Conference Papers

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Author: search.filters.author.Morris ST

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    Investigation of causes of neonatal mortality in Bali cattle on Sumbawa Island
    (IOP Publishing, 2021-04-01) Sriasih M; Back PJ; Pomroy WE; Morris ST; Hickson RE; Dahlanuddin; Zaenuri LA; Soebari R; Kurniawan M; Qamar S
    There is a desire to increase cattle production on Sumbawa Island but anecdotal reports from farmers indicate that calf mortality can be high. The aim of this paper is to report the occurrence and common causes of calf mortality, as well as to determine if colostral antibody transfer is sufficient in new-born calves. Personal interviews were conducted with 27 farmers. Immunoglobulins were measured in neonatal calves (n=18) using the FASTest IgG Bovine kit. The presence of various pathogens was investigated in fecal samples from calves (n=12) with signs of diarrhea between 1-2 months of age using the FASTest D4T bovine kit and the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated using fecal floatation from pre-weaned calves (3 weeks-3 months of age; n=62). From the questionnaire calf losses ranged from 10-27%, with most losses occurring in older calves. Only one of the 18 calves demonstrated an insufficient concentration of IgG in serum, indicating the possibility of failure of passive transfer from the dam. Of the samples tested from scouring calves, 7 out of 12 samples tested positive for one of the microorganisms causing general diarrhoea in calves. A range of different gastrointestinal nematode parasites were found although very few coccidial oocysts were seen. The results of these studies indicate that calf mortality is high and will be a limitation on the production of beef cattle for slaughter in the Dompu region of Sumbawa Island. Further investigation is required to determine which pathogens are the cause of this calf loss.
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    A review of the use of chicory plantain red clover and white clover in a sward mix for increased sheep and beef production
    (NZ Grassland Association, 2015) Cranston LM; Kenyon PR; Morris ST; Kemp PD
    Many farmers are sowing mixed swards containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) (hereafter termed herb and clover mix). This herb and clover mix has comparable annual dry matter (DM) production to perennial ryegrass white clover pasture (rye/wc), however, it has a different pattern of growth, producing more DM during summer and autumn. The herb and clover mix also has a higher nutritive value and is able to support greater rates of animal production, especially over summer, than rye/ wc in both sheep and cattle. The herb and clover mix is most suited to a rotational grazing interval of 3–4 weeks to an 8 cm residual height, with no winter grazing. When managed appropriately the herb and clover mix is able to persist for at least 2 years and up to 5 years under both sheep and cattle grazing.
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    Days to calving and intercalving interval in beef and dairy-beef crossbred cows
    Morris ST; Hickson RE; Martin NP; Kenyon PR
    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. An alternative reproductive performance measure to intercalving interval, and favoured in naturally mated beefcow herds, is days to calving, that is defined as the number of days from the start of joining to the day of calving. Days to calving has become the standard fertility trait for genetic evaluation (Meyer et al. 1990; 1991; Johnston & Bunter 1996). A study was conducted to investigate the effects of breed group, year of calving and conception cycle on intercalving intervals and days to calving in straight-bred Angus and Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross cows from first mating as heifers through to their sixth calving.