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    Review of the New Zealand Theileria orientalis Ikeda Type Epidemic and Epidemiological Research since 2012.
    (19/10/2021) Lawrence K; Gedye K; McFadden A; Pulford D; Heath A; Pomroy W
    This article sets out to document and summarise the New Zealand epidemic and the epidemiological research conducted on the epizootic of bovine anaemia associated with Theileria orientalis Ikeda type infection, which began in New Zealand in August 2012. As New Zealand has no other pathogenic tick-borne cattle haemoparasites, the effects of the T. orientalis Ikeda type infection observed in affected herds and individual animals were not confounded by other concurrent haemoparasite infections, as was possibly the case in other countries. This has resulted in an unbiased perspective of a new disease. In addition, as both New Zealand's beef and dairy cattle systems are seasonally based, this has led to a different epidemiological presentation than that reported by almost all other affected countries. Having verified the establishment of a new disease and identified the associated pathogen, the remaining key requirements of an epidemiological investigation, for a disease affecting production animals, are to describe how the disease spreads, describe the likely impacts of that disease at the individual and herd level and explore methods of disease control or mitigation.
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    The profitability of beef production on some New Zealand sheep farms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Farm Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1971) Lowe, Kevin I.
    New Zealand sheep farmers are currently receiving product prices which, when considered in relation to their farm costs, are the lowest they have been for many years. Wool prices appear unlikely to recover to levels experienced ten years ago and many sheep farmers are still relying on wool as a major source of farm income. There is an increasing awareness that beef animals can no longer be regarded as aids to good sheep husbandry and instead, must make a direct contribution to farm income. The increasing acceptance of animals of dairy origin as beef-producers, and continued confidence in the long-term market for beef, have helped provide a climate for large-scale moves toward beef-production on many New Zealand sheep farms. As a consequence, there has been a rapid increase in demand for economic information on all aspects of beef production and particularly with relation to established sheep enterprises. It is intended that this thesis shoud go some way towards meeting this demand. [From Introduction]
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    A study of factors hindering increased production in the Rangitaiki Plains and in Galatea : thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Massey University
    (Massey University, 1968) Cronin, M B
    This chapter gives a brief outline of the purpose of this study of the Rangitaiki Plains and Galatea. The population of farms from which the survey sample was taken is defined, and a thesis guide is given. 1.2 The Purpose of the Survey Prior to this survey some farmers on the Rangitaiki Plains and in Galatea were making large increases in butterfat production by following a pattern of higher stocking rates, and increased rates of application of fertilizer, together with the required compl ementary inputs. It was noticed, however , by the district extension officers, and officials of the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Company that many other farmers were remaining static in production. This study consisted of a survey of 37 dairy farms selected from this district, and was aimed to firstly evaluate, both physically and financially, development projects on progr­essive farms, and secondly to investigate the factors which were hindering other farmers from increasing production, and to find ways of overcoming these problems. [From Introduction]
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    The organisation of dairy farming in the Waikato, New Zealand
    (1931) Stephens, Frank Burcon
    The present study is an attempt to combine a descriptive account of the technical and financial organisation of Waikato Dairy Farms with an analytical discussion of the factors affecting efficient butterfat production. Management is perhaps the greatest need in the Dairying Industry today. While there is evident a "Desire to know" how to overcome the present difficulties, there is still a great deal of attachment to the routine of habit and custom. This fact is frequently lost sight of and the popular descriptions of farming in New Zealand generally err by discussing farming practice in terms of the best farmers. In the present essay an attempt is made to discuss things as they are and to indicate, where possible, the lines on which advance is being made. [From Preface]
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    Pasture utilization in relation to New Zealand dairy farming : a thesis presented in part fulfilment of the requirements for the Animal Husbandry section of the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1949) McArthur, Alistair Thomas Giles
    The world shortage of food is the most serious crisis which faces mankind today. It is a crisis which has no earlier precedent and one for which remedial measures will be hard to find. The problem, first mentioned by Malthus in 1798, is one of limited food resources combined with an increasing world population. The basis of food production lies in the soil mantle of the world which is limited in extent and decreases yearly both in quantity and quality through the use of bad farming practices which lead to soil erosin. The present level of human nutrition throughout the world is far from adequate. In North .America and Australasia, the average daily consumption of calories per head is above 3000 but in the Middle East it is only 2400 while in the Far East it varies between 1700 and 2100, which is well below requirements (Fawcett (1948)). Not only are these people in need of more food energy but they also require more protein, minerals and vitamins. Livestock products are, of course, rich in these 'protective' foods and the expansion of livestock production will play an important part in raising the level of nut­rition of the world's population. [From Introduction]
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    An introduction to the study of skeletal correlations in the N.Z. Romney Marsh : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Animal Husbandry / by "Chirp"
    (Massey University, 1934) Chirp; Lamont, Norman
    When this work was undertaken it was quite impossible to have anticipated the difficulties that were encountered. It soon became apparent however, that the approach to a new study involved a great deal of work of a collateral nature, having little direct bearing on the actual object of the investigation. In particular it was necessary to become generally familiar with certain branches of statistical method and to become very fully acquainted with the real signigifance of certain mathematical devices. Statistical studies consumed the greater proportion of the time available for this work with the result that only a portion of the information contained in the data could be extracted. Indeed, a complete analysis of the data collected and recorded, using the methods evolved in this paper, would itself involve many months' work. However, since the development of the analytical methodology has no direct bearing on the subject of skeletal correlations the paper has been divided into two parts. Part 1 deals with the measurements made and the interpretation and discussion of the correlation coefficients that were calculated. In Part 11 has been collected, all those considerations which were essentially incidental to the investigation - that is, selection of material technique of measuring etc. and in particular, the discovery of appropriate analytical devices for treating the data. [From Foreword]
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    Persistency in crested dogstail : its relation to origin, flowering date, seed colour and germination capacity of New Zealand seed samples : thesis for M. Agr. Sc., by "Asteroid" [F. Sydenham]
    (Massey University, 1932) Asteroid
    Crested dogstail is a valuable pasture grass, and is sown under a wide range of soil conditions. It is essentially a bottom grass. It is very palatable to sheep and thrives well under conditions of continous close grazing. It does not, however, feature to any large extent in dairying land. It shows very great powers of re-establishment by seeding even under adverse seed-bed conditions, and it is this re-establishment which enables it to persist in a pasture for a number of years. Such re-establishment should not occur each Autumn after the plants have seeded and died or are so low in vitality that they remain only as worthless vestiges. This is a weakness of crested dogstail which it is desirable to eliminate. What it requires is a vigorous turf which will, on the advent of Autumn rains, spring into a highly productive sward vigorous enough to check any inferior grasses or weeds which may attempt to gain a footing. [From Introduction]
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    An attempt to manufacture Cheddar cheese containing only one type of organism : thesis for the degree of M. Agr. Sc. (in Dairy Science) at the University of New Zealand, by Ascend
    (Massey University, 1931) Neil, William C.; Ascend
    There have been many investigations on the effect of various bacteria on the ripening of hard rennet varieties of cheese. Hucker (1922) in a review of the bacteriological aspects of cheese ripening summaries the position as follows: "As it stands to-day the investigations have closely demonstrated that the breaking down of the insoluble casein compounds is due to enzymes, either natural or bacterial; while characteristic flavors are produced by the action of certain groups of bacteria. (Bacterium casei or coccus group), which depend on the products of B. lactis acidi present in large numbers during the manufature and early ripening stages." The effect of lactic acid bacteria upon the flavour of Cheddar cheese has been studied by Hastings, Evans and Hart (1912), Evans, Hastings and Hart (1914), Evans (1918). Leitch (1923) and Hucker and Marquardt (1926). [From Introduction]
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    Commercial orcharding in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts and Honours in Geography at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1957) Fielding, G. J
    In recent years commercial orcharding in New Zealand has assumed a new form. Fruit exports are growing year by year and orchard production has become concentrated within certain districts. Alongside this change, and in part responsible for it, has been the formation of grower organizations. Indeed, New Zealanders are fast becoming aware that there is a fruit industry developing in this coutry which, even though limited in prospects, will be a worth-while contributor to our primary production. It is with the view of providing an accurate picture of the present character of the industry that this thesis is presented. The purpose of this investigation will be achieved if it helps to give a broad view of the industry as it differs from place to place, and if it succeeds in inducing those interested in the industry to undertake a systematic stocktaking and review of the elements which underlie these differences before embarking on any scheme of future development. [From Introduction]
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    A study of the yields of various species of pasture plants, and some of their strains, when growing in a soil brought to various levels of hydrogen-ion concentration : thesis submitted for M. Agr. Sc. degree / by "548" [A.J. McNeur]
    (Massey University, 1948) McNeur, Archibald James
    During the past few decades, our country, along with other important primary producers, has come to realise with increasing force the real importance of pasture production to mankind. In New Zealand over nine tenths of the value of our exports comes directly or indirectly from grasslands. This realisation has been reflected in the marked extension in research, not only towards the improvement of pasture species and strains, but also in an attempt to learn more of the conditions in the soil that are most ideal for maximum production. As a plant can produce only as much as its inherent potential and its external environment will allow, it becomes all workers to consider both sides of the question of maximum production. As a result of work done by the Grasslands Division of the Plant Research Bureau since its inception, strains of new pasture species have been developed which will produce very highly under conditions favourable to their growth. Thus if these strains are used in agriculture and maximum production is not obtained, managemental and environmental factors must be the limiting ones. Of the environmental factors, five claim pride of place where pasture production is concerned:- (a) Soil moisture (b) Soil and air temperature (c) Light intensity (d) Soil fertility (e) Soil acidity. In practice the first three factors are mainly dependent on climatic conditions, though by suitably controlled irrigation and drainage both soil moisture and soil temperature can be influenced and plant growth markedly increased. [From Introduction]