@article {3672,
	title = {Deer seasonal growth pathways},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {82},
	year = {2022},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {50-56},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Red deer are seasonal and generally experience a period of low growth in winter. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals vary in the degree of their seasonality. Mechanisms that drive the differences in seasonality are not well understood. Six sires paired by 12-month weight estimated Breeding Value (eBV) but with contrasting seasonality were used to generate progeny to investigate the mechanisms that influence seasonal growth. Progeny were fed ad-lib on pasture year-round to allow expression of genetic potential with liveweight monitored fortnightly. Feed intake and efficiency were estimated during a 10-day period in each season. Analysis of seasonal liveweight gains indicated that predicted seasonal growth rates were repeatable within sire lines. Significant differences within paired sire lines in growth rates were expressed during winter for the two lower 12-month weight eBV paired groupings. Winter intakes were estimated to be lower than spring intakes although absolute values were considerably higher than expected. Variations in estimated feed efficiency between sire-line pairings were significant in all seasons apart from summer however, more research is required to correlate this estimation technique against actual feed efficiency. This research demonstrated that variation in the degree of seasonality between sires does exist and could be exploited for management decisions.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Thompson BR and Stevens DR and Ward JF and Dodds KG and Asher GW}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand sheep-and-beef farm systems},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {56-60},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Agriculture was the single largest contributor (48.1\%) to total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New Zealand in 2017, and sheep and beef livestock systems contributed about 40\% of these emissions. A holistic assessment of the farm-scale drivers of GHG emissions is critical to identifying opportunities to reduce emissions. We used farm-scale models to estimate feed inventories, nutrient flows and GHG emissions for 60 sheep and beef farms. The range in annual GHG emissions (methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)) was 189 to 6,362 kg carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents per hectare, demonstrating the diversity in sheep and beef systems. As stocking rate and animal product (wool + net carcass weight) per hectare increased, GHG emissions increased, although some farms exhibited 50\% higher emissions than others with similar animal product per hectare. The variation in GHG emissions across these farms indicates there is potential to reduce on-farm GHG emissions and remain productive and profitable.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hutchinson KJ and Rennie GM and Vibart RE and Mercer GJK and O{\textquoteright}Neil K and Burtt AN and Chrystal JM and Devantier B and Smiley DR and Taylor AL and Thompson BR and Wall AJ and Dynes RA}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Reproductive performance of pregnant red deer hinds fed swede forage-crops in winter},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {165-169},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {Reproductive wastage is a significant cause of productivity loss in New Zealand deer herds. This study investigated the impact
on reproductive performance of red deer hinds fed swedes over winter. Forty rising-two-year-old and 40 mixed-aged pregnant
hinds were drafted into two groups each and grazed for 100 days over winter on either a swede forage crop or pasture. Hinds
were blood sampled regularly, weighed fortnightly and pregnancy scanned monthly. Blood samples were analysed for blood urea
nitrogen and indicators of liver damage. Swede forage crops were sampled for nutrient and glucosinolate concentrations. No
significant differences in hind foetal loss were found between the two wintering systems or two age classes. Swede glucosinolate
concentrations levels were above thresholds considered dangerous for animal consumption but no liver damage was observed.
Blood urea nitrogen levels did not differ between the swede- and pasture-fed hind groups until day 80, which was 10 days after
the swede groups were transferred to another swede crop, when blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower in the swede
groups. This research indicated that grazing on swedes did not influence reproductive wastage in this instance. However, the effect
of low protein intake over an extended period during pregnancy needs to be investigated further.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Thompson BR and Stevens DR and Petit MA and Asher GW}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Valuing improved deer genetics},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {117-120},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {New Zealand deer breeders have made rapid genetic progress in growth traits over the previous decade.  A farm-systems analysis was performed using real growth data, to compare sires of differing breed-type and genetic merit for growth traits.  Scenarios used red deer maternal sires, of average or high genetic merit, and wapiti terminal sires of high genetic merit. The base scenario of all average-genetic-merit maternal sires was compared against all other systems. Capital stock numbers were adjusted to maintain starting winter pasture covers and total average pasture covers to be as similar as possible; all other core parameters were kept consistent. All high-growth merit scenarios were 6.1\%-8.4\% more profitable. Median age to slaughter decreased by between 37-61 days, resulting in an increase in average sale value ($/kg) of 5.5\%-7.7\%. Average carcass weights increased by 2.7\%-4.2\% with an increase in efficiency (kg product/kg DM consumed) of 1.6\%-3.1\% over the base scenario. These gains in productivity, profit-ability and efficiency, relative to the base scenario were all achieved with reductions of between 5.6\% and 8.0\% in the capital hind base.  This farm-systems analysis demonstrates that there are favourable gains to be made by deer farmers investing in genetics for improved growth traits.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Thompson BR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {The impact of lamb growth rate pre- and post-weaning on farm profitability in three geoclimatic regions},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {132-136},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {Sheep and beef farmers target an increase in lamb growth rates as a means of increasing on-farm profit. Increasing any performance
parameter invariably increases feed demand, resulting in either a need to increase feed supply or reduce feed demand in some
other area of the farm system, therefore potentially affecting profit. A whole-farm-system model was used to assess the impact of
increasing lamb weaning weight and post-weaning growth rate on farm profit and enterprise selection of three farms from three
regions (Otago, Gisborne and Northland). Farm profit did not always increase with an increase in weaning weight or post-weaning
growth rate. Farm profit was highest in the cool temperate region when weaning weight was at the base weight (27 kg) and
post-weaning growth rate was 75 g/d greater than current. Farm profit was highest in the dry temperate region when weaning
weight was 32 kg (6 kg above the base weight) and post-weaning growth rate was 50 g/d greater than the base growth profile. In
the warm, temperate region, farm profit was highest at the two extremes, the highest weaning weight (30.6 kg) and post-weaning
growth rate profile (100 g/d greater than the base profile) and at the lowest weaning weight (24.6 kg) and post-weaning growth rate
profile (50 g/d less than the base profile). This demonstrates the interactions and trade-offs between feed supply and lamb growth
rate on farm, and highlights that increasing lamb liveweight gain does not necessarily equate to increased profit.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Thompson BR and Stevens DR and Scobie DR and O{\textquoteright}Connell D}
}
@conference {41787,
	title = {Reticulo-rumen growth and papillae development in farmed red calves from four to twelve weeks of age},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {47-48},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {Ruminants are born with an underdeveloped forestomach (Warner et al., 1956) and as such operate as a monogastric animals until the reticulorumen (RR) and omasum have developed. The development of the rumen from birth to weaning has been well studied in dairy cattle (Heinrichs \& Lesmeister, 2005), but not farmed red deer. Understanding pre-weaning rumen developmental processes is required for feeding programmes aiming to maximise pre-weaning growth rates of young red deer calves for early venison production. This preliminary study aimed to document the changes in rumen growth and papillae development ...Continued },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Thompson BR and Hofstra G and Hammond KJ and Mackintosh CG and Hoskin SO and Littlejohn RP and Stevens DR}
}
