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    The effects of Theileria orientalis Ikeda on bull fertility and libido : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Gibson, Michaela Jane
    Theileria orientalis is a blood-borne parasite that is prevalent in New Zealand and other countries. The recent emergence (2012) of Ikeda-type orientalis has resulted in an epidemic of bovine anaemia in both dairy and beef cattle herds. The disease is spread by Haemaphylis longnicornis which is prevalent in the majority of the North Island. The Ikeda type has been found to be more pathogenic than previously discovered types such as Chitose and Buffeli. Little is known about how Ikeda-type affects the reproductive performance of bulls. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effects of Theileria Ikeda on the fertility and libido of bulls. A group of 17 bulls were used in the experiment with 10 being infused with Theileria Ikeda-infected blood from two donor cows and the remaining 7 bulls used as controls. All 10 of the treatment bulls were successfully infected with Theileria and became clinically anaemic (Haematocrit below 24) between days 47 and 84 post transfusion. Semen and libido was tested every 2 weeks throughout the experiment. There was no observed change in wave motion score of semen between infected (7.51 ± 0.18) and control (7.08 ± 0.35) treatment groups (P=0.2935) along with no change in forward motion between infected (7.82 ± 0.16) and control (7.64± 0.2610) treatment groups (P=0.5579). The percentage of normal sperm (P=0.0032) was lower in the infected bulls (91.9 ± 0.05) compared to the control group (94.25 ± 0.06) although the density of sperm in an ejaculate (P=0.0044) was higher in infected bulls (1.45x1010 ± 6.88x106 sperm per mL) compared to control bulls (1.14x1010 ± 9.82x106 sperm per ml). Time to first mount (P=0.7374) and gap between first and second mount (P=0.2204) was not significantly different between infected and control groups. The number of mounts was similar between infected (2.33 ± 0.28) and control (2.36 ± 0.17) treatment groups (P= 0.9269) and there was no interaction with time (P=0.2221). However, there was a significant effect of treatment on order of service with infected bulls coming in to the yard later in the herd on day 55 and was statistically significant (P=0.02). In conclusion, changes in fertility occurred in infected bulls but were not drastic enough to indicate a decrease in overall fertility. The only measure of libido affected was order and it is unknown how this would affect pregnancy rates in a herd situation.
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    Financial analysis of MAFTech bull beef investment opportunity : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1989) Cowley, Anna Margaret
    MAFTech has established an investment opportunity whereby a nonfarming investor can provide the capital required to farm bull beef. The farmer and the investor share the returns from the investment, with the investor having a first charge over the proceeds received from the sale of the beef up to the amount of the initial capital injection. This type of investment scheme differs from more conventional form of investment. However, in order to compare this scheme with the more common forms of investment it is necessary to evaluate it to enable an optimal investment decision to be made. Hence the market for the production of bull beef is appraised. The risk involved in this investment is outlined and a sensitivity analysis to changes in price and weight conducted. Using this risk and return information a comparison with other investments is then made.
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    Influence of pre-slaughter holding time, growth path and castration on meat quality characteristics of beef M. Longissimus Thoracis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Animal Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Peachey, Bridget M
    The New Zealand Beef Industry has included among its research goals the need to enhance product consistency and consumer satisfaction. Identifying on-farm and post-slaughter techniques for producing quality meat will permit the delivery of a more consistent product. The objectives of this study were to examine the influence of castration, pre-slaughter holding time, and growth path on meat quality characteristics with emphasis on meat tenderness. Sixty male Hereford x Angus cattle were used, half of which were castrated at weaning. They were then ranked within their castration groups on their growth performance during a 100-day pretrial period. Of the 40 faster-growing animals, 20 were randomly selected to be slaughtered at 16-18 months of age at approximately 550 kg liveweight (the fast group; F) and the remaining 20 were managed in such a way that they reached the same liveweight as the slower-growing 20 animals (S) at 25 months of age (restricted group; R). Once at the abattoir half the animals were randomly selected within castration and growth path groups to be held for either 4 or 28 hours pre-slaughter. Measures of meat quality characteristics were made on a sample of the M. longissimus thoracis, of each animal that was removed soon after slaughter. The bulls produced meat with higher ultimate pH values (5.64 vs 5.46, P<0.001) and meat that was significantly tougher than steers as evaluated by MIRINZ peak force (6.6 vs 4.6 kg, P<0.001), and sensory toughness (6.10 vs 4.50, P<0.001), both before and after adjustment for differences in pH. Animals held for 4h pre-slaughter had tougher meat as measured by Instron compression maximum load (92.8 vs 82.0, P<0.05). Cattle in Group F produced meat that had a higher ultimate pH (P<0.001), however, meat from animals in Group F was significantly more tender as measured by sensory analysis (P<0.001). There were few differences between cattle in Groups R and S suggesting that differences in tenderness in this and other studies between animals on fast and slow growth rates were a result of differences in animal age rather than in inherent growth potential of the animals. Results suggest that holding cattle under appropriate welfare standards and allowing them enough time to recover from trucking and environmental stress should result in acceptable meat. Results from this trial have practical implications for producers and processors, and for the production of beef for the New Zealand Quality Mark. In this trial beef was tougher when it was from bulls or from older groups of cattle, with these two effects appearing to be additive. It is therefore suggested that cattle age and gender criteria should be considered for inclusion in the Quality Mark system.
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    The use of oestrous cows for the pre-collection preparation of mature bulls standing at an artificial breeding centre : a thesis presented to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Agricultural Science
    (Massey University, 1962) Macmillan, K. L.
    Since 1949, a marked expansion in the commercial operation of artificial breeding has taken place in New Zealand. This expansion represents an increase from 1,400 inseminated cows in 1949, to 556,000 inseminated cows in 1961. (New Zealand Dairy Prod, and Marketing Board Ann, Rept. (1962)). The principle objective of the Artificial Breeding Service is to offer farmers the use of top sires from each of the main dairy breeds in New Zealand. These sires are selected on the basis of progeny test records. The rating which each proven sire receives is calculated from the butterfat production records of a sire's daughters. The butterfat records of each daughter are corrected for are differences and compared with the age-corrected average production of the herd-mates. Bulls selected for use as A.B. sires are placed at one of the two Artificial Breeding Centres which provide a Dominion-wide coverage. Because of the seasonal nature of daily farming in New Zealand, the bulk of the demand for semen occurs during the spring mating period, and since chilled semen is the principle form of service offered, the bulls experience a peak working period of eight to twelve weeks at this tise of the year. Ths objective in development at the Centres has been to obtain maximum coverage from top sires compatible with satisfactory conception rates. In 1961, the 49-day non-return rate to first inseminations with chilled semen was 63/3% (New Zealand Dairy Production and Marketing Board Ann. Rept. (1962)).
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    A study of the efficiency of feed utilization in young Friesian bulls fed cut pasture : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Animal Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1974) Clark, David Andrew
    An investigation was undertaken into the efficiency of feed utilisation of Friesian bulls. Of major interest was the comparison of efficiency of feed utilisation in two groups of bulls selected for extreme differences in liveweight gains at pasture. Data for yearling, Friesian bulls run at pasture over a period of six months at the Awahuri and Newstead Artificial Breeding Centres were analyzed. Nine bulls with the highest liveweight gain were placed in a high (H) group, and nine bulls with the lowest liveweight gains were placed in a low (L) group. A standardisation period of four weeks was used to measure the voluntary intake of cut pasture of the two groups of bulls. At the end of this period the bulls were assigned to blocks on the basis of liveweight and one of three intake levels randomly allocated within blocks. Intake levels one, two and three were designed to give liveweight gains of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 kg/day respectively. Each bull within intake level one or two was allocated cut pasture in direct proportion to their metabolic liveweight (W3/4). During the eight week comparison pariod, a concentrate meal was offered at the rate of 3.6 kg/day to those bulls on intake level three, together with ad libitum cut pasture. Digestible energy intake and liveweight gain were measured in the comparison period, and measures of total and partial efficiency calculated from the data. In the selection period the mean liveweight gains of the high and low liveweight gain groups were 1.35 and 1.00 kg/day respectively. However, in the standardisation period there were no significant differences between the high and low liveweight gain groups in either, voluntary intake or liveweight gain.