Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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    Preferences in traits and management characteristics for dairy-beef animals from a survey of New Zealand farmers
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2025-05-19) Sneddon NW; Corner-Thomas RA; Kenyon PR; Brier D
    There are three parties involved in the expansion of dairy-beef or beef-on-dairy within New Zealand, they are namely, beef breeders, dairy farmers and beef finishers. Within these three groups, there are different requirements for an animal within each those industries. In 2022, Beef + Lamb New Zealand conducted a survey to collect responses from 121 respondents across these 3 parties, to gauge farmer preferences. The survey contained questions relating to the management of young cattle from birth through to weaning or sale (depending on management practice), and then from weaning or purchase through to finishing. All farmers were asked what traits they selected for in bulls, and what they based purchasing decisions on. The results showed a series of trends, related to breed choice, price and perceived benefit to their farming system. Calves from dairy cattle that had some Jersey genetics were seen as a finishing risk and were less attractive to finishing operations. There appeared to be a disconnect between the preferences of dairy and beef finishing operations, with sire selection having opposite selection criteria. The results of this survey indicate that work needs to be taken to align the goals of both beef finishers and dairy farmers.
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    Wool shedding and lamb fleece weights: first-cross and backcross Wiltshire–Romney sheep scored at lamb, hogget and two-tooth ages
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-05-03) Sneddon NW; Handcock RC; Corner-Thomas RA; Kenyon PR; Burnham DL; Garrick DJ; Littlejohn MD; Blair HT; Morris ST
    With decreasing wool values, interest is increasing regarding shedding sheep. To investigate this, two long-term studies introducing Wiltshire genes into Romney flocks were initiated. Data from these two studies provide phenotypic relationships between a range of shedding scores at different ages. The data included shedding scores (on a 0–5 scale) repeated on lambs (∼5 months), hoggets (∼14–18 months) and two-tooths (∼27 months), and lamb fleece weights. Positive relationships between shedding scores on the same animals were observed. Lamb fleece weight was negatively correlated with all shedding scores. Lamb shedding score in February had a correlation of 0.54 (P < 0.001) with the February score as a hogget at Riverside farm. Scoring wool shedding is a laborious activity requiring individual animals to be scored in the shearing position. Therefore, lamb fleece weight was investigated for its relationship with shedding scores, as a potentially easier alternative. Lamb fleece weight had a greater correlation with February hogget shedding score than with the lamb shedding score (−0.76 vs −0.52, P < 0.001). This study indicated that February scores are an accurate predictor of future shedding phenotypes, and when used in conjunction with fleece weight, are a good predictor of phenotypes expressed at later ages.