@conference {69508,
	title = {Wool characteristics in the Meat and wool New Zealand Central Progeny Test flocks},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {217-221},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {The Meat and Wool New Zealand Central Progeny Test programme (CPT) was established to demonstrate the relative breeding merit of leading sires in the New Zealand sheep industry. Here we describe the wool grown over the summer by the 2007 born one-year-old ewes within the CPT. Within fleeces, staple strength varied between farms as shown by the mean difference of 23 N/ktex in offspring of the link sire. Staple strength correlated positively with midside fibre diameter (r = 0.26), medullation (r = 0.23) and negatively with fibre curvature (r = -0.61). Staple strength was similar on anterior (74 {\textpm} 24 N/ktex) and midside (75 {\textpm} 24 N/ktex) body-sites, but was weaker on the hindleg (64 {\textpm} 21 N/ktex; P <0.001). Overall mean staple strength was 72 {\textpm} 20 N/ktex, while individual fleeces ranged from 19 to 121 N/ktex. Ten percent of fleeces measured below 45 N/ktex leaving them prone to excessive fibre breakage during processing. Some fleeces varied up to 40 N/ktex across body-sites. Even within one flock, offspring of individual sires differed by a mean of 29 N/ktex, suggesting a consistent weakness of wool in the progeny of some highly ranked sires which will negatively affect processing and end-product performance.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craven AJ and Ashby MG and Scobie DR}
}
@conference {60950,
	title = {Variation of wool between and across the fleeces of composite-breed strong wool sheep in New Zealand},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2009},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {90-95},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Many farmers in New Zealand have moved towards using composite-breed sheep flocks to increase the meat production and fecundity of their stock. We aimed to determine whether flocks with a wider genetic base had greater between and within-fleece variation than single-breed flocks. Wool from seventeen body sites of sheep from five flocks of diverse genetic background (Romney, Coopworth, and crosses with Texel, Finnish Landrace and East Friesian breed lines) were compared. Both mean fibre diameter and mean fibre curvature differed between flocks (P <0.001), and across the body (P <0.01). While fibre diameter was more consistent, fibre curvature was more variable across the finer fleeces of flocks with some Finnish Landrace influence. Wool was shorter in Texel crosses, resulting in more consistent length across body sites. Our data suggests that composite-breed sheep exhibit increased within-fleece variation of some wool traits and decreased variation of others. Of most significance was that the extent of wool variation across body sites varied considerably between sheep, regardless of their genotype. In general, there was little association between wool traits with respect to this across-fleece uniformity. Fleece uniformity can be assessed by sampling across the anterior-posterior axis. Selection of stock with more uniform fleeces for specific traits may aid the production of wool better specified to satisfy differentiated niche markets. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craven AJ and Ashby MG and Wildermoth JE and Cox NR and Scobie DR and Nixon AJ}
}
@conference {41788,
	title = {Wool follicle characteristics in sheep with differing ventral wool length phenotypes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {49-52},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {Recent interest in sheep requiring less on-farm fleece management has lead to the development of sheep with long wool covering the trunk, but only short wool on the belly and breech. We have characterised developmental and structural features of the skin, including follicle density, primary to secondary follicle ratio and follicle activity state at various body sites of bare- and woolly-bellied ewes, and their foetuses. At 70 days of gestation, foetuses of bare-bellied ewes had developed fewer follicles than woolly-bellied sheep (1.7 {\textpm} 0.27 versus 2.8 {\textpm} 0.21 follicles per mm2; P<0.01). In adults, similar densities and ratios of primary to secondary follicles occurred in bare- and woolly-bellied ewes in each body site studied including dorsal, midside, anterior and posterior fleece positions, as well as the belly, breech and face. However, the proportion of inactive follicles in late autumn was greater in bare-belly adult ewes, not only on the belly (15.5 {\textpm} 1.9\% versus 4.9 {\textpm} 2.9\%; P<0.05), but also across the fleece which exhibited anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral gradients in follicle activity. The short wool phenotype was thus associated with altered follicle cycles, but no differences in adult follicle densities. However, wool production might be compromised, as follicle activity varied across the whole fleece of bare-belly sheep. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craven AJ and Scobie DR and Ashby MG and Nixon AJ}
}
@conference {42005,
	title = {Variation of wool characteristics across the body of New Zealand Wiltshire sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {339-344},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Variations in wool quality within a sheep arise from inherent differences between sites across the body and between fibres within a site, as well as variationsalong individual fibres that result from nutritional, reproductive and seasonal influences. The Wiltshire sheep is a shedding breed in which there is renewed interest due to the relative values of meat and wool, and the costs of wool production. Staple length, fibre diameter, fibre diameter standard deviation, and medullation were measured on wool grown at seventeen sites across the body of two-tooth Wiltshire rams undergoing a photoperiod-induced wool growth cycle. Staple length was longest on the shoulder (41 {\textpm} 2.5 mm) and shortest on the belly (14 {\textpm} 1.2 mm). There was an inverse correlation between staple length and fibre diameter with the finest fibres on the shoulder and coarsest on the hip (R{\texttwosuperior}=-0.7, P<0.001). This gradient of increasing fibre diameter was associated with increased variation within-staples (R{\texttwosuperior}=-0.8, P<0.001). Fibre medullation increased from the shoulder to the hip. Short coarse fibres on the front and back legs, along with facial hairs highlight differences in major regional skin domains that are established in utero. Although midside samples were representative for each fleece they did not portray the anterior/posterior and dorsal/ventral gradients observed in all characteristics studied. Understanding the within-fleece variation in wool characteristics is a requirement for producing sheep with more desirable fleece distribution patterns.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craven AJ and Ashby MG and Scobie DR and Nixon AJ}
}
@conference {41522,
	title = {Relation between sweating and wool yellowing in Merino and Romney sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {286-292},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Five adult Merino and five adult Romney ewes with 7 months growth of fleece were subjected to nine different environmental challenges in a climate controlled room on consecutive days where the temperature humidity index (THI) was varied from 74.2 to 91.3 for up to 7 h at each exposure. Secretions were collected from glands in the skin on the back, midside and belly regions of each sheep. The sheep were shorn 5 months later. There was a significantly curvilinear increase in total skin gland output and the rate of secretion of titratable alkalinity and potassium ions with increasing THI. Romney sheep had a higher secretion rate than Merino sheep with no significant site effect. The rate of secretion of titratable alkalinity and potassium ions by the skin glands were both strongly related to tristimulus (Y-Z) of the fleece at shearing (base yellow) (R2 = 0.93, 0.92) and after incubation of the wool sample at 40{\textdegree}C and 100\%RH for 6 d (challenge yellow) (R2 = 0.96, 0.95). These data indicate a particularly strong relationship between the rate of secretion of titratable alkalinity and potassium ions by the skin glands and the later propensity of the fleece to develop a yellow discolouration. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sumner RMW and Ashby MG and Craven AJ}
}
@conference {41065,
	title = {Fleece production patterns in Romney ewes: Effects of photoperiod, pregnancy and lactation},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {30-33},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Twenty one Romney ewes were housed indoors for 12 months from February to determine the effect of season, pregnancy and lactation on wool growth. Ten ewes were naturally mated in April to lamb in September. The ewes were fed to maintain constant maternal body weight and a midside patch harvested monthly to determine clean fleece growth rates. An effect of pregnancy on individual fibre length growth rate, determined by autoradiography, occurred as early as 21-35 days after joining. During the second month of gestation, fleece production and mean fibre diameter fell below that of non-pregnant ewes and continued to diverge until parturition. Wool production rose in the non-pregnant group from August, but did not increase in lambing ewes until after parturition. These data suggest that pregnancy is associated with an early hormonally-mediated depression in follicle output superimposed on the decline associated with winter photoperiod. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pearson AJ and Kendall PE and Ashby MG and Wildermoth JE}
}
@conference {41066,
	title = {Seasonal wool growth patterns and the follicle and fibre characteristics of New Zealand feral sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {34-38},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Wool follicle and fibre characteristics, and aspects of their seasonality were assessed in feral sheep from the Hokonui Hills (Merino origin), Campbell Island (Merino x long-wool breeds) and Raglan Peninsula (Romney). Live weight, fleece weight, staple length, crimp frequency, fibre diameter, fibre curvature, follicle density and secondary to primary follicle ratio differed between breeds, reflecting their breed origins. Mean clean fleece weights of the feral breed groups were approximately half that of their modern counterparts. Factors contributing to the low productivity were reduced staple length and follicle density, and a brief cessation of growth by some follicles during spring. The mean amplitude of rhythms in seasonal wool growth and fibre diameter increased with age, and appear to have converged to similar values, contrasting with their modern breed counterparts. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pearson AJ and Ashby MG and Sumner RMW and Nixon AJ}
}
@conference {40660,
	title = {A comparison of protocols for the photoperiodic induction of synchronised wool follicle growth cycles},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {55},
	year = {1995},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {35-38},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {This study endeavoured to characterise the effects of breed and  calving liveweight (CW) on postpartum (pp) ovarian activity in 16  Friesian (F) and 16 Jersey (J) heifers. Half of the animals within each  breed were differentially fed (High vs Low: H vs L) during the 8 weeks  before calving to achieve CWs (24 h pp) of 404 (FH), 354 (FL), 334 (JH)  and 279 (JL) kg. They were fully fed as one group after calving.  Ovarian ultrasonography showed that the FL group had the longest  postpartum anovulatory interval (PPAI) of 77 days compared to 47 days  among other groups. The second dominant follicle pp emerged 6 days  later in FL heifers. Breed, but not CW, affected follicle patterns in  the first normal oestrous cycle. Underfeeding of Friesian heifers  during late pregnancy extended the PPAI whereas Jerseys were not  affected to the same extent.   },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Craven AJ and Parry AL and Ashby MG and Pearson AJ}
}
@conference {40230,
	title = {Carcass and meat quality in possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {293-296},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Production data were collected over 4 years from a flock of 600   mixed-age Romney, Coopworth and Perendale ewes. There were   approximately equal numbers of each breed. Ewes within breeds and age   groups were randomly allocated to be shorn either once-yearly in   January, once-yearly in July or twice-yearly in January and July. All   ewes were grazed as a single mob throughout the year, except over mating   when they were divided into breed groups and joined with rams of their   own breed.     The twice-yearly shorn ewes gave birth to, and weaned, heavier lambs and   grew more total clean wool than the 2-once-yearly shorn groups which   were similar. Shearing treatment did not affect ewe live weight,   aspects of lamb production other than birth weight and weaning weight or   total greasy wool production. Incidence of casting was less than 1\%.     Net wool returns from the ewes shorn once-yearly in July exceeded that   of the ewes shorn twice-yearly which exceeded that of the ewes shorn   once-yearly in January.    },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Hogg BW and Catcheside LM and Mercer GJK and Pearson AJ and Ashby MG}
}
@conference {40234,
	title = {Changes in the fur quality of caged brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) maintained in captivity},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {311-316},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {This paper backgrounds important features which are likely to   influence the future of animal production in New Zealand. They include   the importance of being in the quality market, consumer attitudes,   market access and environmental/welfare concerns. In view of the   changing perceptions about animal production, the place of technology in   on-farm production needs to be carefully considered. Technologies can   be defined as {\textquoteright}soft{\textquoteright} or {\textquoteright}hard{\textquoteright}, the latter being those which introduce   major perturbations into the system. The impact on the whole system is   particularly important. The possibilities for genetic improvement are   considered in detail. The soft technology approach is favoured in that   it works with existing genetic variation but uses new technology   approach is concerned mainly with the development of transgenic animals.   Overall, developments in technology have much to contribute to the animal   industries in New Zealand, but the importance of off-farm issues such as   marketing, market access and product development are particularly  critical. There is a need to take a broad view of animal production in  considering the future.   },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pearson AJ and Ashby MG and MacGibbon RJ}
}
@conference {40140,
	title = {Effects of melatonin on body weight, appetite and seasonal fur growth in the ferret},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {49},
	year = {1989},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {47-52},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A controlled internal drug release device, containing progesterone (CIDR-B), was evaluated as an aid to reproductive management in beef cattle in 2 trials. In Trial 1, 223 animals, comprising 64 early calving cows, 61 late calving cows, 59 maiden cows and 39 15-month heifers (yearling heifers), were treated intravaginally with CIDR-B for either 12d (plus 10mg oestradiol benzoate; 12d CIDR-B + ODB) or for 15d (15d CIDR-B). CIDRs were reused for 5d in half the animals from 16d after initial use. In Trial 2, 145 animals, comprising 53 early calving cows, 43 late calving cows and 49 15 month heifers, were treated intravaginally with CIDR-B for either 14d (14d CIDR-B) or 21d (21d CIDR-B). At CIDR-B withdrawal, half of the animals received an intra-muscular injection of 400IU PMSG. In Trial 1, within 48h of CIDR-B withdrawal, 58\% and 54\% of the animals were mated in the 15d CIDR-B and 12d CIDR-B + ODB groups respectively. Within 96h, the incidence of mating was 87\% and 76\% respectively with the difference between treatments being more pronounced in cows (88\% v 74\%; P<0.05) than in yearling heifers (86\% v 84\%). In cows, pregnancy rate to mating over the first 4 days was 50\% in the 15d CIDR-B group and 67\% in the 12d CIDR-B + ODB group (P<0.05). In yearlings, there was an opposite tendency (71\% v 44\%; P>0.1). Final pregnancy rate was 92\% with no treatment group differences. CIDR-B ruse did not alter conception rates to first or second service but did synchronise returns. In Trial 2, within 4d of CIDR-B removal, 88\% and 97\% of the 14d CIDR-B and 21d CIDR-B groups had mated. In the 0 and 400 IU PMSG groups, 90\% and 95\% had mated. Pregnancy rate in treated animals to mating over the first 4 days following CIDR-B withdrawal were similar in the 14d CIDR-B and 21 CIDR-B groups (54\% v 57\%) and 0. and 400 IU PMSG groups (55\% v 56\%). However, pregnancy rate tended to be lower in yearling heifers compared to cows (46\% v 57\%; P>0.1). Final pregnancy rate tended to be higher in the 21d CIDR-B group than in the 14d CIDR-B group (89\% v 82\%; P>0.1). Fewer heifers were finally pregnant compared to early and late calving cows (74\% v 85\% v 95\%). In both trials, longer CIDR-B treatment intervals were associated with earlier and more synchronised matings. Acceptable pregnancy rates were achieved with CIDR-B treatment intervals of between 12d and 21d. These results indicate that CIDR-B treatment without supplementary hormones can produce acceptable synchrony and fertility in naturally mated suckling beef cows and yearling heifers.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Pearson AJ and Ashby MG and Staples LD}
}
