Oral Presentations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7660
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Item Facilitating vertical integration of knowledge from animal physiology to farm system level(2012) Matthew C; Parkinson T; Kemp PWe describe a teaching methodology evolved over 25 years for taking incoming students with little farming background to near-consultancy level in terms of ability to discuss feed supply and demand manipulation with practicing farmers. The methodology is currently used in a double semester course offering to 2nd year BVSc students at Massey University with positive feedback from students. Component skills such as visual assessment of herbage mass are introduced at the outset. A keystone of the methodology is the provision of student operated 'farmlets' with 16 sheep on 0.8 ha, where the storage of autumn-surplus feed as increased herbage mass, and release back to animals for winter and early lactation feed is demonstrated. Feed budget calculations for these farmlets in units of MJ metabolisable energy and kg pasture DM/ha/ day promote understanding of animal physiology principles and simulate those of a larger scale commercial farm. As currently offered the module comprises 20 lectures and 5 organised 2 hour farmlet discussion and data collection visits. Students complete additional farmlet work in their own time, such as moving or weighing sheep. Two written assignments promote integration of component knowledge and ownership of that information by participants.Item Observations on the role of endophyte in field performance of ryegrass and tall fescue in New ZealandMatthew CPresented to: breakout meeting of the China/JapanKorea Grassland Association: “International Symposium on Forage Disease and Grassland Management” held at College of pastoral Agriculture, Science & Technology, Lanzhou UnivesityItem Agronomy soundbites(Intelact Annual Conference) Matthew CResiduals Pasture persistence Clover % Endophytes Sowing rates for new grass Progibb Less N Climate change N-retention High sugar grasses / herbsItem EMERGING INFORMATION ON AGRONOMIC TRAITS CONTRIBUTING TO DROUGHT RESISTANCE IN PERENNIAL RYEGRASS AND TALL FESCUE(New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences) Matthew C; Ryan, MWe overview results from experiments conducted at Massey University to better define the agronomic basis of drought resistance in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Average November-to-April moisture deficit at Palmerston North was estimated as equivalent to 258 mm rainfall. In contrast, breeding for a 10 cm increase in root depth was predicted to provide the equivalent of 16 mm additional rainfall. Breeding for increased water use efficiency is also a possibility but such gains are also not expected to eliminate summer moisture deficit in the average year. In general germplasm of North African origin exhibited deeper rooting and reduced leaf extension rate in summer, but paradoxically increased stomatal conductance compared to germplasm originating from Europe. In one experiment some plants unwatered for 90 days remained green but we are uncertain as to the basis of this response. Measurement of gravimetric soil moisture content (GSMC) at approximately 30 cm depth was found to be informative, often more so than more sophisticated measurements like leaf water potential. With respect to current commercial cultivars of perennial ryegrass, we found evidence of variation in water use efficiency (greater plant weight associated with higher GSMC) between individual plants of Grasslands Samson, meaning that selection for this trait could be rewarding. A cultivar we examined that incorporated Spanish germplasm also exhibited similar evidence of high water use efficiency. We found evidence that Neotyphodium endophyte can improve leaf hydration in perennial ryegrass in moderate drought stress.Item Practical Feed EstimationMatthew CMeasuring machines Why farmers measure cover; Ways to measure cover (Plate / Probe / Visual / CDAX); Controlling variability. Practical feed estimation Intake estimation from pre- and post grazing mass; Supplementary matters: rotation length vs animal intake, pasture growth, & pasture quality.Item Difference in measuring machines & practical feed estimationMatthew C2 hour session for Zoetis refresher course for practicing veterinarians.Item Workshop on Publication PreparationMatthew C; Millner; WoodItem Confessions of a University LecturerMatthew C
