@conference {41514,
	title = {Embryo transfer for improved feed conversion efficiency in cattle},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {246-251},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Two experiments were conducted to understand the interactions between calf weaning date, level of nutrition and parasite  challenge. In the first experiment, spring-born calves were weaned at 6 or 9 months of age (early  or late weaning) and subject  to  natural parasite challenge, or natural plus an additional dose of 7500 infective larvae/day. Late weaned calves (with cows) also had  either high or low pasture allowance treatments imposed. When calves were 9 months of age, calf liveweights (kg) were 253, 302 and  277 (SED 3.9) for the early wean/high nutrition, late wean/high nutrition and late wean/low nutrition treatments respectively and high  and low nutrition cow liveweights were 494 and 479 kg (SED 4.8) respectively. At 9 months of age, early weaned calves showed  higher faecal egg counts (P<0.05). Dosing with additional parasitic larvae had no effect on early weaned calves, but lowered late  weaned calf weights. In the second experiment, calves were weaned at 6 months of age or left un-weaned until the age of 9 months  when all calves were slaughtered. Un-weaned calves showed lower gastro-intestinal worm counts than early weaned calves. In both  experiments, late weaned calves showed substantial liveweight advantage and lower parasite burdens. Reducing the nutrition of late  weaned calves and cows reduced the size of this liveweight benefit. Later weaning is a management option for farmers seeking to  reduce reliance on anthelmintic drenches without the associated production loss.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Scott ML and Webby RW and McGowan L and Cameron C and Brooky A}
}
@conference {41515,
	title = {Factors associated with calving difficulty in embryo transfer mated cattle},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {252-256},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Data were collected from 249 cows over 2 years at Whatawhata Research Centre on pelvic area, weight and breed of embryo transfer mated cow, calf birth weight, breed and a defined calving difficulty score. Cow liveweight and pelvic area were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.56, P< 0.05), but cow liveweight and calf birth weight were not (R2 = 0.07, NS). Cow pelvic area and calf birth weight were also not related (R2 = 0.04, NS). In July of each year, the Jersey cows were 119 kg lighter (P<0.001), had a smaller pelvic area (264 vs. 322 cm2, P<0.001) and more calving difficulties (26 vs. 5\%, P<0.001) than Hereford x Friesian (HxF) cows. Across breeds, pelvic area (P<0.01) and cow liveweight (P<0.001), when fitted individually, were negatively associated with the probability of a cow having an assisted calving. On its own, the impact of calf birth weight was NS, although it explained additional variation (P<0.05) if cow liveweight was in the model. Within the range of calf breeds (NS) we used, we predict that any of recipient breed, cow liveweight or pelvic area (in decreasing order of reliability) could be used to reject cows at ET that might cause problems at calving although errors of estimation will result in wasteful rejection of cows and will not eliminate calving problems. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Scott ML and Webby RW and Cameron C and McGowan L and Brooky A}
}
@conference {41159,
	title = {The effects of shearing Finnish Landrace x Romney ewes in mid-pregnancy on lamb survival, birth and other weights},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {60},
	year = {2000},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {58-60},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {In each of 2 years, 600 Finnish Landrace x Romney ewes were subjected to a range of nutrition levels in early to mid pregnancy. Half the ewes were then shorn at day 70 of pregnancy with a standard comb. In the first year (1997), shearing treatment had no impact on single lamb birth and weaning weights, which were 5 and 29 kg respectively. Treatment improved twin lamb birth weights by 0.2 kg (P< 0.10), and weaning weight 1.4 kg (P<0.10). In the second year (1998), shearing treatment benefited single lamb birth weight (0.2kg; P< 0.10), and weaning weight (1kg; P<0.01) and improved twin lamb birth weight by 0.2 kg (P<0.01). In both years, lambing rate and survival were not affected. Ewe weaning weight, also in both years, was slightly higher in the ewes shorn at day 70 of pregnancy (P< 0.05). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Webby RW and Tarbotton IS and Clayton JB}
}
@conference {41179,
	title = {The use of body measurements in cattle to predict future live weight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {60},
	year = {2000},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {129-131},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Farmers need to select cattle into final slaughter groups in advance. Traditionally combinations of live weight and eyeappraisal are used to make these selections. To improve this process, live weight, length from withers to top of tail, widthacross hook bones and depth from brisket level behind shoulder to top of withers were measured at 3-monthly intervals onAngus steers from 8 to 30 months of age. Of all the individual measurements, previous live weight predicted end weightbetter than any single body measurement. This was improved by including other body measurements selected using stepwiseregressions. Although no particular combination of measurements was best for all time periods the results showed thatlength, width and body depth added value to current live weight as selection criteria for drafting steers into final slaughtertime herds.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and Boom CJ and Cameron CA}
}
@conference {41093,
	title = {Nutritional effects, in early pregnancy, on lamb production of Finnish Landrace x Romney ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {108-110},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {This study tested the hypothesis that in high fertility ewes, low nutrition in early to mid pregnancy could affect placental
development in turn affecting foetal development, lamb birth weight and lamb survival. In 1997, 600 Finn x Romney ewes were randomised to 1 of 5 herbage allowance treatments applied over day 20 to 70 of pregnancy. Over the treatment period, mean herbage intake ranged from 0.69 to 2.04 kg DM/ewe/day resulting in ewe live weight changes of 36 to +60 g/ewe/day respectively (p<0.001). The result was a consistent but non-significant trend in birth weight with the lowest allowance ewes having single and twin lamb birth weights of 5.2 and 4.3 (SED 0.2) kg respectively. Corresponding birth weights for lambs from the highest allowance ewes were 5.3 and 4.4 kg. Lambing rate and lamb survival were not affected.
In 1998, 4 nutrition treatments were applied from day 7 to 70 of pregnancy to 650 ewes randomised from either of 2 reviously generated mating weight groups. These treatments gave live weight changes of 84 to +35 g/ewe/day (p<0.001) from average herbage intakes of 0.70 to 1.96 kg DM/ewe/day. Birth weight of the single lambs (trial average 5.0 kg; SED 0.1) was not affected. However, twin lambs born from ewes from the lowest herbage allowance treatment were 0.35 kg lighter than those from the other treatments (p<0.01). Similarly, lambs born per ewes mated and lambs weaned per ewes present at lambing were also affected (p<0.05). We conclude that, in fecund ewes, nutrition in early pregnancy can affect twin lamb birth weight and lambing rate but only where the ewes are losing weight at more than 40 g/ewe/day or lose more than 4 kg from mating to mid-pregnancy.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Webby RW and Tarbotton I}
}
@conference {41143,
	title = {The relationship between beef ultimate pH, breed of cattle, muscle glycogen and enzyme levels and animal behaviour},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {287-290},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {To determine the incidence of high ultimate pH (pHu) across farms 967 cattle were involved in a survey which showed 3\% of Angus, 21\% of Simmental cross and 60\% of the Friesians steers had an pHu above the acceptable maximum of 5.8. In further work, muscle (longissimus dorsi) biopsies samples were taken from 60 two-year-old Angus, Simmental cross and Friesian steers (n = 20 per breed) in late November and assayed for glycogen concentration and enzyme concentrations that indicated muscle fibre type. Behaviour measurements were made on all animals before slaughter. Individual measurements of carcass characteristics were made 22-24 hours after slaughter, including carcass weight, pHu, meat colour score, and fat depth (GR). Only one carcass had a pHu above 5.8 and there was no pHu difference between breeds (5.53, 5.55, and 5.58 for Angus, Simmental cross, and Friesian, respectively). There was no difference between breeds in the glycogen concentration in the muscle, although there were differences in enzyme concentrations that suggested differences between breeds in the proportion of the three muscle fibre types. Flight distance were small (4-7 m) but longer for Friesian than Simmental cross steers. There were no relationships between meat pHu and flight distance, glycogen concentration or muscle enzyme concentrations. Breed did not appear to effect pHu or muscle glycogen concentration. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and Fisher AD and Lambert MG and Turner P}
}
@conference {41084,
	title = {The results and success factors of nine group farm monitoring programmes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {87-90},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Results from 9 farmer groups located in the upper North Island and operating over the period of 1988 to 1998 showed that group farm monitoring has facilitated changes in farm practice performance and income.  The process in-volved groups of farmers with associated consultants, veterinarians and scientists; and the detailed monitoring of a central farm for 3 to 4 years.  Changes made on the monitor farm incorporated the optimisation of the farm system and the adaptation and use of new sheep and beef cattle farming technologies.  Increases in production ranged from 8 to 37\%; and increases in farm revenue from 13 to 31\%.  Changes to stock policies that better aligned feed demand and supply, in-creased growth rates of young animals and greater efficiencies in breeding ewe and cow performance were common contributors to improved performances.  The group farm monitoring process emphasised the value of gathering and effectively using farm and product information and provided a collective learning environment for farmers within a group context.  Critical success factors that have emerged from a decade of work experience associated with group process are highlighted and discussed in the paper.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sheath GW and Webby RW and Keeling P and Thomson RD and Page CR and Burton GT}
}
@conference {41077,
	title = {Variation in lamb survival within farm and between farms},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {73-75},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Variation in lamb loses between scanning and docking were investigated in 1997 in a survey and an on farm study. Ultrasonography results on MA ewes showed a range from 130 to 191\% foetuses scanned/ewes present. Ewe weights at joining ranged from 54 to 70 kg. Survival of multiple and single was 78\%, and 92\% respectively. Differences between scanning and docking comprised 21\% ewe deaths, 49\% dead lambs and 30\% missing /unseen. Paddock docking results were 157\% to 188\% for ewes with 2 lambs and from 90\% to 109\% for 1 lamb. Paddocks were assessed on the basis of slope, aspect, shelter, hazards and disturbance. Lack of shelter on easy contours, disturbance and steep slopes appeared to exacerbate lamb deaths. Adverse weather was not a factor in the year of this study. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Tarbotton IS and Webby RW}
}
@conference {40901,
	title = {Farmer groups, a measure of their effectiveness},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {109-111},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {From 1993 to 1995 changes in sheep and beef cattle farmer learning styles; their beliefs about group interactions and their beliefs about the farm system were measured in three groups located in the upper North Island. The groups were each part of a group farm monitoring programme involving scientists from the Whatawhata Research Centre. Using a survey questionnaire, the study sought to identify ways of improving the delivery of technology to group members. Most group members expressed a preference for logical learning experiences (50\% of those surveyed) followed by problem solving (32\%), action (12.5\%), and social interaction (5.5\%). Belief maps which illustrate group interactions identified problems in group cohesion. Farm system belief maps identified distinct categories of farm system components, viz.: performance related technologies; relatively non-complex technologies; relatively complex technologies. Over time, beliefs about stock policies became more closely related to farm performance indicators such as profit. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and Paine MS}
}
@conference {40951,
	title = {Use of teaser ram effect to advance lambing date in a farm systems study},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {256-257},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The normal onset of seasonal oestrous behaviour in Romney derived breeds can be advanced by the use of teaser rams and social facilitation. This technique was used, as part of a farm systems trial, to advance the start of lambing from September 1 to August 1. In the first year, the use of Dorset rams at ratios of 0, 3, 6 and 9 per 100 ewes resulted in 0, 72, 81 and 86\% respectively of ewes ovulating at the silent oestrous. In the following year, a ratio of 8\% was used in combination with CIDRs after the silent oestrous. This extra manipulation gave no advantage in terms of ewes lambing and ewes lambing multiples. Use of Coopworth rams instead of Dorsets and priming the teaser rams by exposure to oestrogen treated spayed ewes likewise had little impact. Over all years, teasing resulted in a similar proportion of ewes lambing (87\%) compared to the later lambing non-teased groups (89\%). However, the early groups had only 37\% multiple births compared to the late lambing ewes (48\%, P<0.01). The 31 day advance in start mate date in the early ewes resulted, on average, in a 27 day advance in mean lambing date (P<0.01). When weaned on the same date the early lambs were 2.27 kg heavier than the late lambs (P<0.01). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Webby RW and Sheath GW}
}
@conference {40695,
	title = {An evaluation of the Stockpol model},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {55},
	year = {1995},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {145-159},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The potential of large scale bin trapping of flies as a means of reducing  the incidence of flystrike was evaluated. Two 5 ha paddocks of similar soil  type and pasture species composition, but more than 500 m apart, were used.   From Nov. 16 to Dec. 24 flies were trapped in paddock 1 using four 2001 bin  traps baited with sheep},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and McCall DG and Blanchard VJ}
}
@conference {40625,
	title = {The current status of the beef breeding cow in New Zealand mixed livestock production systems.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {311-314},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The total beef breeding cow herd in New Zealand, currently numbers  
1.45 million head.  Of the total beef herd, breeding cows make up only 30\%.   
In 1975 when numbers peaked at 2.31 million, breeding cows made up 37\% of the  
total beef herd.  Despite the decline in the New Zealand breeding cow herd,  
beef production now exceeds 1975 levels.  Per head carcass weights have  
increased and there is an increasing contribution of beef cattle from the  
dairy industry.  Pastoral land loses to forestry are expected to exceed 500,000  
ha in the next decade, much of this from areas grazed by breeding cows. 
 
The beef breeding cow is complementary to the performance of other stock  
classes.  Her seasonal feed demand profile, her ability to utilise surplus  
often low quality feed, buffer herself against periods of low feeding and to  
be a source of equity and income stabilisation is highly regarded by farmers.   
Compared to a traditional self replacing beef breed herd, a dairy beef cross  
breed herd where all replacements are sourced from the dairy industry will  
return up to 43\% more revenue per hectare.  With the development of new  
technology there is growing potential for the beef breeding cow to compete at  
all levels of the beef production line. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and Thomson RD}
}
@conference {40418,
	title = {Comparative performance of ewes shorn either once-yearly or 3 times in 2 years},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {225-228},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The determinants of wool production per unit area of skin are  reviewed, and found to be dominated by follicle volume. Evidence is  presented to show that follicle cells destined to become fibre cells  differentiate into a continuum of cell types rather than discrete  populations of medullary, ortho- and paracortical cells as the  literature suggests. Fibres of the same dimensions grown by a sheep at  one point in time contain differing proportions of these cell types. It  is hypothesised that there is a degree of independence between fibre  volume and cell differentiation. Medulla formation is explained in  terms of competition between follicles for keratin precursors, so that  fibre volume exceeds the available volume of keratin. A similar  mechanism is proposed for the cortex, where paracortex and mesocortex  become less prevalent as total fibre volume increases. It is concluded  that a model for fibre formation can be considered in two parts: one  which generates fibre volume and another which determines cell type  within that volume.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sumner RMW and Webby RW and Winter RD}
}
@conference {40050,
	title = {Facial eczema in hill country - potential toxicity and effects on ewe performance},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {47},
	year = {1987},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {45-48},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Milk responses to selenium supplementation were measured in 12 dairy herds of low selenium status as indicated by blood selenium concentrations of less than 150 nmol/l (<12 ug/l). In 4 of the herds milk responses were measured for 2 successive seasons. Milk volume responses to selenium varied from -2.6\% to +10.4\% (mean +4.6\%) and milk fat responses from -4.0\% to +10.2\% (mean +3.7\%). Significant (P<0.05) milk volume responses occurred on 2 farms in the first season and milk fat responses on 2 farms in the second season. A negative relationship (P<0.01) was found between milk fat response (\%) to selenium (FatSe) and blood selenium concentration (nmol/l) (BSe) for herds in their first season of supplementation of:- FatSe) = 9.6 - 0.059 BSe. There was no relation between these parameters in the second season of supplementation.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sheath GW and Webby RW and Boom RC}
}
@conference {39762,
	title = {Flushing responses of well and poorly reared two-tooth ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {42},
	year = {1982},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {37-40},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The effects on two-tooth reproduction of 3 times of shearing relative to joining either in early March or early April were investigated. Ewes were shorn either 4 or 2 weeks before joining or remained unshorn throughout. Ewe fertility was increased by shearing 4 weeks before joining compared with the other shearing treatments. Joining ewes in April increased fertility. It is concluded that ewes should be shorn at least 4 weeks before joining and joined in April rather than March if lamb production is to be maximised.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smeaton DC and Webby RW and Hockey H-UP and Wadams TK}
}
@conference {39724,
	title = {Effect of grazing management on hogget fleece characteristics},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {41},
	year = {1981},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {128-132},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sumner RMW and During C and Webby RW}
}
@conference {39667,
	title = {The relationship of pasture parameters to liveweight gain of hoggets on North Island hill country},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {40},
	year = {1980},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {98-105},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {During C and Dyson CB and Webby RW}
}
