@article {3672, title = {Effect of breed on bone morphology in the distal metacarpus epiphysis of mature Angus and Angus crossbred cows}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {82}, year = {2022}, month = {01/2022}, pages = {82-87}, address = {Online}, abstract = {There are variations in stature between beef and dairy breeds (and their crosses) which are an indirect result of genetic selection and farm management for different production objectives. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of breed on bone morphology in the distal epiphysis of the metacarpus. The metacarpus was collected from 9.5-year-old Angus (AA), Angus-Friesian crossbred (AF), Angus-Jersey crossbred (AJ) and Angus- (Friesian cross Jersey) crossbred (AK) cows. Bone morphology in the epiphysis was assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for the medial and lateral condyles of the epiphysis 7 mm from the distal metacarpus. The greater total bone cross-sectional area of AA and AF could be associated with minimising strain on the articulating surface of the metacarpus due to greater joint surface area. Therefore, the greater total bone cross-sectional area may be an indirect result of a greater level of muscularity in beef breeds with a heavier mature weight.}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Gibson MJ and Hickson RE and Dittmer KE and Back PJ and Schreurs NM and Rogers CW} } @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 = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Carcass characteristics and meat quality of early, mid- and late-season commercial lambs}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {79}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, pages = {80-83}, address = {Palmerston North}, abstract = {Comparisons were made of carcass and meat quality characteristics of three groups of wether lambs (n=15/group): a composite breed slaughtered at weaning (EARLY), and at 6-8 months of age (MID) and Merino lambs slaughtered at 12 months of age (LATE). Carcass weight and eye muscle area were measured and meat quality was measured on the Longissimus thoracis (loin). All lambs had similar carcass weights (18.7-19.0 kg; P>0.05). Meat from LATE lambs had higher ultimate pH and intramuscular fat \% (P<0.001) than EARLY and MID lambs. Loins from EARLY lambs had lower Chroma (P<0.01), higher eye muscle area (P<0.001) and shear force (P<0.05) and greater percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<0.001) than loins from MID and LATE lambs. Although statistical differences were observed in meat quality measurements, differences in absolute values suggest that the three production systems resulted in minor variation in meat quality.}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Ye Y and Schreurs NM and PL Johnson and Corner-Thomas RA and Agnew MP and Silcock P and Eyres GT and Maclennan G and Realini CE} } @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: Effect of pre-weaning milk allowance on post-weaning behaviour of heifer calves on pasture}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {79}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, pages = {84-86}, address = {Palmerston North}, abstract = {The objective of this study was to assess how pre-weaning milk allowance influences the grazing and rumination behaviour of dairy heifers on pasture after weaning. Group-housed heifer calves (n=28) were fed milk replacer at a low-allowance (LA; 10\% of initial live weight), high-allowance (HA; 20\% of initial live weight), and ad-libitum (ADLIB; free access) until 93 days of age. Heifers were then given access to pasture at 100 days of age, and were observed at 101, 108, 122 and 127 days of age. At 101 days of age, LA calves spent more time ruminating than HA and ADLIB calves, and spent less time grazing than HA calves (P<0.05). The time spent on each activity in subsequent weeks was the same among treatments. This indicates that any differences in foraging and rumination behaviour caused by pre-weaning milk allowance disappeared within a few weeks after weaning. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Groenendijk ME and Lowe K and Schreurs NM and Khan MA} } @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 = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Relative cost of producing carcasses from dairy-origin steers slaughtered at 8 {\textendash} 12 months of age in New Zealand}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {79}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, pages = {153-155}, 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 = {Hunt JJ and Tozer PR and Kenyon PR and Schreurs NM and Pike SJ and Hickson RE and Blair HT and Garrick DJ} } @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 = {Growth performance of crossbred dairy calves fed different milk allowances using an automatic feeding system}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {78}, year = {2018}, month = {07/2018}, pages = {21-25}, address = {Lincoln}, abstract = {The impact of feeding different levels of milk replacer via automated feeders on intake and growth was assessed in calves. Heifer calves (Holstein {\texttimes} Jersey; n=198; 11{\textpm}4 days old) were randomly allocated to low-allowance (LA; n=67; calves were fed milk replacer at 10\% of initial live weight), high-allowance (HA; n=65; calves were fed milk replacer at 20\% of initial live weight), and ad-libitum (ADLIB; n=66; calves were given ad libitum access to milk replacer). Pelleted calf starter was provided ad libitum and daily individual intake of milk replacer and calf starter was measured via automated feeders. Calves were gradually weaned from 69{\textpm}2 days over 14 days. Average daily weight gain during pre-weaning was the highest (P<0.05) for ADLIB (0.69{\textpm}0.02 kg/ day), followed by HA (0.61{\textpm}0.02 kg/day) and LA (0.54{\textpm}0.02 kg/day) calves. Calf starter intake was the lowest (P<0.05) in ADLIB calves followed by HA and LA calves. The ADLIB calves had the lowest (P<0.05) calf starter intake during the week after milk weaning but it did not affect the live weight of calves. In conclusion, provision of more milk promoted pre-weaning growth, and restricted milk feeding to trigger solid feed intake failed to match that growth advantage.}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Groenendijk ME and Lowe K and Schreurs NM and Molenaar AJ and McCoard SA and Luo D and Khan MA} } @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} } @article {3672, title = {PRESIDENTS ADDRESS 2018: Moving the cheese}, journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production}, volume = {78}, year = {2018}, month = {07/2018}, pages = {212-213}, address = {Lincoln}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM} } @conference {3672, title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Assessing the current value of milk, meat and fibre products from the goat industry in New Zealand}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {77}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {173-176}, address = {Rotorua}, abstract = {Goats have a historical record of being productive and valuable to families and communities (Aziz 2010). Small ruminants, which include goats, still have an {\textquoteleft}unfulfilled{\textquoteright} potential despite the numbers of animals farmed and their distribution around the world (Anaeto et al. 2010). Pollot and Wilson (2009) concluded that goats deserve greater attention due to their capacity for producing food. A similar study in New Zealand (Sheppard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell 1979), described the uses of goats for meat, skins, milk and mohair and concluded that the goat was valuable, but that the production potential was largely unfulfilled. A recent New Zealand study (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2009) concluded that food-consumption patterns are changing in New Zealand, and globally demand for more diversified products provided an opportunity for goat meat. The objective of this study was to determine the current value of domestic and exported New Zealand goat products and to explore possible future products and their target markets. Many of these product values are gathered from retailers, personal communications and individual producers. This research is an attempt to bring together information that has not yet been gathered to present a current value of the goat in New Zealand...}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Lopez-Lozano SR and Scholtens MR and Smith RMC and Lopez-Villalobos N and Burt D and Harper L and Thomas DG and Carr AJ and Gray DI and Tozer P and Schreurs NM} } @conference {3672, title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The current state of the New Zealand goat industry}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {77}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {164-168}, address = {Rotorua}, abstract = {

Goat farming in New Zealand has a lower profile compared to dairy, sheep and beef systems. The goat industry is small in New Zealand (Stafford \& Prosser, 2016) and there has been limited consideration of the potential for the industry to expand (Shepard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell, 1979). The environmental and commodity market constraints currently impacting pastoral systems in New Zealand provide an opportunity for the goat industry to have a greater economic contribution to New Zealand{\textquoteright}s agricultural production.

In New Zealand, goats are farmed for milk, meat and fibre production and also act as a mechanism for controlling excess pasture growth, enhancing clover in mixed pasture and controlling weeds (Batten, 2014). The aim of this paper was to present an overview of the goat industry to provide background knowledge for consideration when deciding the direction of the goat industries in New Zealand. As part of the overview, farmers, processors and industry bodies were contacted to obtain an estimate of the number and location of goats farmed in New Zealand. Although some of the sources of information for the goat industry are not perfect, this research is an attempt to bring together information that has not been consolidated in nearly 40 years (Shepard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell, 1979) and was achieved as part of a three-part study with companion papers being produced (Lopez-Lozano et al. 2017; Smith et al. 2017). Information from this study were used in conjunction with the value of the goat industry (Lopez-Lozano et al. 2017) to project the potential of the New Zealand goat industry (Smith et al. 2017).

}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Scholtens MR and Smith RMC and Lopez-Lozano SR and Lopez-Villalobos N and Burt D and Harper L and Tuohy M and Thomas DG and Carr AJ and Gray DI and Tozer P and Schreurs NM} } @conference {3672, title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The potential of the New Zealand goat industry}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {77}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {169-172}, address = {Rotorua}, abstract = {The New Zealand goat industry is evolving and there is potential for expansion of its export products. The production and value of the New Zealand goat industry has been explored previously when the industry was in its infancy (Sheppard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell 1979), at a time when Mohair production was seen to be {\textquoteleft}the most profitable goat farming enterprise{\textquoteright}. Since then major expansion has occurred in the production and export of dairy-goat products, and the production of quality Boer goat meat is under consideration. In order for further progress to be made, knowledge of the current production levels and value of the goat industry, and its potential for expansion is required. Using information describing the current situation of the goat industry (Scholtens et al. 2017) and the value of the goat (Lopez-Lozano et al. 2017), a model was created to estimate the current and potential production and value of the New Zealand goat industry by 2025. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Smith RMC and Scholtens MR and Lopez-Lozano SR and Lopez-Villalobos N and Burt D and Harper L and Thomas D and Carr A and Gray D and Tozer P and Schreurs NM} } @conference {3672, title = {Effect of slaughter age between 5 to 14 months of age on the quality of sheep meat}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {77}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, pages = {177-180}, address = {Rotorua}, abstract = {Pasture-raised lamb is considered the highest-quality sheep meat product while hogget is a downgraded product considered to be of poorer quality. This experiment aimed to investigate the difference in meat quality between sheep slaughtered at 5, 8 and 14 months of age. Objective meat quality was measured on the loin of young Romney rams slaughtered at 5 (n=20), 8 (n=20) and 14 (n=20) months old. The loin meat from 14-month-old sheep was redder (P<0.001), yellower (P<0.001) with higher intramuscular fat (P=0.003) and had a shorter sarcomere length (P<0.001) compared to the meat from lambs slaughtered at 5 and 8 months of age. The peak shear force was highest at 8 months (P<0.001). Meat from sheep slaughtered at 8 months had greater drip loss than those at 5 and 14 months (P<0.01). The results suggest that slaughtering sheep at 14 months could have benefits on eating quality due to an increase in intramuscular fat. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Mashelea GA and Parker ME and Schreurs NM} } @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 {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 {89222, title = {Comparison of castrate and entire ram-lambs for meat quality and skatole in the fat}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {73}, year = {2013}, month = {Jan}, pages = {68-70}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Hamilton}, abstract = {

Ram lambs are favoured in sheep production systems for their faster growth rates compared to ewe, castrate and cryptorchid lambs (Fisher et al.2010). The meat from ram lambs has been associated with poorer tenderness and colour characteristics when compared to the meat from ewe lambs of the same breed (Johnson et al. 2005; Craigie et al. 2012) but, the results across studies are inconsistent with some studies reporting no difference in meat quality between the sexes (Navajas et al. 2008, Kerslake et al. 2012). In a study by Rousset-Akrim et al. (1997), seven-month old male lambs had undesirable meat quality characteristics compared to three-month old male lambs suggesting that age of the lambs and the attainment of puberty are likely to influence the meat quality when comparing between sex classes.

}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM} } @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 = {

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.

}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM and Kenyon PR and Morris ST and Blair HT and Somasiri SC and Kemp PD} } @conference {69526, title = {Condensed tannins for priming innate immunity}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {70}, year = {2010}, month = {Jun}, pages = {288-290}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Palmerston North}, abstract = {The immune system of sheep, cattle and other ruminants contains unusually large numbers of gamma-delta () T lymphocytes. In lambs and calves, these cells may comprise more than 50\% of the T cells circulating in blood while in rodents and primates, they typically account for less than 5\% of blood-borne T cells. The T cells localise within mucosal surfaces of all species, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Compared to their rodent and human counterparts, ruminant T cells have a greatly expanded repertoire of antigen receptors (Hein \& Dudler, 1993, 1997). They also express unique accessory molecules in their cell membrane which may reflect a differential capacity of the ruminant T cells to contribute to immune defence (Hein \& Mackay, 1991).}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM and Pernthaner A and Hein WR and Barry TN} } @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 {69524, title = {The efficacy of a herbal drench treatment on internal parasites in lambs}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {70}, year = {2010}, month = {Jun}, pages = {283-284}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Palmerston North}, abstract = {Internal parasites reduce live weight gains and are a cause of diarrhoea in growing lambs (Macchi et al., 2001). A challenge to organic sheep production is the control of internal parasites without intervention using synthetic chemicals. Whilst in conventional sheep production systems anthelmintic resistance to synthetic chemicals is increasing (Pomroy, 2006). The development of an effective herbal worm drench that can be commercialised will allow the organic sheep sector to develop and may offer an alternative for conventional systems.}, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Hutton P and Scott I and Schreurs NM and West DM} } @conference {41913, title = {Increased hepatic skatole exposure via rumen infusion increases skatole concentration in peripheral circulation and inter-muscular fat in sheep}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {66}, year = {2006}, month = {Jan}, pages = {295-299}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Napier}, abstract = {Skatole meat taint is unique to pastoral systems where high forage digestibility results in tryptophanderived skatole production at rates that exceed the clearance capacity of the liver. We hypothesise that under conditions of minimal endogenous skatole production (diet low in rumen degradable protein) a continuous rumen infusion of skatole will elevate hepatic exposure and modify tissue skatole metabolism. A 72 hour rumen infusion of skatole (140 mg/h; n = 6) dissolved in propane-1,2-diol (PD) or PD media alone (n = 6) was performed. Samples of rumen fluid and blood were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours for determination of skatole concentration. Infusion of skatole increased (P < 0.01) levels of skatole in rumen fluid (21 {\textmu}g/g), peripheral plasma (154 ng/ml) and inter-muscular fat (4240 ng/g). A two-compartment model was fitted to the rumen and plasma skatole concentration of treated sheep to estimate the rate of transfer from rumen to peripheral plasma (k = 0.23 {\textpm} 0.03/h) and the rate of elimination from peripheral circulation (k = 2.10 {\textpm} 0.56/h). A negative correlation (P < 0.05) between the rate of elimination and level of skatole deposition in inter-muscular fat was also found. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Deighton MH and Pacheco D and Tavendale MH and Schreurs NM and Peters JS and McNabb WC and Roy NC} } @conference {41505, title = {Formation and excretion of phenol flavour compounds in sheep}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {64}, year = {2004}, month = {Jan}, pages = {203-207}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Hamilton}, abstract = {Rumen, plasma and urinary concentration of the undesirable phenol flavour compound 4-methylphenol was measured in two rumen-fistulated Romney wethers fed perennial ryegrass. Following a one week adaptation period, samples were collected at ca. 1 hr intervals after feeding on two sampling days one week apart. Maximal concentration of 4-methylphenol in the rumen, blood and urine was reached at ca. 2, 3, and 4.5 hr respectively, declining to a minimal concentration by 9 hr (15\% of maximum), 11 hr (16\%), and 18 hr (<1\%) respectively. Thus phenol compounds formed in the rumen are cleared rapidly and efficiently by excretion into the urine. In a separate trial the absorption and excretion of the exogenous phenol, thymol, was measured. Four groups of 4 lambs grazed on pasture were dosed daily with either a control or 3 different levels of thyme slurry for two weeks. After one week of dosing spot urine samples were collected on two consecutive days. Upon completion of the two week dosing period the animals were slaughtered and subcutaneous fat samples collected. The concentration of thymol (conjugates) in the urine was highly correlated with the thyme dosage (r=0.848, P<0.001), but there was no significant correlation between dose level and the concentration of (free) thymol in the fat. These results suggest that the concentration of phenol flavour compounds in ruminant products is affected by the efficiency of conjugation and excretion as much as by their formation in the rumen. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Fraser K and Lane GA and Schreurs NM and Tavendale MH and Keogh RG and Kirk MR and McNabb WC} } @conference {41401, title = {Effects of different forages on phenol and methylphenol formation in the rumen of sheep}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {63}, year = {2003}, month = {Jan}, pages = {40-44}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Queenstown}, abstract = {Rumen concentrations of the undesirable phenol flavour compounds 4-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and phenol, were measured in pooled samples from six rumen-fistulated Romney wethers. Samples were collected at approximately 1 hr intervals for 8 hr after feeding white clover (WC), perennial ryegrass (PRG), or Lotus corniculatus (LC). For all three phenols, the time-course curves for the rumen concentration differed significantly between the three diets (P<0.001) with wide differences in maximum concentrations. For 4-methylphenol, concentrations normalised to crude protein intake (CPI) were very similar. Concentrations of phenol normalised to CPI were very similar for PRG and WC diets but much lower for the LC diet. No 3-methylphenol was detected in the rumen of WC-fed animals. For animals fed the PRG and LC diets, concentrations of 3-methylphenol normalised to acid detergent fibre intake were similar. Differences were also observed in the time to maximum concentration after the commencement of feeding, which was much shorter for 4-methylphenol and phenol (2-3.5 hr) than for 3-methylphenol (6 hr). This study established that feeding different forages resulted in differences in phenol metabolism in the rumen, and provides evidence that 4-methylphenol and 3-methylphenol derive from different dietary sources. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Fraser K and Lane GA and Schreurs NM and Tavendale MH and McNabb WC and Marotti DM} } @conference {41395, title = {Postprandial indole and skatole formation in the rumen when feeding white clover, perennial ryegrass and Lotus corniculatus}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {63}, year = {2003}, month = {Jan}, pages = {14-17}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Queenstown}, abstract = {In some international markets, meat and milk products from pasture-fed animals is associated with an undesirable pastoral flavour and odour. Sensory evaluation and chemical analysis of products has associated these flavours and odours with the presence of skatole and indole. Skatole and indole are formed in the rumen from the degradation of dietary protein. Condensed tannins (CT) have been shown to reduce protein degradation in the rumen and could reduce the formation of skatole and indole. This study investigated the concentrations of skatole and indole in the rumen of sheep after feeding white clover (WC), perennial ryegrass (PRG) and the CT forage, Lotus corniculatus (LC). Six rumen-fistulated Romney wethers were fed the cut forages and rumen contents sampled at intervals after the start of feeding. Feeding WC resulted in higher (P<0.05) peak concentrations of indole and skatole in the rumen per kilogram of crude protein eaten (CPI) compared to PRG and LC. There was a higher peak concentration of indole, but not skatole, in the rumen of sheep fed PRG compared to sheep fed LC (P<0.05). Feeding LC resulted in lower peak concentrations of skatole compared to feeding WC and lower peak concentrations of indole than when feeding WC or PRG. White clover in pastures may be a key factor of the high skatole and indole contents in meat and milk products obtained from pasture-based grazing systems. CT forages seem a likely solution to reducing ruminal skatole and indole formation. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM and Tavendale MH and Lane GA and Barry TN and Marotti DM and McNabb WC} } @conference {41334, title = {Effect of grazing undrenched weaner deer on chicory or perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture on gastrointestinal nemotode and lungworm viability}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {62}, year = {2002}, month = {Jan}, pages = {143-144}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, address = {Palmerston North}, abstract = {Internal parasites can reduce animal performance (Moss \& Vlassoff, 1993) and lungworm has been known to cause death in young deer (Mackintosh et al., 1984). Increasing numbers of drench resistant parasite populations being found on farms throughout New Zealand (Sangster, 1999) and pressure from consumers to reduce anthelmintic input for fear of residues in pastoral-based food products (Williams, 1997), signifies a need to find alternative methods of internal parasite control. Hoskin et al. (1999) found that undrenched weaner deer grazed on chicory did not have impaired growth rates and faecal egg counts were lower compared to similar animals grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures. This suggests that chicory has the potential to be used in farming systems to reduce the negative impact of internal parasites. This study looked at the viability of internal parasites that had travelled through the digestive tracts of deer grazing chicory (Cichorium intybus) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens)- dominant pasture. The hatching ability of gastrointestinal nematode eggs, the development of gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm larvae and the motility of L1 lungworm larvae were measured. The study also determined the effect of adding condensed tannins (CT), extracted from chicory, to rumen and abomasal fluid on L1 lungworm larval migration. CT are a group of phenolic secondary plant compounds found in chicory at concentrations of approximately, 4.2g/kgDM (Terrill et al., 1992). }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Schreurs NM and Molan AL and Lopez-Villalobos N and Barry TN and McNabb WC} }