@article {3672,
	title = {Dominant mutation(s) for low fibre curvature in the wool of sheep},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {112-116},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Two sires judged to have phenotypically lustrous wool as neonates were mated to ewes that did not exhibit lustre in their fleece as adults. Around half their progeny were lustrous as neonates. Wool characteristics of these progeny were measured on an optically based fibre diameter analyser (OFDA) when they were weaned and again as yearlings. There was a profound difference in mean fibre curvature (P<0.001) such that the lustrous phenotype had less curvature in both sire groups (22.8, 24.5{\textdegree}/mm) compared with the non-lustrous (67.5, 56.2{\textdegree}/mm) as lambs, and 29.8, 28.1{\textdegree}/mm compared with 74.1, 55.0{\textdegree}/mm as yearlings. Curvature of the sire groups was significantly different in concert with breed mix, Merino in one sire and Romney in the other, but only when their fleece was not lustrous. The greasy fleece of the lustrous yearlings was significantly lighter (1.8 vs 3.0 kg, P<0.05) than their non-lustrous contemporaries, while there was no significant difference in fibre diameter between the two phenotypes as lambs or yearlings. Fibre curvature is inexpensive to measure and well-defined, whereas lustre is a qualitatively assessed trait. These findings suggest {\textquotedblleft}low fibre curvature{\textquotedblright} would be a more appropriate name for the trait than {\textquotedblleft}lustre{\textquotedblright}.


Keywords: lustre mutant; wool fibre; crimp; curvature},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scobie DR and van Koten C and Richena M and Plowman JE and Harland DP}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Mechanical properties of black, grey, and white hoof material of sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {154-158},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {A study was undertaken to better understand the care and attitudes towards rams on NZ commercial farms. Farms (n=22) were
surveyed in Otago and South Canterbury giving indicative data on the treatment and attitudes that commercial farmers have
towards rams. On average (SD; Range) the number of ewes put to each ram was, for maternal and terminal sires respectively, 92
(21; 56-143) and 84 (20; 50-100). The reported difference between when rams were put to ewes and when lambs were weaned
was 319 days (51; 199-359). Rams were typically put to ewes in April and early May, and weaned as early as November. Visual
assessment was most commonly used to assess rams for purchase, with most farmers considering visual attributes and then figures,
such as breeding values, to choose rams. The average mortality of rams was reported as 5\% (7\%; 0-28\%). The average culling
of maternal and terminal sires over the year was respectively 26 and 29\%. Annual health checks by a vet were reported for 45\%
of the farms. A most common reason for checking was for Brucella ovis testing. This research will provide information to guide
further studies on commercial sheep farms.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scobie DR and Makela AG and van Koten C and O{\textquoteright}Connell D}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Blank panels in sheep yards encourage sheep to jump},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {191-194},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { The lateral sides of two adjacent forcing pens and the sides of the races were clad with plywood to improve sheep flow in yards
at AgResearch Lincoln farm. Following this, two flocks of yearling sheep were run through the yards every two weeks for
drafting. One flock was exclusively male (n = 223), while the other was all female (n = 248). On the first occasion, a number of
yearlings jumped out of the forcing pen. This had not been observed in previous years, so the number jumping was recorded. A
non-parametric time-to-event analysis method, the Kaplan-Meier estimator, was used to obtain cumulative incidence functions
of sheep jumping. If they were to jump out of the pen, the sheep had two choices, a pipe rail fence (or gate) or a blank plywood
wall. During 14 handling events, 1\% of yearlings jumped the pipe rails whereas 7\% jumped the plywood wall (P < 0.001). These
yearlings chose to jump a fence they could not see through. Clearly there are many variables that could be tested in this model.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scobie DR and O{\textquoteright}Connell D and van Koten C and R Phiskie}
}
@conference {89236,
	title = {Another look at shearing lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {73},
	year = {2013},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {120-125},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {<p>Some farmers believe shearing lambs improves weight gain. On four separate farms, lambs were randomly drafted into two groups in summer, one was shorn while the other was crutched but left unshorn. They were subsequently run as one mob until all were shorn as yearlings in spring. Corriedale lambs (n = 100 x 2 years and 50 per treatment in a third year) were used on one farm, Halfbred lambs (n = 100 per treatment x 1 year) on another farm and two farms used Merino lambs (n = 50 per treatment on each farm x 1 year). Averaged across three consecutive years, the Corriedales shorn as lambs were 2.8 kg heavier as yearlings (P \&lt;0.001) and grew 629g more wool (P \&lt;0.001), which could be profitable. Halfbred yearlings shorn as lambs were 0.85 kg heavier (P = 0.041) and although not significant, grew more wool (120 g). Shorn Merino lambs produced 140 g more wool on one farm (P = 0.019) only, with no significant live weight differences between shearing treatments on either farm. International literature suggests the decision to shear lambs should be based on availability of feed, cost of shearing, time of year, temperature and the riskof flystrike, grass seed damage or adverse weather.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scobie DR and Marshall AJ and van Koten C}
}
