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Parkinson TJ}
}
@conference {41313,
	title = {Does an increase in lamb birth weight through mid-pregnancy shearing necessarily mean an increase in lamb survival rates to weaning?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {62},
	year = {2002},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {53-56},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Lambing percentages in New Zealand have risen over the past decade and will most likely continue to rise, while the price for lamb remains high in relation to wool. Any technique that can increase the birth weights of lightweight multiple-born lambs may increase survival rates to weaning. Mid-pregnancy shearing as a possible technique to increase lamb survival under commercial conditions was examined in the present study. Mid-pregnancy shearing was found to significantly (4.7 vs 5.1kg, P<0.05) increase the birth weights of twin-born lambs but had no effect on birth weight of singletons or triplet-born lambs. Both the magnitude of the response, and the fact that it did not occur in all birth ranks, are consistent with previous mid-pregnancy shearing studies. Mid-pregnancy shearing had no significant effect on lamb survival rates to weaning. To achieve an increase in survival rate to weaning through an increase in lamb birth weight alone, the lamb must be born within a birth weight survival range below optimum, and the increase in birth weight must be large enough to move a significant proportion of these lightweight lambs into a higher survival rate range. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {41314,
	title = {Does mid-pregnancy shearing affect lamb fleece characteristics},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {62},
	year = {2002},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {57-60},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Mid-pregnancy shearing has been promoted as a technique to increase both lamb birth weight and survival in multiple-born lambs. Mid-pregnancy shearing has also been shown to increase dam wool quantity and quality and, in some instances, increase lamb growth rates until weaning. It has also been suggested that shearing of the dam during pregnancy results in a change in the lamb{\textquoteright}s fleece characteristics. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of dam shearing treatment on lamb fleece characteristics. Thirty-one singleton and 29 twin-born lambs were born to either mid-pregnancy shorn or unshorn Romney ewes. At 6 months of age the lambs were midside sampled (to allow measurement of staple length (SL), washing yield, loose wool bulk, colour and mean fibre diameter (MFD)). A skin biopsy was taken from the midside to measure the ratio of secondary to primary follicles. The lambs were shorn three weeks later and a fleeceweight was obtained. Lambs born to shorn dams had a higher MFD (32.9 vs. 31.3mm, P<0.05) and had slightly whiter wool (0.1 vs. 0.3, P=0.07) than their counterparts born to unshorn ewes but did not differ for yield, SL or bulk. The higher MFD found in the lambs born to shorn ewes was associated with a decrease in the number of secondary follicles (P<0.05) without a significant decrease in the number of primary fibres. There was a significant interaction (P=0.05) between birth rank and shearing treatment on fleeceweight such that twin-born lambs born to shorn dams tended to have heavier fleeces (by 170g) than those born to unshorn dams, this relationship was not observed in singleton lambs. This study suggests that for singleton lambs, mid-pregnancy shearing of the dam will have no appreciable effect on wool value. However in twin-born lambs an increase in fleece weight may offset any decreased value due to higher MFD. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sherlock RG and Kenyon PR and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41076,
	title = {Improving lamb birth weight through mid-to-late-pregnancy shearing: a review of recent studies},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {70-72},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A series of five experiments have been conducted at Massey University to determine whether mid- to late-pregnancy shearing of ewes might provide an opportunity to increase lamb birthweights and enhance survival, particularly of multiple-born lambs, under New Zealand{\textquoteleft}s pastoral conditions. Although birthweight responses were seen in most studies, they were not consistent with respect to the magnitude of the response or its occurrence in singles vs twins. However, when comparison was made across studies there was a strongly negative relationship between the size of the response and the birthweights of control lambs (those from unshorn ewes). We conclude that responses to mid- to late-pregnancy shearing are likely to be greatest when fetal growth in unshorn ewes is limited by maternal constraint. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Revell DK and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {41038,
	title = {The effect of grazing management on pasture and animal production late Autumn to Early-Spring period in a one year Bull Beef Grazing System.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {236-238},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The aim of this trial was to improve pasture growth rate and animal liveweight gains in the late autumn and early spring on a one year bull beef production system. The trial was conducted at the Tuapaka bull unit, Massey University, from 1 April to 30 September 1997. It compared three contrasting managements, operating on a total of 165 bulls stocked at 2.6 bull/ha. Treatment 1 followed a grazing plan based on the average pasture growth rate for the region, the animal requirements needed to achieve performance targets, and pasture mass targets (2700-2800 kg DM/ha and 1500-1600 kg DM/ha for late autumn and early spring, and 3000-3200 kg DM/ha and 1100-1200 kg DM/ha for winter for pre-grazing and post-grazing, respectively). Treatment 2 was managed according to the same pre-grazing and post-grazing targets. In this treatment the pasture targets were monitored daily, and bulls were shifted when the post-grazing targets were achieved. No supplement was used in Treatments 1 and 2. Treatment 3 followed traditional Tuapaka management, based on a 50 day rotation over the late autumn and winter, a 30 day rotation in August, and set stocking in September. Supplement was fed to this treatment as required in the winter. The overall liveweight gain (0.84 {\textpm} 0.02, 0.87 {\textpm} 0.02, 0.74 {\textpm} 0.01 kg LW/head/day for Treatments 1, 2, and 3 respectively) and final liveweight (354.7 {\textpm} 3.54, 359.8 {\textpm} 3.65, and 335.6 {\textpm} 3.27) were similar for Treatments 1 and 2 which were both significantly higher (P<0.001) than Treatment 3. Net herbage accumulation was significantly different (P<0.01) between Treatment 1 (6147 {\textpm} 369.3 kg DM/ha), Treatment 2 (7062 {\textpm} 319.9 kg DM/ha), and Treatment 3 (5277 {\textpm} 334.08 kg DM/ha). It was concluded that it is possible to improve both pasture production and bull beef performance when grazing is based on the management of prescribed sward conditions. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Coutinho HB and Matthews PNP and Morris ST}
}
@conference {41020,
	title = {Effect of maternal nutrition during early and mid gestation on fetal growth},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {175-177},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of maternal nutrition during early and mid-gestation on fetal growth. In the first, crossbred heifers were managed for High (H, 0.6 kg/day) or Low (L, 0.1 kg/day) live weight gains from mating until day 140 of gestation. Treatments were then reversed so that effects of nutrition during early gestation were not confounded by differences in maternal live weight at calving. Maternal liveweights (kg, Mean{\textpm}SE, n=30/group) were (L vs H) 350.6{\textpm}4.9 vs 394.3{\textpm}5.3 (P<0.001) at day 140 of gestation and 393.5{\textpm}5.3 vs 394.4{\textpm}5.8 (P>0.05) at term. Calf birth weights (L vs H) were 30.9{\textpm}0.7 vs 29.9{\textpm}0.8 kg (P>0.05). In the second study, 60 Romney ewes were allocated to three nutritional treatments, 0.5 maintenance (M), 1.0M or 1.5M from days 21 to 101 of gestation. At day 101, ewe liveweights were 45.8{\textpm}1.4, 56.8{\textpm}1.4 and 69.1{\textpm}1.4 kg respectively (P<0.001). Fetal weights at slaughter (day 101 of gestation) were 1249.9{\textpm}40.6, 1280.8{\textpm}38.0 and 1379.8{\textpm}35.2 g respectively (P<0.05). These results indicate that, although the fetus places a relatively small nutritional demand on the dam in early gestation, fetal development can in some situations be influenced by maternal nutrition, particularly when dams are over- rather than under-fed. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Cooper K and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {41036,
	title = {New Zealand beef industry structure and opportunities to improve income},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {228-230},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {As a product, beef can be classified as suiting table or processing requirements. The aim of this study is to quantify the volume and value of table and processing beef arising from herds of beef or dairy origin to identify opportunities for increasing industry revenue from improving table beef harvest relative to processing products. A deterministic model was developed to calculate product flows and income from processing and table beef derived from beef and dairy herds over a 20 year horizon. The dairy herd contributed 52\% of beef, 60\% of processing grade beef and 45\% of total beef income. Processing grade beef comprised 58\% of total product by weight. Beef-breed steers and Holstein-Friesian (F) bulls were the largest contributors of any cattle class to table and processing grade beef and total industry revenue. Improving the harvest of table beef by 1\% from F bulls would increase beef industry revenue by 0.7\%, a similar increase in revenue that could be achieved from beef-breed steers. The relative contribution of beef and dairy origin cattle to beef revenue is insensitive to table beef premiums over processing beef. Any improvement strategy within the beef industry should be considered with dairy-origin beef animals in mind. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Charteris PL and Garrick DJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40915,
	title = {Incorporating turnips into the pasture diet of lactating dairy cows.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {161-164},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Turnips have become a popular forage crop in New Zealand and Australia for supplementing dairy cows grazing pasture during the summer and autumn. However, it is unclear what combination of turnips and summer pasture best meets the dietary requirements of lactating dairy cows. New information was therefore gathered on the digestibility of turnips fed in conjunction with summer pasture and this was used in the ration balancing model, SPARTAN, to determine the optimum combination of turnips and summer pasture for a {\textquoteleft}large{\textquoteleft} dairy cow (500 kg, 17 l/d) during mid-to late-lactation. Twelve wethers (n = 3/group) were used to determine the in vivo digestibility of four diets with a summer pasture (P):turnip (T) dry matter (DM) ratio of: 100P:0T, 75P:25T, 50P:50T and 0P:100T. The DM digestibilities of the diets, fed at 1.0 kg DM/d, were 65, 71, 81 and 89\%, respectively. As the portion of turnips in the diet increased so too did the dry matter intake (0.64, 0.78, 0.77 and 0.93 kg DM/d, respectively). Relative to pasture, turnip was low in fibre and crude protein but high in available carbohydrate. The optimum portion of turnips, on a DM basis, when fed in conjunction with summer pasture was 21\% of the dietary intake. For the average New Zealand dairy cow, this equates to 3-5 kg turnip DM/d. A 100\% turnip diet would not meet cow requirements because of the low fibre and protein content of turnips, but a 100\% pasture diet could, providing it was reasonable of quality (ca. 65\% DMD and at least 17\% crude protein) and available in sufficient quantity not to restrict cow intake. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {McFerran R and Singh V and Parker WJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40958,
	title = {Short-Term Grain Feeding and its Effect on Carcass and Meat Quality.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {275-277},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Forty-five crossbred steers weighing 540-580 kg were assigned to three treatment groups. Group 1 received pasture only for 58 days; Group 2 grazed at a similar herbage mass to Group 1 and were supplemented with 4 kg/hd/day of a concentrate ration; Group 3 were on a feedlot and fed 8 kg/hd/day of concentrate together with 2.0 kg/hd/day of straw. Groups 2 and 3 each had a 28 day pre-conditioning period followed by a 30 day concentrate feeding period. Final fasted liveweight, liveweight gains, and carcass weights for concentrate, concentrate plus pasture and pasture alone groups were 546 {\textpm} 9, 548 {\textpm} 9, 547 {\textpm} 8 kg; 0.33 {\textpm} 0.09, 0.42 {\textpm} 0.09, -0.05 {\textpm} 0.09 kg/hd/day and 293 {\textpm} 7, 315 {\textpm} 4 and 313 {\textpm} 4 kg, respectively. The concentrate plus pasture and pasture only fed groups had greater fat depths. Ultimate pH was slightly lower in concentrate fed than pasture fed cattle but there were no differences in fat colour or tenderness as measured in the laboratory. Plasma carotene levels were significantly lowered by a factor of 10 in the concentrate fed group compared to the grass fed group, but this did not affect fat colour when measured subjectively at the meat processing plant or objectively in the laboratory. Apparently feeding concentrates for 30 days is insufficient to affect fat colour characteristics. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Purchas RW and Burnham DL}
}
@conference {40925,
	title = {Sire by finishing environment interactions for carcass and meat quality traits in beef cattle.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {192-195},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Genotype by environment interactions can result in bulls having different genetic merits applicable to different environments. Beef cattle have traditionally been finished on pasture in New Zealand. The desire to meet perceived market requirements for meat quality has encouraged progeny testing and led to feedlotting. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sires on the basis of performance of their pasture-finished steer progeny, their feedlot-finished steer progeny and to compare the assessments of these sires from offspring in each environment. Fourteen Angus sires had progeny in both environments comprising 54 pasture-finished steers and 148 feedlot-finished steers. Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of each sire were obtained separately for eight traits that were measured for both pasture and feedlot progeny. Product-moment correlations between sire EBVs based on pasture-finished progeny and EBVs based on feedlot-finished progeny averaged 0.11 (range -0.16 meat colour to 0.50 subcutaneous fat depth). The expected distributions of these correlations between EBVs were obtained by simulation for a range of null hypotheses determined by the true genetic correlation between performance in the two environments using Monte Carlo simulation. The expected distributions of correlations between environments were determined for differing numbers of progeny per sire and for the effect of preselecting prior to entering the progeny test. The distributions of correlations were used to determine whether the low observed correlations between EBVs estimated from each environment were likely to have arisen from chance sampling or were truly indicative of genotype by environment interaction. Based on actual progeny numbers per sire in each environment there were significant (P=0.05) sire by finishing environment interactions for most traits analysed. Increasing the number of progeny per sire would increase the chance of detecting such interactions, in that case separate progeny testing programmes for each environment may be necessary. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Charteris PL and Garrick DJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40842,
	title = {A comparison of unbred and once-bred lamb production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {307-309},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The once-bred lamb (OBL) production system involves mating ewe  lambs at 8 months of age to be slaughtered at approximately 15 months of  age after rearing a lamb. This study compared the performance of bred ewe  lambs (},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Johnston JB and Morris ST and Purchas RW and McCutcheon SN and Parker WJ}
}
@conference {40848,
	title = {The effect of shearing by cover comb or blades on the resistance of sheep to cold, windy and wet conditions},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {332-333},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Four pairs (total 8 sheep) of Romney mixed-age ewes were housed  indoors and fed chaffed lucerne hay at a level equivalent to 1.2 times  maintenance. Oxygen consumption was measured in two open circuit  calorimeter chambers on days -3, -2, 0, 2, 6 and 10 with day 0 being day of  shearing. On each measurement day, oxygen consumption was measured  under two sets of climatic conditions (cold plus wind, followed by cold plus  wind plus rain). Differences in live weight, fleece weight and liveweight  gain of the ewes were not statistically significant. The difference in the rate  of oxygen consumption (litres/kg0.75/hour) between cover comb and blade  shorn-sheep was not significant during the cold+wind conditions. However,  when },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Burnham DL and Holmes CW and Morris ST and Parker WJ and Kidd RI}
}
@conference {40794,
	title = {Effects of condensed tannins on animal performance in lambs grazing Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {118-121},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A comparative study was undertaken in Uruguay from August to early  November 1994 to investigate differences in animal performance between  lambs rotationally grazing mixed swards of annual ryegrass (Lolium  multiflorum) and white clover (Trifolium repens) or Yorkshire fog (Holcus  lanatus) and Trifolium repens. The effects of condensed tannins (CT) on  lamb production were assessed by twice daily oral administration of  polyethylene glycol to half the lambs on each sward combination. Lambs  grazing on Yorkshire fog swards had higher clean wool growth (1470 vs  1280 },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Montossi F and Hodgson J and Morris ST and Risso DF}
}
@conference {40869,
	title = {Plasma carotenoid concentrations early in life can be used as a selection criterion for fat colour in heifers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {398-399},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Plasma carotenoid (PC) concentrations were measured at 2-5 month  intervals in 20 Hereford x Jersey (HJ) and 20 Hereford x Friesian (HF) once  bred heifers from 10-35 months-of-age. Half of the heifers were slaughtered  at 31 months-of-age and the rest at 35 months-of-age. The colour of the  subcutaneous and intermuscular fat was measured using a chromameter and  c* values were calculated. Subcutaneous and intermuscular fats in HJ  heifers were yellower (i.e. they had higher c* values) than in HF heifers.  Regression equations that included breed, date of slaughter and PC  concentrations at 10-12 months-of-age, accounted for 56\% of the variation  in c* values for subcutaneous fat and 40\% of the variation in c* values for  intermuscular fat (P<0.001). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Death AF and Knight TW and Purchas RW and Morris ST and Burnham DL}
}
@conference {40694,
	title = {Effect of continuous stocking of breeding ewes at different sward surface heights during the late summer-autumn on herbage intake and productivity},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {55},
	year = {1995},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {141-144},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {This study aimed to raise GnRH antibodies in young bulls  (immunocastration) and determine the subsequent effect on behaviour,  sexual development, carcass characteristics and meat quality. Thirty Friesian  bull calves were assigned to one of three groups balanced by liveweight  (control bulls, immunocastrates and steers). At nine months of age (Day 0)  immunocastrates were vaccinated against GnRH (Vaxstrate) and boosted one  month later (Day 31). Following immunisation there was a rise in GnRH  antibody titre and a decrease in testosterone. Control animals gained  significantly more weight than immunocastrates and steers in the first 157  days. Overall there was no difference in weight gain between controls and  immunocastrates. Mean scrotal diameter of immunocastrates decreased from  Day 31 to Day 110 and then rose to reach a diameter similar to those of the  control bulls by Day 322. Leg wear scores were lower for treated animals  compared to controls until Day 230 of the trial, although these differences  were not significant. Immunocastrates had a significantly higher mean  ultimate pH than both control bulls and steers. Bulls were significantly  leaner than immunocastrates, and both groups were leaner than steers.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Panggabean AU and Morris ST and Parker WJ and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40734,
	title = {Selection for beef quality traits},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {55},
	year = {1995},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {275-277},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Records on 24 146 Angus and 5 632 Hereford carcasses processed at  Manawatu Beef Packers between March 1993 and August 1994 which had  been evaluated for beef marbling standard (BMS), beef fat standard (BFS)  and beef colour standard (BCS) were used to derive overall meat quality  score. Overall meat quality score in the Japanese grading system is  determined by the lowest grade from: semi-objective assessment for BMS,  BFS and BCS; and subjective assessment for meat brightness, firmness and  texture, fat lustre and quality. Subjective measures of meat and fat quality  are not routinely recorded at this plant and therefore overall meat quality  score could only account for the three recorded items. The majority of  Angus and Hereford carcasses (84.0 and 82.9\%) had an overall meat quality  score of 1 (inferior) and no carcasses had score 5 (excellent). This study  reports the effects of selection to improve Japanese overall meat quality  score by single trait improvement of the three meat quality attributes. A  change of one grade in BMS (or BFS) for Angus carcasses decreased the  proportion of score 1 carcasses to 12.8\% (or 74.7\%) and improved overall  meat quality score from an average of 1.17 to 1.96 (or 1.29). A change of  one grade in BMS (or BFS) for Hereford carcasses decreased the proportion  of score 1 carcasses to 16.1\% (or 66.8\%) and changed overall meat quality  score from an average of 1.18 to 1.90 (or 1.35).   Selection based on a well-designed progeny test would take 5 (or 9) years to  improve BMS (or BFS) by one grade. Biological factors introduce a lag of at  least six years from the start of test matings until there can be widespread  harvest of beef animals with improved meat quality. Selection for BMS can  improve overall meat quality score more effectively and more rapidly than  selection for other meat quality traits.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Charteris PL and Garrick DJ and Morris ST and Wright LA}
}
@conference {40630,
	title = {Biological efficiency: How relevant is this concept to beef cows in a mixed livestock, seasonal pasture supply context?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {333-336},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Efficiency, defined as the ratio of output to input, can be calculated for  
any product, and for any of the resources employed to generate that particular  
product.  "Weight of calf weaned per unit cow liveweight" is commonly used  
to measure biological efficiency in the beef cow herd, based partly on the  
assumption that feed intakes and hence costs are related to liveweight.  A more  
direct measure, and the one used here, is "weight of carcass produced per unit  
of feed intake".  The biological efficiency of the traditional beef breeding cow,  
determined in this manner, is low compared to that of other beef cow systems  
(e.g. twinning cows, once-bred heifers).  This is primarily because of the  
relatively low reproductive rate in traditional cow herds and the high proportion  
of annual feed consumption used to maintain the breeding female and her  
replacements. 
 
A simple output/input ratio may not, however, be appropriate for the mixed  
sheep and cattle systems which are widely used in New Zealand.  For these  
systems, where a competitive or complementary relationship may exist between  
enterprises, a more complex efficiency ratio that contains elements of the  
whole farm system is likely to be more appropriate.  Furthermore, in a seasonal  
pasture production system, where the supply of feed is likely to limit  
production at certain times of the year, feed does not have fixed value.  Feed  
costs therefore become an important component of the efficiency equation.   
Utilisation by other livestock of a scarce resource (e.g. winter feed) is also  
likely to have an influence on the economic efficiency of the system.  For  
example, if biological efficiency is ignored then output (weight of calf weaned)  
may be increased simply by increasing cow size but with no consideration of  
the extra feed inputs necessary to maintain larger cows, or the pressure that  
additional feed requirements may place on other components of the system at  
particular times of the year. 
 
In this paper, the relevance of biological efficiency is explored by comparing  
both biological and economic efficiencies of four cattle systems - traditional  
beef cows, beef x dairy cows (with and without twinning) and once-bred  
heifers - alone and in mixed sheep and cattle policies.  We conclude that  
biological efficiency is a relevant concept, primarily because its components  
(carcass weigh and feed consumed) are also important determinants of  
economic efficiency.  However marked differences between systems in the  
value of the carcass produced and/or feed consumed can lead to a poor  
correlation between the efficiency ranking of systems by biological and  
economic criteria. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Brookes IM and Parker WJ and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40567,
	title = {The effect of pasture height on herbage intake and ewe production under continuous stocking management during the autumn.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {75-78},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A replicated trial design with ewes continuously stocked on mixed  
ryegrass/white clover pastures at three target sward surface heights (SSH) of 4,  
6 and 8 cm, and 16 ewes per sward treatment (total 96 ewes), was carried out  
from February through to April 1993.  Herbage intake was assessed indirectly  
from faecal output measured using chromium controlled release capsules and  
the <I>in vitro</I> digestibility of herbage samples obtained from oesophageal- 
fistulated sheep run with the ewes.  Intake measurements were taken before and  
after the rams were joined with the ewes. 
 
Pasture measurements for the 4, 6 and 8 cm SSH treatments were: SSH, 4.12 vs  
6.18 vs 7.97 cm (PSE 0.54 cm, P<0.05); mass, 3358 vs 4291 vs 5231 kg  
DM/ha (PSE 389 kg DM/ha, P<0.1); dead mater content, 38.9 vs 26.7 vs 40.4\%  
(PSE 5.8\%, NS); and organic matter digestibility, 68.0 vs 71.9 vs 63.8\% (PSE  
1.21\%, P<0.0001).  Organic Matter (OM) intakes fro the 4, 6 and 8 cm SSH  
treatments were 1.39 vs 1.86 vs 1.06 kg OM/ewe/day (PSE 0.08 kg  
OM/ewe/day, P<0.05) for the pre-mating intake and 1.26 vs 1.34 vs. 1.09 kg  
OM/head/day (PSE 0.06 kg OM/ewe/day, NS) for the mating intake period. 
 
Production responses of the ewes for the 4, 6 and 8 cm SSH treatments were:  
liveweight gain, 72 vs 83 vs. 73 g/day (PSE 5 g/day, NS); and wool growth  
rate, 1.37 vs 1.44 vs 1.42 mg/cm2/day (PSE 0.03 mg/cm2/day, NS).  These  
results suggest that, in the autumn, maximum herbage intake and ewe  
performance on ryegrass - white clover pastures can be obtained at a sward  
height of about 4 cm, and that pasture digestibility and dead matter content in  
the pastures are the major limiting factors at this time of year. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Burnham DL and Parker WJ and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40604,
	title = {Effects of pre-lamb and conventional full-wool shearing on the productivity of ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {223-226},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The effects of pre-lamb and conventional (post-weaning) annual 
shearing of ewes on their productivity and that of their lambs were studies 
over a three year period.  Ewes (n-500) were selected from a flock of 5000 
mixed-age Border Leicester x Romney ewes at Massey University{\textquoteright}s Riverside 
property in the Wairarapa in April 1989 and randomly allocated to two equal 
sized groups.  Both groups were managed under the same conditions until December 
1991.  Throughout the trial, one group was shorn after weaning in  
November/December and the second group was shorn prior to lambing in  
August.  Ewe liveweight and lambing performance were measured over three  
years, and individual ewe fleeceweights were recorded over two full years.   
Pre-lambing ewe liveweights were similar for both policies in all years, while  
post-weaning liveweights were greater in pre-lamb shorn ewes in 1989 only.   
Annual fleeceweights were significantly (P<0.05) greater for the pre-lamb  
shorn ewes in 1990 (4.07{\textpm}0.05 vs 3.64{\textpm}0.06 kg) but not in 1991 (3.61{\textpm}0.08 vs  
3.75{\textpm}0.09 kg).  Lamb birthweights and weaning weights did not differ between  
shearing treatments.  The small difference in ewe and lamb performance  
between the shearing treatments suggests that management factors, such as the  
provision of feed and shelter post-shearing, the spread of seasonal work, net  
income per ewe and cashflow, should determine whether a pre-lamb shearing  
policy is adopted. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Dabiri N and Parker WJ and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40624,
	title = {The effects of restricted suckling and prepartum nutritional level on reproductive performance of primiparous crossbred beef cows.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {307-310},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Reproductive performance was recorded in a total of 21 two-year-old  
Hereford x Friesian and Simmental x Friesian primiparous cows before and  
after restriction of calf suckling.  Cows were allocated one of two pastures  
allowances from day 112 to 212 of gestation so that the high nutrition (HN)  
group gained 0.75 kg/d, and the low nutrition (LN) group gained 0.17 kg/d  
during mid-gestation.  Suckling was suppressed for 7 days by fitting nose plates  
to 46-day-old calves in the restricted suckling (RS) group, whereas the normal  
suckling (NS) group remained as a control.  Dominant follicles in the ovaries  
occurred in all cows by day 32 <I>post partum</I> and underwent a pattern of growth  
and atresia before first ovulation.  Restricted suckling cows had a shorter  
interval from calving to conception than NS cows (76.0 {\textpm} 5 vs 94.1 {\textpm} 6 days,  
P<0.05, whereas genotype and nutritional treatment had no effect on interval to  
conception.  However, the beneficial effect of suckling restriction on days from  
calving to conception only occurred in cows fed the high herbage allowance in  
mid-gestation.  RS calves spent more time grazing during the period of  
attachment of nose plates and differences in behaviour remained over a further  
5 days after nose plates were removed (62.4 {\textpm} 7 vs 38.6 {\textpm} 7 minutes spent  
grazing; P<0.001), but were lighter at weaning (146.7 {\textpm} 3 vs 162.4 {\textpm} 3 kg;  
P<0.01).  Despite the lower calf liveweight at weaning it is concluded that  
manipulation of suckling through fitting nose plates to calves can be used to  
initiate earlier re-breeding in primiparous cows. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {De Nava Silva GT and Burnham DL and McDonald MF and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40566,
	title = {Herbage intake, ingestive behaviour and diet selection in sheep grazing Holcus lanatus and perennial ryegrass swards},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {71-74},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Grazing behaviour, diet selection, and herbage intake of ewes in mid- 
pregnancy were studied on perennial ryegrass/white clover and <I>Holcus  
lanatus</I>/white clover swards rotationally grazed at medium and high 
allowances (6\% and 12\% of liveweight as herbage dry matter respectively) 
during late autumn.  Estimates of herbage mass and sward height before 
grazing were similar for the two pasture types. 
 
Animals on both pasture types concentrated grass rather than clover in the diet,  
and extrusa samples from both showed evidence of limited concentrations of  
condensed tannins.  Herbage intake was 28\% higher from ryegrass than from  
Yorkshire fog swards (1410 vs 1100 {\textpm} 29 g DM/day) and 19\% greater at high  
allowance (1370 vs 1150 {\textpm} 50 g OM/day).  Bite weight was 61\% greater for  
Yorkshire fog than for ryegrass (139 vs 86 {\textpm} 7.0 g OM/bite) and 30\% lower for  
medium allowance than for high allowance (90 vs 130 {\textpm} 7.0 mg OM/bite).   
Grazing time was higher on ryegrass swards and for medium allowance (610 vs  
500 {\textpm} 34 mins and 620 vs 495 {\textpm} 27 mins) whereas differences in rate of biting  
were small.  There was a small advantage in the organic matter digestibility of  
the herbage selected in favour of ryegrass swards (85.7 vs 82.2 {\textpm} 0.3\%), while  
no differences were found between herbage allowances. 
 
It is concluded that herbage intake was influenced more by nutritional than by  
behavioural constraints, but that these effects need to be investigated in 
animals of higher production potential and nutrient demand. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Montossi FM and Hu Y and Hodgson J and Morris ST}
}
@conference {40538,
	title = {The evaluation of kiwifruit vinegar as a stock feed},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {413-416},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {One hundred and forty Polled Dorset lambs were randomly allocated to  graze one of seven herbages (n = 20/herbage) and either trickle dosed (n=12)  with a total of 108,000 third stage gastrointestinal nematode larvae (50\%  Trichostrongylus colubriformis and 50\% Ostertagia circumcincta) over 6  weeks, or undosed (n=8) and allowed to ingest any nematode larvae on pasture.   After 28 days on the trial lambs dosed with larvae had higher (P<0.001) faecal  egg counts (FEC{\textquoteright}s) than undosed lambs but after 42 days egg counts did not  differ (P>0.05) between dosed and undosed groups. Dosing with larvae did not  significantly alter the liveweight gain (LWG). Herbage species affected LWG,  being highest on lotus (Lotus pedunculatus cv Maku) and lowest on  ryegrass/white clover (Lolium perenne/Trifolium repens), with other  treatments being intermediate.   Dosed lambs grazing chicory (Chicorium intybus) had more faecal dags than  any other group of lambs. Those grazing G27 red clover (Trifolium pratense)  were worst afflicted by a dermatitis type condition commonly referred to as  trefoil dermatitis. Plasma pepsinogen levels differed significantly (P<0.05)  only between dosed and undosed groups grazing pawera red clover,  ryegrass/white clover and sulla (Hedysarium coronarium).   Worm counts were undertaken on ryegrass/white clover and sulla grazed  lambs. Both dosed and undosed groups grazing ryegrass/white clover had  higher (P<0.05) abomasal worm counts than sulla grazed lambs, intestinal  worm counts were highest in dosed lambs grazing ryegrass/white clover,  intermediate in the dosed lambs grazing sulla and in undosed lambs grazing  ryegrass/white clover, and lowest in the undosed lambs grazing sulla.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Williamson JF and Morris ST and Harvey TG}
}
@conference {40444,
	title = {Herbage allowance - intake - production relationships in continuously stocked winter- and spring-lambing ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {11-14},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The potential of by-products from fruit and vegetable growers and processors to serve as supplementary feeds for dairy cows in the Hawkes Bay region, which traditionally experiences poor summer pasture growth, was assessed. A total of 75 000 tonnes (wet matter) of by- products were produced by the six growers and processors surveyed, mainly between January and June. Peak by-product output occurred in April when an estimated 15,000 tonnes of wet matter was produced. Industry disposal costs ranged from $10 to $33/tonne wet matter. The metabolisable energy values (MJ ME/kg DM) of by-products were at least equivalent to those of high quality spring pasture (e.g. carrot 11.3, apple pomace 13.7), but nitrogen levels (\% in DM) were low compared to those recorded in pasture (e.g. corn 1.0\%, apple pomace 1.9\%). A linear programming analysis of a Hawkes Bay dairy farm indicated that farmers could afford to pay up to 15.5 cents/kg DM for additional feed from May to October and 26.7 cent/s kg DM during the remainder of the year if milkfat prices were $6/kg. These shadow values indicate the maximum price that could be paid for transport and feeding costs for by-products on the model farm.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris ST and Parker WJ and Burnham DL and Reynolds GW and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40439,
	title = {The effect of sward surface height on ingestive behaviour and intake of once-bred and non-pregnant heifers under continuous stocking management in early winter},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {307-310},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Damage to soils and pastures in early Spring is a significant factor reducing pasture growth, feed utilisation and animal production on NZ dairy farms. Farmers have sought and may have found a management solution to this problem. It involves the early removal of dairy cows from pasture, after a period of grazing that is sufficient to meet the dry-matter intake needs of the cows. For example the colostrum herd might graze on pasture only at night, and spend the period between morning and afternoon milkings on the cowshed yard. The main herd will be on pasture during the daytime, but may be taken off pasture at 9.00 after 3 to 4 hours grazing, and stood on the cowshed yard until morning milking. This limits the extent of treading and reduced damage to soils and pasture, allowing the farm to sustain higher pasture growth rates, maintain a higher average pasture cover and achieve a longer first rotation. Dairy farmers have found they can stand lactating dairy cows without special facilities and without the need for supplementary feed provided certain conditions are met. The best place to stand cows from farmers experience is on the cowsheds concrete yard. Cows are used to standing there and the concrete is cleaned daily of stones, so risk of stone bruising to hooves is minimal. While space on the yard is limited, few cows lie down on the concrete. The close contact means they keep each other warm, and they may be less exposed to weather than in the paddock. There appears to be no detrimental effect on daily per cow production from this treatment and production data will present to illustrate this.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Inwood PR and Morris ST and Parker WJ and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40417,
	title = {A modelling study of the productivity and profitability of unmated and mated ewes on North Island hill country},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {221-224},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Five groups (15-30) of Romney or Merino ewes were synchronised  with CIDR devices for 12 days in March or April. In all but one group  of Romney ewes 400IU PMSG was injected at CIDR removal. Intervals to  onset of oestrus and ovulation were determined by recording crayon marks  and laparoscopy respectively every 4 hours. Interval to ovulation was  not affected by ewe breed or month of treatment, but it was 7.9 hours  earlier in ewes injected with PMSG (48.9h vs 56.8h P<0.001) and the  variance was less (13.4h vs 35.7h P<0.05). Interval to oestrus was  affected by breed of ewe, date of synchronisation and use of PMSG.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parker WJ and Gray DI and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40347,
	title = {A modelling study of once-bred heifer beef production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {389-394},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Sixteen cows were randomly allocated tot he two treatment  groups; one was given high digestibility hay (57\% DMD and the other low  digestibility hay (52\% DMD). Hay was available to appetite during the  daytime, while the cows grazed on a common pasture allowance (12 kg DM  per cow) at night.   Cows offered high digestibility hay ate more hay (P<0.01) but less  pasture (P<0.05) than those on the low digestibility hay. Pasture  intake was reduced by 0.2kg DM for each increase of 1 kg DM eaten as  high digestibility hay.   Cows offered the high digestibility hay ate more hay (P<0.01) but less  pasture (P<0.05) than those on the low digestibility hay. Pasture  intake was reduced by 0.2 kg DM for each increase of 1 kg DM eaten as  high digestibility hay.   Cows offered the high digestibility hay produced slightly more milk than  those on the low digestibility hay. This difference average 1.3 L per  cow daily, but was significant only in week 1. The composition of milk  did not differ between the two groups. The cows offered the high  digestibility hay also gained significantly more liveweight.   The data show that the quality of supplementary hay has an effect on  milk production, but that the effect is smaller than might have been  predicted because of the increased substitution of hay eaten instead of  pasture by cows given the higher quality hay and because of increased  liveweight gain by these cows. The probable economic value of high  digestibility supplement is discussed briefly.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Keeling PCB and Morris ST and Gray DI and Parker WJ}
}
@conference {40359,
	title = {Optimization of {\textquoteright}herd-in-calf rate{\textquoteright} with respect to the length of the postpartum anoestrous period in Angus cows suckling calves},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {459-464},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A trial was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the  CIDR-B in buffalo. Twenty four, 20 month old buffalo heifers had CIDR{\textquoteright}s  inserted (day 0) for 12 days. Each heifer was injected intramuscularly  with 10 mg of oestradiol benzoate at CIDR insertion and 150 IU of PMSG  at CIDR removal. Two buffalo bulls fitted with chin ball harnesses were  introduced into each of 2 groups of 12 heifers. Continuous observations  of mating activity commenced 24 hours after CIDR withdrawal. The  heifers were bled for progesterone analysis on days -20, -9, 0, 2, 7, 12  and 26.9 CIDR{\textquoteright}s (38\%) lost from the heifers were replaced immediately  after the losses were noticed. The mean interval from CIDR removal to  onset of mating activity was 50.3},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pleasants AB and Barton RA and Morris ST and Anderson WJ}
}
@conference {40255,
	title = {Intraruminal chromium controlled release capsules for measuring herbage intake in ruminants - a review},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {437-442},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {No abstract supplied   },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parker WJ and Morris ST and Garrick DJ and Vincent GL and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {39992,
	title = {Consideration of alternative lamb drafting strategies},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {46},
	year = {1986},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {49-54},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The saleable meat, bone and trimmed fat content was measured on the sides of 643 steer, 273 heifer and 1086 bull carcasses. Saleable meat yield declined from approximately 70\% in grade M to 59\% in grade T for steers and heifers, while fat trim increased from approximately 8\% in grade M to 25\% in grade T. Carcass saleable meat yield in bulls was almost constant (72.6 },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Garrick DJ and Purchas RW and Morris ST}
}
