@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 = {Genetic parameters for velvet antler of farmed red deer and wapiti},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {82},
	year = {2022},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {77-81},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {<p>Deer breeding in New Zealand has historically paid little attention to quantitative genetic methods to improve the cut weights of velvet antlers. To provide enhanced breeding values for velvet antlers genetic parameters were estimated for DEERSelect. Velvet antler weight data was obtained from 21 red deer and 7 wapiti breeding studs and uploaded to DEERSelect. These data consisted of \&gt; 50,000 records from 25,087 individuals and 1,419 sires. Mean velvet weights ranged from 2.71 ({\textpm}1.01) at 2-years, to 5.79 ({\textpm}1.98) at 10-years of age. Estimates of heritability at different ages were moderately high (0.33-0.44), but lower than previously reported estimates. Genetic correlations were high at all ages, phenotypic correlations were lower, both were similar to those reported previously. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between 12-month liveweight and 2-year-old and mature (i.e., >= 3 -year-old) velvet weights were low (0.15 {\textpm} 0.03, 0.02 {\textpm} 0.03) and low-moderate respectively (0.24 {\textpm} 0.08, 0.18 {\textpm} 0.01). These updated genetic parameters encouraged an update of the DEERSelect velvet module. The moderate heritability estimates should encourage breeders to make much more use of this quantitative genetic tool to breed more accurately for increased velvet antler weights.</p>
},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and McIntyre SB and Jopson NB and Newman S-AN}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Can GreenFeed automated emissions monitoring systems measure methane output from young red deer grazing pasture?},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {93-98},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {and validation of methane-mitigation strategies for farmed deer requires a technology that can be deployed under grazing conditions. The GreenFeed automated emissions monitoring system (GAEM) integrated with an automated concentrate feeder has been successfully used to determine methane output from cattle but has not been tested with deer. The objective of this study was to evaluate large and small ruminant GAEM units with rising-yearling red deer, to determine if they would access the feed lure, and remain for sufficient duration in the hood of the unit to collect representative measurements of methane outputs. Groups of 14 mixed-sex red deer were used in three trials during spring of 2020. In each trial, approximately a third of individuals accessed the GAEM units after being habituated to the lucerne pellet lure, more than 85\% of visits were < 2 min. With further refinement of deer-training protocols and configuration of the GAEM, pasture-based methane outputs should be able to be measured for a proportion of any mob with access to the unit.

Keywords: GreenFeed; red deer; methane},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Bennett CP and Ward JF and Jonker A}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Is there sire variation in seasonal liveweight gain of rising-yearling red deer?},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {186-189},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Red deer exhibit the greatest seasonal control of nutritional physiology of farmed ruminants in New Zealand, highlighted by seasonal inappetence during winter, present in all sex and age classes. Four years of data from 2048 DNA-pedigreed mixed-sex progeny of 112 sires and 1069 dams from a red deer breeding stud were interrogated to investigate the hypothesis of sire variation in growth across seasons in rising yearlings. Analysis used 17145 live weights from progeny with >= 4 live weights to a minimum of 300 days of age. Estimates of the weights of all animals at the same age were calculated by fittinga restricted maximum likelihood model to adjust for multiple variables and create sire best linear unbiased predictions of rising-yearling growth. Liveweight gain was examined at 11 key seasonal ages. While overall post-weaning variation in liveweight gain was low (CV = 3.6-4.7\%), for seasonal periods it was higher (CV 9.2-15.5\%), with the greatest variability during the winter period (CV = 15.5\%). Ranking sires by the predicted proportion of gained live weight of their offspring over seasonal periods showed sire variation across different seasons. Such variation may be beneficial allowing genetic selection of animals to fit dferent farm systems.Keywords: red deer; Cervus elaphus; seasonality; growth; live weight},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Cox NR and McMahon CD and Stevens DR and Asher GW}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Evaluating anti-CarLA salivary IgA response in a deer progeny test},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {80},
	year = {2020},
	month = {09/2020},
	pages = {156-160},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus spp) are susceptible to infection by nematode parasites. A salivary antibody (IgA) that is naturally
produced in response to exposure to a nematode parasite carbohydrate larval surface antigen (CarLA) can provide a protection
against gastro-intestinal nematodes in sheep and rising-yearling farmed red deer. The concentrations of this CarLA-IgA were
measured in saliva samples collected at 6 and 10 months of age, in 1531 rising-yearling progeny of 36 sires across three farms
during a three-year progeny test. The CarLA-IgA concentrations differed across sires, farms and years, with 6-month levels being
much lower than 10-month levels. Heritability estimates were low (h2=0.10) for 6 months, but moderate and significant (h2=0.37,
P<0.05) for 10 months. These two traits were highly genetically correlated (rg=0.86) and moderately phenotypically correlated
(rp=0.27). There were low (rp 0.08-0.13) but significant (P<0.05) favourable phenotypic correlations with spring and pre-slaughter
live weight, and with growth rate from 3 to 10 months of age and 6 to 10 months of age. Sire variation and heritability of 10-month
response indicates that it may have utility as a selection criterion for improved ability of farmed deer to cope with nematode
challenge.
Keywords: red deer; nematode parasite; carbohydrate larval antigen; immune; Cervus elaphus},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Wheeler M and Shaw RJ and Asher GW}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {Relationships between deer temperament and production traits},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {79},
	year = {2019},
	month = {07/2019},
	pages = {32-36},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {It is well-recognised by producers that the temperament of farmed deer (Cervus elaphus spp.) influences how they respond to management practices, such as transport and yarding, but less is known about how temperament influences productivity. This study aimed to investigate relationships among temperament and production parameters by analysing a data set (n=1647) of rising one-year-old deer. Four production categories (growth, immune function, eye muscle and reproduction) and five measures of temperament were recorded from weaning until either pre-slaughter or after first mating (3 to 12 or 18 months of age) at different ages depending on the trait. Temperament traits had low heritability estimates (h2=0.01 to 0.17, P>0.05), indicating genetic selection for these traits would be slow. The temperament traits of animals were generally consistent from weaning (at 3 months) until slaughter (at 10-12 months). Animals that were calm and easy to handle grew faster and may have better immune function compared to animals that were more agitated in the presence of humans. More research is needed to investigate the relationships between temperament, immune function, reproduction and productivity in farmed deer. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Sch{\"u}tz KE and Wheeler M and Asher GW}
}
@article {3672,
	title = {The influence of dam live weight on the carcass weight of rising-yearling farmed red deer and wapiti crossbreds},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {78},
	year = {2018},
	month = {07/2018},
	pages = {62-65},
	address = {Lincoln},
	abstract = {The New Zealand Deer Industry set productivity improvement targets in 2012 for the following 10 years, many related to breeding
hinds. Increasing progeny carcass weight was the key trait of interest outside of hind reproductive performance. In this study,
the productive output of dams was investigated. Data were collected from red deer and wapiti crossbred progeny (n=2289) born
and raised on three farms over five years (2011-2015) from red deer dams (n=1353), mated to 51 red or wapiti stags. Data were
analysed using a restricted-maximum likelihood (REML) mixed-model approach to produce predictive models of dam production
outputs across a range of dam live weight. The most influential fixed effect in the model was sex, followed by dam mature weight.
Predictions were made for progeny carcass weight of male red deer, and of male and female wapiti crossbreds at a mean slaughter
age of 348 days from dam mature live weight. For the PIP target 115 kg red deer dam, the goal of a 64 kg progeny carcass was
not achieved in this population, with a 115kg red deer dam predicted to produce 58.0, 63.0 and 54.5 (SEM 0.7, 0.9 and 0.9) kg
carcasses for red male, wapiti crossbred male and females respectively. Industry should increase selection for hind productive
efficiency.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Meenken ED}
}
@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 = {DEERSelect {\textendash} review of the first decade},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {54-58},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {DEERSelect, the New Zealand deer industry performance recording system, has been operating since 2005 in red deer. Over that
period, the role and functionality of DEERSelect has grown, such that it is now central to all genetic information delivery to the
industry. Initially velvet and growth trait modules were included, with meat and reproduction trait modules added later. Economic
indexes were also developed, but have not been widely utilised. Evaluations were added for wapiti, to provide for all breed types.
Current desires are for wapiti and red deer to be combined in a single evaluation. Good genetic gains have been made, primarily in
growth traits. Impetus provided by the Deer Progeny Test (DPT), and increased breeder education has improved understanding of
best practice recording, leading to better data quality and herd connectedness. While DEERSelect is recognised by industry leaders
as being critical for genetic advancement, it still has limited stag-buyer adoption. Improved adoption will require a large extension
effort so commercial producers can interpret the impacts of breeding values in terms of changes in farm system performance and
profitability. The future is promising, with new traits, improvements on existing ones and breeders now valuing objective measures
of genetic merit.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and McIntyre SB and Newman S-AN and Asher GW}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Development and evaluation of a temperament-scoring system for farmed deer: genetic and environmental components},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {76},
	year = {2016},
	month = {07/2016},
	pages = {109-103},
	address = {Adelaide},
	abstract = {A temperament-scoring system for farmed red deer was developed and evaluated. Hinds (n=1102) and their progeny (n=1609)
from three farms were repeatedly scored (7867 observations in total) for aggression, agitation in a pen or when confined in a
crate, ease of handling, and exit speed from a crate. The animals were scored when yarded for management procedures by one
handler. Inter-observer reliability recorded on a separate occasion was between 70 and 82\%, measured as percentage agreement.
For progeny, heritability was for aggression:0.03{\textpm}0.024, agitation (pen):0.23{\textpm}0.077, agitation (crate):0.17{\textpm}0.056, ease of
handling:0.10{\textpm}0.037, and exit speed:0.04{\textpm}0.021, with a repeatability of 0.19{\textpm}0.018, 0.24{\textpm}0.022, 0.25{\textpm}0.017, 0.24{\textpm}0.015, and
0.17{\textpm}0.013, respectively (estimate{\textpm}SE of estimate for all preceding values). For hinds, repeatability was for aggression:0.23{\textpm}0.048,
agitation (pen):0.16{\textpm}0.068, agitation (crate):0.38{\textpm}0.052, ease of handling:0.45{\textpm}0.048, and exit speed:0.27{\textpm}0.061 (estimate{\textpm}SE of
estimate), respectively. Animals that were agitated in a pen were also more agitated in a crate (r=0.352 and 0.479 for progeny and
hinds, respectively), all other associations were weak (r<=0.228). Farm, year born, age, and drafting order, but not sex, influenced
most temperament scores. Temperament of red deer can reliably be scored in a yard. Agitation showed a moderate genetic
component and could, therefore, be included in future breeding programmes.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sch{\"u}tz KE and Ward JF and Cox NR and Asher GW}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Developing genomic tools in the New Zealand Deer Industry},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {91-93},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Rowe SJ and Clarke SM and Van Stijn TC and Hyndman DL and Ward JF and McEwan KM and Dodds KG and McEwan JC and Newman S-AN and Asher GW}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {Evaluation of production traits of red deer skins in the Deer Progeny Test.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {75},
	year = {2015},
	month = {07/2015},
	pages = {114-118},
	address = {Dunedin},
	abstract = { Skins, hides and leather from deer are a valuable co-product of New Zealand venison production. Measurement of skin traits was
included in the Deer Progeny Test to evaluate options for genetic selection, and to determine if selection for other production traits
risks diminishing the quality of deer skins and leather. Skins of slaughtered eleven-month-old progeny (n=310) from terminal
(wapiti crossbred) and maternal (red) sire types were evaluated for 18 different quantitative and qualitative traits throughout
processing to pearl-crust leather. All processing was carried out by New Zealand Light Leathers. All traits were analysed using
least squares means models with sire as the random term and pre-slaughter live weight as a covariate. For all traits except evenness
grade of the pearl-crust leather, the relationship with pre-slaughter live weight covariate was significant (p<0.05) and positive. Sire
had a significant effect (p<0.01) on eight traits including critical strength and finished-leather attributes (p<0.01), farm was also
significant for eight traits (p<0.01). Average skin thickness was similar to published values. Sire can have an effect on important
traits, and selection for higher slaughter weights of yearling red deer is predicted overall to increase the quality of skins and leather
produced.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Mathias-Davis HC and Cooper SM and Crawford EM and Wheeler M and Asher GW}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: An evaluation of the sensory traits of venison},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {226-228},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {New Zealand venison is a well-regarded export product in Europe and quality is a key philosophy of the deer industry. As production targets increase understanding consumer preferences is important to ensure the eating quality of venison is maintained alongside these goals. Using data available from the Deer Progeny Test (Ward et al. 2014) this study aims to assess the quality of data from a sensory evaluation and investigate relationships between sensory traits and the overall acceptability of venison...},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Mathias-Davis HC and Ward JF and Dodds KG and Everett-Hincks JM and Maclennan G}
}
@conference {3678,
	title = {Design and implementation of the Deer Progeny Test (DPT)},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {74},
	year = {2014},
	month = {06/2014},
	pages = {220-225},
	address = {Napier},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Archer JA and Asher GW and Everett-Hincks JM and Mathias-Davis HC}
}
@conference {69522,
	title = {Can ultrasound eye muscle area scanning be used in the New Zealand deer industry?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {275-277},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {The New Zealand Deer Industry Productivity Strategy 2009-2014 (Deer Industry New Zealand, 2009) aims to increase deercarcass weight by 10\% and introduce a carcass yield module to their performance recording database DEERSelect. In other livestock species real-time ultrasonography offers a non-invasive, non-destructive, standardised muscle measurement on live breeding stock (Faulkner et al.,1990). Ultrasound scanning allows eye muscle (M. longissimus dorsi)dimensions and cross-sectional area to be recorded as traits for genetic evaluation in the Sheep (SIL) and Beef (BREEDPLAN) performance recording databases.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Archer JA and Farmer RJ and Sweetman MF and Nicoll GB and JV Yuan}
}
@conference {42075,
	title = {Carcass and meat quality characteristics in young deer stags of different growth rates},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {174-177},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {Fourteen male yearling red deer from the same cohort were included in this study. Seven of these animals were fast growing and reached slaughter live weight in late June (fast growing group), while the second group of seven deer did not reach slaughter live weight until early December (slower growing group). All animals were slaughtered according to standard protocol. Carcass composition was determined by computed tomography scanning. Water-holding capacity, meat pH, tenderness and sarcomere length were measured in samples (M. longissimus) at 1 day post slaughter and in samples kept in chilled storage at -1.5 {\textdegree}C for three weeks. Eating quality of the meat was evaluated in consumer preference tests. Slower growing deer were heavier (P = 0.02) and had more fat in the shoulder (P = 0.01) and loin (P = 0.001) cuts than fast growing deer. Meat from fast growing deer had lower pH values (P = 0.01), lower cooking loss (P = 0.04) and longer sarcomere lengths (P = 0.002) than slower growing deer. Consumers judged the flavour of venison from fast growing deer to be best (P = 0.005), although interactions between the sensory attributes and the consumer{\textquoteleft}s experience of venison affected their assessment. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Wiklund E and Asher GW and Archer JA and Ward JF and Littlejohn RP}
}
@conference {41821,
	title = {Does calf genotype influence milk yield of red deer hinds ?},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {170-171},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {New Zealand deer farming systems utilise Cervus elaphus subspecies and crossing genotypes is a common tool to gain a productive advantage. One of the most common crosses is that of a stag with a high content of North American Wapiti (C. e. manitobensis, nelsoni, roosevelti) over the traditional New Zealand (NZ) red hind of English or Scottish origin (C. e. scoticus) for venison production, with on the aim of attaining slaughter live weight ...Continued },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Archer JA and Asher GW and Barrell GK and Littlejohn RP}
}
@conference {41786,
	title = {Energy rather than protein content of hind intake determines growth rate of reed deer calves},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {45-46},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {Live weight gain of red deer within the first 3 to 4 months of their life plays a major part in determining the efficiency of venison production systems. Over this period young deer are largely dependant on their dam for nutrition. It is often difficult to achieve growth rates greater than 400 g/d in New Zealand because red deer lactation coincides with deteriorating pasture quality. However, calf growth rates of up to 700 g/day have been achieved over late lactation when },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scott IC and Archer JA and Asher GW and Stevens DR and Ward JF and Littlejohn RP and Lach JE}
}
@conference {42074,
	title = {Genetic parameters for growth in Wapiti deer farmed in New Zealand},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {172-173},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {The New Zealand deer industry commonly uses "Wapiti" type deer as terminal sires mated to "red" hinds in venison production systems. The terms "Elk" and "Wapiti" are commonly used almost interchangeably in the New Zealand deer industry to describe subspecies of red deer originating in North America (Cervus elaphus subspecies manitobensis, roosevelti and nelsoni). These subspecies are approximately twice the mature body size of "red" deer ...Continued },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Archer JA and Ward JF and Fisher PJ and Glass BC}
}
@conference {41986,
	title = {Comparison of suckling frequency of red and F1 wapiti-red calves reared on red hinds},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {237-241},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {In New Zealand venison production systems crossbreeding red hinds with wapiti stags is very common. The resultant wapiti-red crossbred offspring is a larger, fastergrowing animal than its red counterpart. How do these crossbred progeny grow faster on a red hind? We hypothesised that the crossbred progeny would have increased milk intakes, which would be reflected in increased suckling of their red hind dams. A pasture based lactation experiment was conducted over the {\textquoteright}natural{\textquoteright} (non-weaned) suckling period (birth Nov/Dec. to Sep.) with F1 wapiti-red crossbred single and twin calves (n=11) naturally reared by red hinds (n=9), and red calves (n=8) naturally reared by red hinds (n=8). Suckling behaviour was observed at least one day per month between dawn and dusk. Suckling bout frequency, duration and time of day were recorded for all calves and any allosuckling was also noted. We found no significant differences (p >0.05) in suckling bout time, frequency or total time spent suckling between red or wapiti crossbred offspring. The only confirmed allosuckling was between individuals from different sets of twins. The F1 wapiti-red crossbred offspring were 30\% heavier, with growth rates up to 39\% greater than their red cohorts. These results have interesting implications for the red hind crossbred calf venison production system; do the wapitired crossbred calves consume more milk? If so how do they influence the hind{\textquoteright}s milk production? Do they consume more pasture and/or substitute it for milk? Better understanding of these factors should help increase calf growth rates during lactation.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Archer JA and O{\textquoteright}Neill KT and Littlejohn RP}
}
@conference {41705,
	title = {New perspectives on deer reproduction , growth and production efficiency},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {78-81},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Reproduction and growth intersect during lactation. Lactation is the period when the initial productivity of the calf is expressed and much ofthe potential production efficiency is set. Examples of recent advances in our understanding of productivity systems in deer farming are summarised. Experimentation in lactation has highlighted new information that can improve on-farm production. Recent research has given an understanding of the lactational outputs of the hind rearing either a red or F1 wapiti crossbred calf. Further experimentation has examined the role of protein and energy in determining calf growth. Other research has quantified both hind and calf intake and live weight change during late lactation. The impacts of these developments are discussed.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Stevens DR and Asher GW and Archer JA and Scott IC and Ward JF and O{\textquoteright}Neill KT and Corson ID}
}
@conference {41866,
	title = {Development of a {\textquoteright}Wapiti Score{\textquoteright} visual assessment tool for determining introgression of Wapiti genes in young red deer},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {55-58},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Red deer are the predominant farmed breed type in New Zealand, but crossbreeding red females with wapiti (or elk) males in a terminal sire system is common. Introgression of wapiti genes into the national red deer breeding hind herd has been shown to have a negative impact on the pregnancy rate of 16-18 month old hinds. We devised a four point visual scoring system ({\textquoteleft}Wapiti Score{\textquoteright}), based on wapiti phenotype characteristics, for application to weaner (6-10 month old) red deer, to allow rapid detection of wapiti introgression. This scoring system was trialled and refined using 449 rising-one-year-old red deer of mixed genotype and sex on a commercial breeding and finishing farm, during three pelage phases. For a subset of 186 animals {\textquoteleft}Wapiti Score{\textquoteright} was compared to the DNA based GenomnzTM GenometerTM G3 Hybrid Test {\textquoteleft}Estimated Elk{\textquoteright} (EstElk), where EstElk; is the estimated proportion of wapiti (elk) genes in an individual animal predicted by the GenometerTM. A significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between EstElk and {\textquoteleft}Wapiti Score{\textquoteright} for two independent observers, with an increase of one point in {\textquoteleft}Wapiti Score{\textquoteright} corresponding to an increase of approximately 0.10 in EstElk. The strongest correlation between Wapiti Score and EstElk were from the winter and spring scores. The effectiveness of Wapiti Score as a tool for classifying young deer by breed-type (red deer or wapiti ) was assessed using 0.2 EstElk as the breed-type threshold and comparing that against different selection Wapiti Scores (1-3). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Ward JF and Scott IC and Asher GW and Littlejohn RP}
}
@conference {41840,
	title = {Puberty in red deer hinds : (2) Effects of introducing spiker stags in early January},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {312-315},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {Calving date of yearling red deer hinds is, on average, two weeks later than that of adult hinds, further misaligning feed quality with nutritional requirements. The hypothesis that early joining of spiker stags with yearling red deer hinds would increase pregnancy rate and advance date of conception was studied. Yearling hinds (n = 309) were grazed in one group at least 500 m from any stags from the first week in November until 14 January when hinds were weighed, wapiti scored and randomly allocated to either an early stag joining (ES) or control (C) treatment. ES hinds were grazed as one group with 20 spiker stags and C hinds were kept in paddocks well removed from stags. On 2 March, all hinds were weighed again and 20 spiker stags joined with the C hinds. ES and C groups were grazed separately until being combined in mid-April. The stags were removed on 18 May, and hinds ultrasound pregnancy scanned on 1 June. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between ES and C treatments in mean wapiti score (1.8 vs 1.8, SED = 0.08), live weight (January: 79.8 vs 79.0 kg, SED = 0.86; March: 86.4 vs 85.8 kg, SED = 0.85), fetal age (48.5 vs 46.8 days, SED = 1.0) or percent hinds pregnant (85.7 vs 88.7 \%, SED = 3.5). The probability of hind pregnancy increased significantly with live weight within wapiti score classes and decreased with increasing wapiti score (P<0.01), such that, with mean class live weights of 75, 81, 88 and 95 kg, the expected percentage of pregnant hinds was 95, 91, 88 and 73 \% for wapiti scores of 1, 2, 3 and 4+, respectively. Fetal age increased by 0.11 (SEM 0.054) day for every 1 kg increase in January live weight (P < 0.05), but showed no significant relationship with wapiti score. These data indicate that early joining of spiker stags did not significantly improve the pregnancy rate or advance conception date of yearling red deer hinds.
KEYWORDS: red deer hinds; puberty; early stag joining. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scott IC and Ward JF and O{\textquoteright}Neill KT and Littlejohn RP}
}
