@conference {69485,
	title = {Factors affecting dressing-out percentage of lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {121-126},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {The trial objective was to determine if hot carcass dressing out percentage (DO\%) calculated as hot carcass weight/live weight, differed with either lamb pre-slaughter live weight (SlLW) or total tissue depth over the 12th rib (GR) and to identify other factors altering DO\%. Data from ten experiments showed that SlLW only accounted for small, and measured GR moderate, amounts of variation in DO\%. DO\% was increased; by increasing the pre-slaughter fasting time; by increasing pasture allowance and by feeding more digestible forages such as clover, chicory or plantain versus grass based pasture. Similar trends occurred with the relationship between GR and DO\%. At the same SlLW wether lambs had a lower DO\% than female lambs but at the same GR there were no gender differences. At the same SlLW and GR, faster growing lambs had a lower DO\%. While many factors significantly altered DO\% including SlLW or GR, large amounts of variation in DO\% remained unexplained.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Dynes RA and Moss RA}
}
@conference {42064,
	title = {Counting infective-stage nematode larvae in rumen fluid as an indicator of parasite challenge in grazing sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {130-133},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {The aim of this study was to evaluate rumen fluid sampling as a novel method for quantifying nematode challenge encountered by grazing sheep. In Experiment 1, rumen fluid samples were seeded with known numbers of third stage infective larvae (L3) of Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Cooperia curticei. Immediate recovery rates averaged 92\% (Coefficient of variation, 13\%), 53\% (15\%) and 50\% (30\%) for each species respectively. Recovery rates from rumen fluid stored at 7{\textdegree}C decreased to 44\% (29\%), 33\% (18\%) and 0\% (0\%) after 72 hours. In Experiment 2, 15 ewe hoggets maintained indoors were dosed with 5,000 L3 T. circumcincta and 5,000 L3 T. colubriformis. At 1, 2 and 12 hours after dosing the numbers of L3 recovered from the rumen fluid were 0.2 (125\%), 0.16 (145\%) and 0.01 L3/mL (300\%) respectively. In Experiment 3, rumen fluid samples were taken from small groups of lambs grazing four paddocks with variable herbage infestation rates of mixed species of L3. Species composition of L3 on the herbage and in the rumen fluid was T. circumcincta 8\% and 0\%; T. colubriformis 27\% and 19\%; C. curticei 0\% and 5\%; Nematodirus spp. 63\% and 69\% and Haemonchus contortus 2\% and 9\%. A significant number of technical challenges remain before the method has a practical application. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Deighton DL}
}
@conference {41810,
	title = {Quantifying parasitic nematode larvae on pasture},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {124-127},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {The aim of this study was to explore sources of paddock and laboratory variability in parasitic third stage larval (L3) tests. Recovery of Teladorsagia circumcincta larvae was greater than Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae recovery from water (60 vs 43\%; P <0.005), from water contaminated with soil (55 vs 36\%; P <0.03) and from water with pasture (27 and 6\%; P <0.001). Recoveries following seeding with either T. circumcincta or T. colubrifomis L3s onto pasture were similar (44\% vs 56\% respectively). Naturally contaminated pasture samples had similar mean larval number (larvae/kg DM) following extraction using either the plastic bag method (566) or Baermanns extraction (533). Pasture plucking to ground level 50, 100, 150 or 300 times had L3s 1,390 (range 406 - 3,846), 1250 (0 - 4,878), 360 (0 - 1,069) and 450 (182 - 742)/kg DM respectively (P },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Deighton DL}
}
@conference {41792,
	title = {Systems and economic analysis of use of maize silage within pasture-based beef production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {63-66},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {The productivity and profitability of the use of maize silage (MS) within pasture-based beef production systems was evaluated using the Farmax Pro{\textregistered} model. Farm systems were simulated based on an intensive one year-old steer production system with two pasture growth patterns (Waikato and Hawkes Bay), three different proportions of the farm in MS production (0\%, 5\% or 10\%) and MS fed either during winter (W) or summer (S). MS cost 13.5 and 16.1 c/kg dry matter (DM) for Waikato and Hawkes Bay respectively. This price included the cost of growing, harvesting, ensiling and feeding. Beef schedule prices were based on $1.80/kg live weight (LW). Feeding MS increased beef production in all scenarios tested by a mean of 36\% with values of 427, 581 and 576 kg net meat/ha/year for the no MS, S and W feeding systems respectively. Farm profitability (gross margin per hectare) was increased by feeding MS in W and S, with values of $934 and $754 respectively, compared with the no MS system of $636. MS feeding was still profitable at a schedule price of $1.40/kg LW and at higher MS costs up to 23 c/kg DM. Appropriate use of MS in beef production systems can substantially improve animal performance and farm profitability. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Carracelas JG and Boom CJ and Litherland AJ and WMcG King and Williams ID}
}
@conference {41702,
	title = {Calcium balance in mid and late pregnancy and vaginal prolapse},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {61-67},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Given the hypothesis that Ca status may be implicated in bearings, the purpose of the research in 
experiment 1 was to observe Ca status in old twinewes in normal commercial conditions to determine 
whether an association exists, and in the second experiment to manipulate Ca status to determine its effects 
on the incidence of bearings. In experiment 1, Romney ewes, scanned as twin (n=12) or single (n=12) 
pregnant, on each of 7 farms were identified and sampled at approximately 60, 30 and 7 d before the onset of 
flock lambing. Whole flock bearing incidence was recorded. Eleven to 41\% of pregnant ewes from different 
farms had marginal serum Ca and Mg concentrations at 60 and 30 d before onset of lambing. No relationship 
was found between serum minerals and metabolite concentration and bearing incidence among farms. 
The objective of experiment 2 was to reduce bearings on farms with high historical incidences of bearings 
by increasing Ca loss in urine in mid-pregnancy (60 to30 d pre-lambing) followed by increasing Ca supply 
in late-pregnancy (30 to 0 d pre-lambing). Five farmers fed 100 twin pregnant ewes 35 g of anionic salts in 
300-500 g of supplemental pellets (DCAB -814 meq/kgDM) from 60 to 30 d before lambing. From 30 d 
these ewes were then injected with 4 ml of a long-acting vitamin D formulation (5 farms) while one farm 
also had an additional group supplemented with Ca (8g lime (ground calcium carbonate) /ewe) in an attempt 
to increase Ca availability. In addition, groups of ewes not treated withanionic salts were injected with 
vitamin D (2 farms) or supplemented with Ca (1 farm) from 30 d. Following consumption of anionic pellets 
in mid-pregnancy, the pH of the ewes{\textquoteright} urine was lower and urinary Ca:creatinine ratios were higher after 2 
(6.73 vs. 7.32, P<0.002; 0.47 vs. 0.16, P<0.003) and 4 weeks (6.26 vs.7.23, P<0.001; 0.58 vs. 0.14, P<0.003) 
of treatment. However, neither the feeding of anionic salts in mid-pregnancy nor the Ca or vitamin D 
supplements in late-pregnancy consistently changed Ca serum concentrations or bearing incidence. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Knight TW and Lambert MG and Cook TG and McDougal DBO and Day A}
}
@conference {41955,
	title = {The effects of zeranol or zinc supplementation before lambing on the incidence of vaginal prolapse in twinning ewes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {68-72},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {The objectives were to determine whether Zeranol (ZER) and its metabolites or pharmacological zinc levels could change the incidence of vaginal prolapse(bearings) in ewes. In the ZER experiment 100 twin pregnant ewes were controls, a further 50 ewes each received either two low (24 mg and then 12 mg) or two high (36 mg and then 24 mg) doses of zeranol (ZER) implants separated by a four-week interval with 65\% of treated ewes receiving an additional 12 mg implant at set stocking. Urine samples were collected from 12 ewes, twice weekly, bulked into three samples and analysed for Zearalenone (ZEN), ZER and creatinine. Two weeks after receiving an implant, the ZER:creatinine ratio increased from 2.6 in C ewes to 21, 30 and 36 and the ZEN ratio from 3.25 to 6.7, 10.8 and 14.7 following treatment with 12, 24 and 36 mg of ZER (P<0.01). One month after treatment the ZER and ZEN ratios had decreased but were still higher in treated than control ewes (ZER 3.6 vs.11, P<0.01; ZEN 1.2 vs.5.2, P<0.01). The bearing incidence was 3\%, 2\% and 2\% for control, low and high dose ZER respectively. In the second experiment 100 scanned twin or triplet pregnant ewes were administered with 72 g of zinc oxide (The Time Capsule {\textregistered}) as a ruminal bolus 4-6 weeks before lambing on four farms with historical high incidences of bearings. Pre-treatment and all control serum zinc concentrations were low (9.4 {\textpm}0.2 mmol/L) but not considered deficient. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc concentrations to 21.5 mmol/L (P<0.001). Bearing incidence was higher (P<0.001) in zinc-treated (4\%) than in control ewes (1.9\%). In conclusion, bearings are not caused by ingestion of ZEN in late pregnancy. The role of zinc in bearings warrants further study.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Knight TW and McDougall DBO and Cook TG and Sprosen J and Lambert MG}
}
@conference {41853,
	title = {Digestion kinetics of New Zealand native flax},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2005},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {367-371},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {This experiment compares the nutritive value of New Zealand native flax, Phormium tenax, by-products i.e. leaves (L), butts (B), thrash-stripped fibre (F) and green matter (G), with white clover (WC) via digestion kinetics derived from in vitro and in sacco incubations. The WC had a high nutritive quality (11.1 MJME/kg DM, CP 28\% DM), G a moderate (10.1 MJME/kg DM, CP 9\% DM), and L, B, F were of very low nutritive quality (< 8 MJME/kg DM, CP < 6 \% DM). After 24 hours, 96, 76, 47, 47, and 30 \% of the DM was degraded for WC, G, L, B and F, respectively (P < 0.001). The degradation rates (\%/h) of digestible DM were faster (P < 0.001) for WC (13) and G (11) than B (3.8), L (4.6) and F (2.7). Flax by-products had a net loss of ammonia after 2 (B), 4 (F and L) and 8 hours (G). The proportion of DM converted to VFA by 8 hours was 21 \%, and 14 \% for WC and G respectively, but only 9-10 \% for the other flax by-products (P < 0.001). The feeding model BestFeed{\texttrademark} predicted that G could grow a 500 kg bull at 0.8 kg/day and had potential as a supplement for pasture-fed animals.
KEYWORDS: flax; Phormium tenax; in sacco; in vitro; digestion kinetics; nutritive value; forage ration, BestFeed. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Layton DL and Burke JL and Corson DC and Peters JS}
}
@conference {41503,
	title = {Effect of ergot alkaloids on liveweight gain and urine lysergol level in ewe hoggets and heifers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {192-196},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Ingestion of ergot alkaloids can reduce live-weight gain (LWG) in sheep and cattle. The objective of this experiment was to determine if the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for urinary lysergol level provided an accurate measure of ergot alkaloid dietary intake. Forty hoggets and 60 heifers were fed ryegrass seed containing ergovaline (EV) (0.0 to 75.0 {\textmu}g EV/kg LW hogget; 0.0 to 35.0 {\textmu}g EV/kg LW heifer) daily. The feeding trial was repeated after 30 days for the hoggets. Urine lysergol:creatinine ratio increased linearly for hoggets from 1.91 to 5.80 (P<0.001) and LWG was linearly suppressed from 110 to 60 g/d (P<0.01) and 30 days later, from 35 to -130 g/d (P<0.05) for intakes of 0.0 to 75.0 {\textmu}g EV/kg LW. Heifer urine lysergol:creatinine ratio increased linearly from 1.60 to 5.21 and LWG declined from 1.0 to 0.85 kg/d for intakes of 0.0 to 35.0 {\textmu}g EV/kg LW (P<0.05). Urinary lysergol:creatinine ratio increased by 0.056 {\textpm} 0.007 (P<0.001, r2 = 0.67) in hoggets and by 0.082 {\textpm} 0.006 (P<0.001, r2 = 0.77) in heifers, for every 1 {\textmu}g EV/kg LW consumed. These studies demonstrated a strong relationship between ergot alkaloid dietary intake and urine lysergol:creatinine ratio. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Layton DL and Fletcher LR and Litherland AJ and Scannell MG and Sprosen J and Hoogendoorn CJ and Lambert MG}
}
@conference {41504,
	title = {Ill-thrift in young growing cattle and sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2004},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {197-202},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {A questionnaire survey was designed to gauge consumer interest in goat meat.  The questionnaire was responded to  by 98 households living in or near Tokyo. The main results of the survey are as follows. 1) Impression of goat meat;  61\% of the respondents indicated that goat meat was {\`\i}not common in their home{\^\i}. 2) Consumer experience; only 16\%  of the respondents had experience of eating goat meat and they felt goat meat is {\`\i}smelly{\^\i}(50\%), {\`\i}tender{\^\i}(38\%) and  {\`\i}delicious{\^\i}(31\%). 3) The two main reasons why consumers have not eaten goat meat were {\`\i}lack of purchasing  opportunity{\^\i}(78\%) and {\`\i}don{\'\i}t feel like eating it{\^\i}(18\%). 4) Options to promote goat meat consumption; 52\% of  respondents who have not eaten goat meat were prepared  to purchase if it was available in the supermarket at a  reasonable price and if recipes were added with the meat package. 5) Reasons for people not purchasing goat meat  included {\`\i}dislike of new meat{\^\i} and {\`\i}pity for the goat{\^\i}.  These results show that goat meat can be promoted to the Japanese households as {\`\i}a new product{\^\i} if the price is  reasonable and recipes are added to the package. However,  a considerable number of market strategies need to be  implemented to achieve the acceptance of goat meat by Japanese consumers.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Layton DL and Boom CJ and Knight TL and Hyslop M and Lambert MG and Cook TL}
}
@conference {41333,
	title = {Seasonal variations in pasture quality on New Zealand sheep and beef farms},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {62},
	year = {2002},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {138-142},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Nineteen sheep and beef farmers in the Waikato, Tararua, Canterbury and Southland regions collected two pre-grazing pasture samples offered to either lambs or bulls once every month from autumn 2000 to autumn 2001. One sample of pasture on offer was collected to ground level and the other was hand plucked to represent pasture selected by animals. The samples were analysed by NIRS for chemical composition and dissected into morphological components. Energy concentration of herbage was lowest in autumn and highest in spring. Energy concentrations of offered pasture were 8.1, 9.2, 7.6 and 10.0 MJME/kg DM in autumn and 10.3, 11.6, 10.8 and 11.4 MJME/kg DM in spring in Waikato, Tararua, Canterbury and Southland, respectively. Crude-protein, fibre and soluble-carbohydrate concentrations reflected the changes in ME. Variations in dead material and reproductive stem were the main causes of changes in ME. Predicted liveweight gain of 350-kg bulls grazing pasture with a pre- and post-grazing herbage mass of 2500 and 1500 kgDM/ha respectively, were 0.4, 0.8, 0.0, and 1.1 kg/d in autumn, and 1.2, 1.5, 1.4 and 1.6 kg/d in spring, for Waikato, Tararua, Canterbury and Southland regions, respectively. It is concluded that high animal performance in summer and autumn may not be achieved in summer-warm regions without the addition of high-quality forages or supplements. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Woodward SJR and Stevens DR and McDougal DB and Boom CJ and Knight TL and Lambert MG}
}
@conference {41230,
	title = {Can a mathematical model accurately predict intake of grazing animals? Testing the Q-Graze model},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {61},
	year = {2001},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {4-7},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Christchurch},
	abstract = {A decision support model, Q-Graze, was developed to assist farmers with grazing management decisions based on visual assessments of pasture quality. To evaluate the model{\textquoteright}s ability to predict dry matter intake and diet composition, it was tested against pre- and post-grazing herbage mass and composition data from a trial conducted at the Whatawhata Research Centre involving bulls and steers grazing mixed-species hill pasture. Q-Graze was able to predict apparent intakes of grass leaf, grass stem, legume, weed, dead material and total dry matter with means and residual standard deviations 6.4 {\textpm} 1.5, 0.6 {\textpm} 1.3, 1.3 {\textpm} 0.7, 1.2 {\textpm} 0.8, 1.5 {\textpm} 1.4 and 10.6 {\textpm} 2.3 kg DM per animal per day, respectively. These predictions accounted for R2 = 83\%, 15\%, 76\%, 73\%, 54\% and 55\%, respectively of the variation in the apparent intakes calculated from the data. This indicates that Q-Graze is able to predict herbage intake and diet selection of cattle grazing mixed hill-country pastures to a high degree of correlation. The limiting factor was the measurement error of pre- and post-grazing herbage mass, rather than the model design. Model testing for additional animal and pasture types is currently being undertaken. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Woodward SJR and Lambert MG and Litherland AJ and Boom CJ}
}
@conference {41158,
	title = {Herbage quality and growth rate of single and twin lambs at foot},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {60},
	year = {2000},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {55-57},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {Single and twin lamb growth rates, herbage mass and quality were monitored 3-5 times from birth to weaning on 6 farms in the southern North Island. Lambs (n = 50-80/farm) were tagged and weighed at birth, and ewes (n = 20-50/farm) grazing with the monitored lambs were tagged and weighed from docking. The average live weight gain (LWG) from birth to weaning was 273 g/d (229-311) and 220 g/d (152-279) for single and twin lambs respectively (P<0.001) and remained relatively static over the lactation period. Mean herbage energy concentration averaged 10.5 MJME/kg DM during the first two months of lactation but had declined to 8.9 by weaning (P<0.001). In conclusion, twin lamb growth rates on hill country are considerably lower than those of single lambs. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Lambert MG}
}
@conference {41155,
	title = {Incidence of bearings in ewes that had a bearing the preceding lambing},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {60},
	year = {2000},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {44-46},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {In the summer of 1998/9, 220 mixed-age breeding ewes were obtained from eight North Island farms. Half of these ewes had had a bearing in 1998 (PB ewes) and the other half were flock mates that had not (NB ewes). Ewes were fed in excess of their requirements from eight weeks before lambing and ewe condition had increased by 0.4 CS units by lambing. At scanning 15\% of PB ewes were dry compared to 10\% of the NB ewes. Pregnant PB and NB ewes also had similar scanning percentages (151\% vs 142\% respectively). Twenty percent of PB ewes had a bearing in 1999 (17\% in single and 29\% in twin pregnant ewes) compared with 0\% in NB ewes (P<0.001). Pre-lambing bearings occurred 18 {\textpm}2 days (2-33 days) before lambing. There was a 5\% bearing incidence after lambing. Eleven percent of the ewes treated for bearings died before lambing and 78\% of surviving treated ewes produced a live lamb. In conclusion, high feeding levels in late pregnancy do not necessarily cause bearings. Ewes with bearings should be clearly identified and culled as they are more likely to have bearings the following year.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Lambert MG and Knight TW and Cook T and McDougal DB}
}
@conference {41092,
	title = {Effects of herbage mass and ewe condition score at lambing on lamb survival and liveweight gain},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {104-107},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Scanned, twin-bearing mixed aged ewes (n=1276) were set-stocked (7.5 {\textpm} 0.1 ewes ha-1) over the lactation period at either high or low condition score (CS) (2.51 vs 1.52) and high or low herbage mass (HM) (1160 vs 880 kg DM ha-1 ) in an experiment replicated on 5 farms in Wairarapa. Three farms lambed early (27 August to 4 September 1997) and were summer-dry and two lambed later (22 to 27 September 1997) and were summer-wet. High ewe CS may have improved lamb survival (167 vs 150\%, P=0.13) through reduction in estimated lamb mortality (17 vs 25\%, P<0.01) on late lambing farms where weather conditions were adverse at lambing, but had no effect on early lambing farms where lambing conditions were more favourable. Ewe CS had no effect on either lamb or ewe LWG. High HM may have reduced lamb mortality on early lambing farms (10 vs 14\%, P<0.05) where ewes were under greater nutritional stress than on late farms. Additional HM at set-stocking increased lamb LWG up to docking by 11 g d-1 per 100 kg DM ha-1 increase (P<0.03) on early farms but had no effect on late farms. Lamb LWG from docking to weaning was unaffected by set-stocking HM. The overall effect of an increase in set-stocking HM by 100 kg DM ha-1 was to increase lamb weaning weight by 2 kg on early farms. Additional HM at set stocking increased ewe LWG from birth to docking by 33 g d-1 per 100 kg DM ha-1 increase (P<0.001) but decreased LWG from docking to weaning by 18 g d -1 per 100 kg DM ha-1 increase. This response was similar on early and late lambing farms. On early farms there was a net increase in ewe liveweight at weaning of 1.6 kg for each 100 kg DM ha -1 increase in lambing HM. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Lambert MG and Litherland AJ and McLaren PN}
}
@conference {41021,
	title = {Effect of prior ram-ewe contact on the ability of rams to stimulate early oestrus},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {178-180},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Ram-ewe contact when ewes are in anoestrus may reduce the ram{\textquoteleft}s ability to stimulate oestrous activity in ewes. Conversely, oestrus ewes increase the ram{\textquoteright}s ability to stimulate ewes, possibly by increasing plasma testosterone concentration (T). On 25 November, 400 Romney ewes and 12 Dorset teasers were each randomised into 2 groups. One group of ewes and rams were joined while the others were isolated from the opposite sex. On 14 January (day 0) half of each group of ewes was joined for 35 days with either rams which had been previously exposed or not exposed to ewes, and mating marks were recorded each week. In a second experiment, 16 Romney rams were introduced (day 0) to oestrus or non-oestrus ewes and bled on days -1, 0, 2 and 5, and the blood plasma analysed for T. Rams not previously exposed to ewes stimulated more ewes to exhibit oestrus by day 35 than rams previously exposed to ewes (46\% vs. 30\%; P<0.01). Ewes previously exposed and those not exposed to rams responded similarly to ram stimulation, and by day 35 there was no difference in percentage of ewes mated. Both oestrus and anoestrus ewes increased T in rams on day 0. On day 2, T had returned to day -1 levels for rams with anoestrus ewes but increased further in rams with oestrus ewes (0.67 vs. 2.34 ng/ml; P<0.05). },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Knight TW and Ridland M and Litherland AJ}
}
@conference {41044,
	title = {The relationship between carotenoid concentration and fat colour in beef carcasses},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {256-258},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Relationships between carotenoid concentration, chromameter (L* a* b*), and subjective measurements of fat colour were calculated from 15 mobs of cattle. Carotenoid concentration accounted for 60\% of the variation in b* (n=514), but b* accounted for only 16\% of the variation in subjectively measured fat colour (n=732). Neither the inclusion of other variables (e.g. carcass weight or fat depth) nor transformation of the data substantially improved these relationships. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Knight TW and Death AF and Boom CJ and Litherland AJ}
}
@conference {40585,
	title = {The effect of manipulation of plasma prolactin concentration on cashmere growth in spring},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {143-146},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Domperidone was administered to cashmere goats at 2.5 mg/day either by  
a daily subcutaneous injection at 1000 hours (INJ, n=6) or by a subcutaneously  
fitted osmotic minipump (OSP, n=6).  There was an untreated control group (C,  
n=5).  The treatments commenced on 13 September 1991 and continued for 14  
days. 
 
Daily plasma prolactin concentrations at 1200 hours measured across the 14  
days of treatment were 612{\textpm}32, 73{\textpm}35, and 60{\textpm}34 ng/ml in INJ, OSP and C  
groups respectively (P<0.001), while daily plasma PRL concentrations at 1000  
hours, immediately prior to the injection, were 33{\textpm}6, 72{\textpm}7 and 60{\textpm}8 ng/ml in  
INJ, OSP and C groups respectively (P<0.01). 
 
Mean downlength was lower in INJ goats (34{\textpm}4mm) than OSP goats  
(51{\textpm}4mm) and C goats (46{\textpm}4mm).  A greater percentage of fleece by weight  
was shed earlier (P<0.05) in INJ compared to the C group.  Primary follicle  
activity also increased earlier (P<0.001) in INJ goats when compared to C and  
OSP goats.  There was no effect of OSP on fibre growth and no overall effect  
of INJ on guard hair length, shedding score, presence of newly erupted  
cashmere fibres, and secondary follicle activity. 
 
In conclusion, DOM administered at 2.5 mg/day for 14 days by injection, but  
not by osmotic pump, perturbed fibre growth in primary and not secondary  
follicles. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and O{\textquoteright}Neill KT}
}
@conference {40445,
	title = {Grazing management strategies for the production of fine Merino wool in North Island conditions},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {15-18},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Twenty four, three-week old Friesian calves were fed restricted levels of milk replacer and ad libitum levels of either ensiled roughages (R) or cereal-based pellets (P). The roughage diet consisted of ensiled lucerne- molasses (Chaffhage), followed by a mixture of Chaffhage and ensiled maize-molasses (Stockhage). The calves were weaned off milk over a two week period once they reached 70 kg. Diet R calves grew significantly faster (P<0.001) and finished the trial significantly sooner (P<0.05), based on unfasted weekly liveweight data.  However, no differences were observed in fasted body weight gain. Diet R was consumed in significantly (P<0.001) larger quantities and resulted in a significantly (P<0.001) greater fasting weight loss at the end of the trial. No carryover effects were observed in terms of subsequent growth rate in heifer calves at pasture following weaning. Energy digestibilities of Chaffhage and diet P (measured using 8 bull calves following weaning) were not significantly different. No carryover effects in the ability of calves reared on R or P to digest pasture were observed. It is concluded that ensiled roughage can be consumed in sufficient quantities by young calves to produce acceptable levels of liveweight gain.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Haack N and Paterson DJ}
}
@conference {40520,
	title = {Seasonal fibre growth patterns in three breeds of down goat},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {331-334},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Subcutaneous fat colour at slaughter, after chilling for 24 hours was subjectively assessed on a scale of 1 (very white) to 5 hours (very yellow).  Beef breeds (Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Galloway, Hereford and Red Poll), and dairy breeds (Friesian, Milking Shorthorn, Ayrshire and Jersey) of steer were slaughtered at 30 months of age over 5 consecutive years. The Friesian and Angus breeds were present every year and other breeds except for the Hereford and Red Poll were present for at least 2 years. The beef breeds had significantly (P<0.01) more carcasses with white fat than the dairy breeds. The Beef Shorthorn had significantly (P<0.05) more carcasses with white fat than the Angus. The Ayrshire had more carcasses with white fat (P<0.01) than the other dairy breeds. The Jersey had more carcasses (P<0.05) with yellow fat than all the other breeds. For the dairy breeds only there were significant correlations (0.4 - 0.7) between fat colour after chilling and the weight of kidney and channel fat.  The more kidney and channel fat present the yellower the carcass. There was a correlation of 0.32 between meat colour and fat colour after slaughter. Friesian steers had more carcasses (P<0.01) with dark red meat than did the other breeds.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {O{\textquoteright}Neill KT and Litherland AJ and Spring PJ and Paterson DJ}
}
@conference {40403,
	title = {Melatonin for cashmere production in breeding does},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {161-164},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Differences in onset of oestrus in Romney ewes has been observed  between locations at similar latitudes in the North Island. Two  experiments compared source of ewes and rams, and time of transfer of  ewes between locations on the onset of oestrus in Romney ewes. In Expt  1, groups of 30 ewes were interchanged between Wanganui and Takapau on  14 Nov, 5 Dec and 8 Jan. The next day these ewes plus 30 local ewes  were joined with 3 Poll Dorset rams. There were no effects of ewe  source but ewes at Takapau joined on 15 Nov, 6 Dec and 9 Jan had earlier  onsets-of-oestrus than ewes at Wanganui (P<0.05 to P<0.01). Ewes joined  on 15 Nov and 6 Dec at Wanganui had a later (P<0.01) onset of oestrus  than ewes joined on 9 Jan. In Expt 2, 60 ewes and 3 Poll Dorset rams  were interchanged between Wanganui and Poukawa on 13 Nov. These ewes  plus 60 local ewes were randomly divided in half and recombined to form  2 mixed groups which were joined with 3 Poukawa or 3 Wanganui Poll  Dorset rams. Onset of oestrus was earlier at Poukawa (P<0.001) and for  ewes joined with Wanganui rams (P<0.001) but there were no effects of  ewe source.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {O{\textquoteright}Neill KT and Litherland AJ and Hamilton G}
}
@conference {40420,
	title = {A pilot evaluation of shedding sheep breeds compared with non- shedding breeds for susceptibility to nematodes and flystrike},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {233-236},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The effects of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) on wool follicle  development were examined in chronically catheterised singleton Dorset  foetuses. From days 122 to 136 of gestation, five foetuses were infused  intra-arterially with purified oPL (1.2 mg/day) in a carrier medium  consisting of sterile physiological saline plus 15\% plasma from non-  pregnant ewes while another five were infused with carrier medium alone.  Foetal arterial plasma concentrations of oPL were increased six-fold by  the infusion compared with those in controls. Foetuses were euthanased  on day 136 of gestation and skin samples excised from the midside for  histological examination. Treatment of foetuses with oPL did not  influence primary follicle density but reduced the ratio of immature  secondary follicles to primary follicles (Control, 1.22 vs oPL-treated  1.01, Pooled SE = 0.06, P=0.06). These data provide the first evidence  that follicle development in the lamb may be regulated by ovine  placental lactogen.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Sorenson E and Niezen J and Bishop D}
}
@conference {40345,
	title = {Effects of two methods of fibre removal on the cold resistance of cashmere goats},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {379-382},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Two hundred and six mixed age Angora x Feral (G4) does with a  mean fibre diameter of 20.4 microns were randomly mated to three bucks  with mean fibre diameter of 18.8 microns (Group 1) and three bucks with  mean fibre diameter of 22.2 microns (Group 2) in June 1987. The progeny  were shorn at 10 months (August 1988), 16 months (March 1989) and 22  months (August 1989) of age. The fleeces were measured for fleece  weight, mean fibre diameter, yield by weight of down, and colour. Down  weight was then calculated. The fibre was visually classed according to  Mohair-Cashmere Warehouse fibre lines and an economic value put on the  fibre.   Group 1 progeny were heavier and had finer fleeces and lower down  weights than group 2 progeny at all three shearing date. Group fleeces  were 0.6, 0.9 and 1.0 micron finer and 71, 86 and 109 grams lighter than  Group 2 at the three shearing dates respectively. Fibre diameter  increased during the experiment to a greater extent in Group 2 (3.8},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Muller S and Holmes CW and Litherland AJ}
}
@conference {40321,
	title = {Four methods of harvesting cashmere from breeding does},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {259-264},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {No abstract supplied  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Paterson DJ and Hamilton G and O{\textquoteright}Neill K}
}
@conference {40354,
	title = {The use of fine and coarse bucks and G4 does for breeding for cashgora production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {429-436},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Stocking rates for maximum production and economic performance  of Holstein-Friesians and Jerseys were predicted by calculating response  curves from the regression equations of stocking rate on cow  performance. Holstein-Friesians produced higher yields, gross milk  incomes and net incomes per cow while Jerseys produced higher milkfat  and protein yields, gross milk incomes and net incomes per ha when both  breeds were stocked at the same liveweight or for maximum production or  optimum economic performance. Maximum net income based on 1990/91 costs  and prices occurred at 3.0 and 3.7 cows/ha for Holstein-Friesians and  Jerseys respectively. At these stocking rates net income for Jerseys  was 5\% higher than for Holstein-Friesians.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Paterson DJ and Litherland AJ and Newman S-AN and Edmonds DK}
}
@conference {40231,
	title = {Concentration of melatonin in plasma of goats treated with Regulin},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {297-300},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Sustained release of melatonin from implants or microcapsules   administered in October induced cashmere growth during November to March   in all ten, treated, cashmere-bearing goats. The mean maximum length of   the cashmere in this induced fleece ranged from 12-55mm. Another   cashmere growth cycle followed between autumn and winter. In contrast,   nineteen control goats grew cashmere only during the autumn-winter   period. Melatonin treatment increased total mean cashmere staple length   by up to 65\% for treated animals compared with controls. The onset of   growth of the autumn fleece in the treated goats was delayed as also was   the time when maximum length was achieved on shedding occurred.   Melatonin treatment should permit the shearing of the autumn fleece to   be delayed, thus reducing the risk of post-shearing losses during   inclement weather in late winter.    },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parry AL and Paterson DJ and Litherland AJ and Death AF and Staples LD}
}
@conference {40239,
	title = {Melatonin for cashmere production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {339-344},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Relative to an industry Romney control line, three lines derived   from screening for high prolificacy, consisting of Romneys, Perendales   and Coopworths had significantly heavier weaning weights after   adjustment for non-genetic factors with weights of 19.9 (100), 22.3   (112), 24.0 (121) and 23.9 (120) kilograms (percentage relative to the   Romney controls) for the respective flocks. The differences increase   post-weaning and when slaughtered, between 175 and 219 days of age, the   carcass weights (kg) were 12.0 (100), 14.3 (119), 16.1 (134), 15.7 (131)   respectively for the different strains. Although the base populations   of Romneys are not genetically comparable the results suggest that the   intensive screening for prolificacy has indirectly resulted in animals   capable of more rapid growth to slaughter. The differences between   strains in their carcass weight adjusted subcutaneous fat depths were   minor except that the high prolificacy Perendales had lower increases in   fat depths with increasing carcass weight and had the lowest   subcutaneous fat depths at heavy weights. Additionally the high   prolificacy Perendales had 2 to 6 percent larger estimated L.   dorsi areas than the other genotypes.    },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Litherland AJ and Paterson DJ and Parry AL and Dick HB and Staples LD}
}
