@conference {41693,
	title = {Cattle breed evaluation at the US Meat Animal Research Centre and implications for commercial beef farmers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {67},
	year = {2007},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {9-17},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Wanaka},
	abstract = {Since 1969, 36 sire breeds have been evaluated for topcross performance in a series of experiments (Cycles) in the Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) Program. In Cycle VII, the 7 most prominent U.S. beef breeds (3 British breeds: Angus, Hereford, Red Angus; and 4 Continental European breeds: Simmental, Gelbvieh, Charolais, Limousin), comprising 83\% of U.S. breed association registrations, are being evaluated. In the 1970{\textquoteright}s, Continental breeds had greater growth rates and were heavier atweaning, yearling, and maturity. Today British breeds in the U.S. are comparable to Continental breeds for these traits. Steers of Continental sire breeds still excel in retail product yield (\%), but those of British sire breeds excel in marbling, an important component of U.S. carcass value, and enjoy a slight (P<.05) advantage in tenderness over Continental breeds. Since 1973, current expected progeny differences (EPD) from breed associations and GPE data have been used to estimate breed differences annually. Since 1993 adjustment factors have been calculated to be added to the EPD of 16 breeds to calculate across-breed EPD for growth traits. Multi-breed genetic evaluations are being explored by scientists at three U.S. Universities (Cornell, Georgia, Colorado State). In Cycle VII, DNA was obtained on all sires, dams, and progeny produced in the F1 cross generation, grand progeny, and great-grand progeny to provide for parentage determination, and for identification and validation of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Alternative mating plans are being explored to include additional breeds (> 15), to provide more efficient estimates of direct and maternal breed and heterosis effects, and to facilitate use of QTL in multi-breed genetic evaluations. Our review describes how the U.S. beef cattle breeding industry continues to use the evolving GPE results, and how the Cycle VII DNA samples will be used to provide progressively more accurate predictors of sire EPD on a within-breed or between-breed basis, through groups such as the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. The opportunities for U.S. cattle breeders arising from new breeding technologiesare described, including the potential for similar opportunities to be used in the New Zealand beef industry.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Cundiff LV and Thallman RM and van Vleck LD and Bennett GL and Morris CA}
}
@conference {41165,
	title = {A multifaceted approach to providing consumers consistent meat tenderness},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {60},
	year = {2000},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {83-84},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Hamilton},
	abstract = {A comprehensive program of research on the physiological and genetic basis of variation in meat tenderness has beenundertaken. Key processes of tenderization have been identified; intervention and testing protocols have been devised andevaluated, including calcium chloride injection and in-line tenderness testing/classification. Genetic loci influencing meattenderness have been detected, and DNA markers developed to aid selection and eventual identification of the allelicvariation underlying these effects. This combined effort is leading to management and production approaches to providinga consistent, tender meat product.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Smith TPL and Wheeler TL and Shackelford SD and Stone RT and Casas E and Bennett GL and Keele JW and Koohmaraie M}
}
@conference {40541,
	title = {Selecting on pubertal traits to increase beef cow reproduction},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {427-432},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Two groups of 10 mature, crossbred cows received either a single  daily dose of 10 g Mg or no supplemental Mg for two 5 day periods. Blood  was sampled twice daily and urine once daily. On 3 days blood and urine  were sampled four times. Serum Mg levels of 3 unsupplemented animals fell  from 0.74 },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris CA and Bennett GL and Johnson DL}
}
@conference {39997,
	title = {Some genetic and non-genetic effects on the first oestrus and pregnancy rate of beef heifers},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {46},
	year = {1986},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {71-76},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Hogget fleece weight (HFW) (n=10376) and live weight (HLW) records (n=5930) from a highly fecund Coopworth flock were analysed by least squares methods to obtain estimates of environmental effects, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations. Single-born ewe hoggets were 2.7kg heavier than twins and 4.0kg heavier than triplets, and HFW differences were 0.07kg and 0.13kg respectively. Single-born ram hoggets were 2.9kg heavier than twins and 4.3kg heavier than triplets, HFW differences being 0.04kg and 0.10kg, respectively. Ewe hoggets reared by 3, 4 and 5 year old dams were 0.7, 1.2 and 1.4kg heavier than those reared by 2 year old dams, and the corresponding estimates for ram hoggets were 0.6, 1.8 and 1.3kg. Dam age did not significantly affect HFW; linear regression coefficients of the traits on age were 0.003kgd-1 (ewes) and 0.006kgd (rams) for HFW, and 0.04kgd-1 and 0.08 kgd-1 for HLW. The regression of HFW and HLW was 0.02kgkg-1. Heritability estimates (from paternal half-sib analyses) for HFW were 0.52},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Morris CA and Baker RL and Bennett GL}
}
@conference {39947,
	title = {The application of a lean growth index in ram breeding flocks},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {45},
	year = {1985},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {77-80},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Carcass composition is determined by the relative partitioning of metabolisable energy intake among protein, fat and heat. Protein deposition is the net difference between rates of protein synthesis and protein degradation in tissues; synthesis and degradation proceeding at rates several times that of deposition. Relatively small changes in rates of protein synthesis or degradation may result in relatively large changes in deposition. The energy cost of protein synthesis may reduce energy available for fat deposition. The manipulation of carcass fat content may be more readily achieved by increasing lean growth than reducing fat deposition. Development of accurate methods for measuring protein synthesis should facilitate understanding of the mechanisms by which lean animals are grown and the selection of growth promotants useful in the production of leaner carcasses.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Dodd CJ and Bennett GL and Purchas RW}
}
@conference {39946,
	title = {The calculation of a simple lean-growth index for young sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {45},
	year = {1985},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {73-76},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Display life of frozen lamb chops was unaffected by breed or sex. Chops shrink-wrapped in oxygen permeable film had a longer display life than those vacuum packaged in a film of low oxygen permeability. Chops cut from frozen loins, then packaged had a significantly longer display life than chops cut from chilled loins, packaged, and then frozen. Ram lamb chops had significantly higher pH values than those from wethers and ewes. Chops from Romney-cross lambs had lower pH values than those from Coopworth-cross and Perendale-cross lambs. Meat pH decreased slightly but significantly during storage.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Purchas RW and Bennett GL and Dodd CJ}
}
@conference {39944,
	title = {Prediction of lamb carcass composition from GR and carcass weight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {45},
	year = {1985},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {63-66},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A lean-growth index (LGI) incorporating growth rate and the proportion of that growth which is fat is calculated by first converting live-weight differences into differences in weight of lean tissue and then adjusting these values using an estimated breeding value for fat depth. The adjustment of fat depths for weight is by within-flock double-log regression or by specifying a constant exponent in the relationship between fat depth C and live weight. Simulation studies suggested that the constant-exponent method was superior for smaller groups of sheep. Improvements in LGI by selection appear more likely to arise from genetic increases in growth rate than from decreases in weight-corrected fatness, but the inclusion of fatness in the index should lead to the production of lambs that can be taken to heavier weights before becoming overfat.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Kirton AH and Duganzich DM and Feist CL and Bennett GL and Woods EG}
}
@conference {39927,
	title = {Expected selection responses in lamb carcass composition and weight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {44},
	year = {1984},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {243-248},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Twenty eight Border Leicester 2-tooth rams (mean live weight 70 kg) were scored for fatness on a 10-point scale by 6 drafters and back fat thickness was measured by ultrasonic probe (UFD). Chemical fat percentage (mean 33.9\%) was determined on a half-carcass of each ram. Mean carcass weight, measurement C and GR were 38.0 kg, 12 mm and 28 mm respectively. Mean drafters{\textquoteright} fat score was more highly correlated with \% carcass fat (+0.83) than UFD (+0.67). The prediction of fat-free carcass weight (FFCW) from live weight plus UFD (R2=0.72, RDS 1.24 kg) or drafters{\textquoteright} fat score (R2=0.76, RSD 1.14 kg) was superior to prediction from live weight alone (R@=0.59, RSD 1.49 kg). The inclusion of UFD o9r drafters{\textquoteright} fat score increased the efficiency with which rams were ranked for fat-free carcass weight. Selection of the top 10\% of rams ranked on the prediction of FFCW from live weight achieved 75\% of the potential selection differential. Inclusion of either UFD or drafters{\textquoteright} score improved the potential to 95\%.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Bennett GL and Clarke JN}
}
@conference {39920,
	title = {Relationship of subcutaneous fat depth and weight changes induced by stocking rate of 4 lines of lambs},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {44},
	year = {1984},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {215-218},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Live weights, carcass weights and GR measurements from 566 Coopworth lambs were used to retrospectively establish criteria that would have directed carcass production away from discounted grades into those receiving premium payments. Greatest financial returns would have been achieved by slaughtering lambs when they approached fatness limits, before penalties applied. When live weights were the only means of selection, returns were greater at weights that resulted in production of some carcasses penalised for fatness and/or heavy weights than at weights that avoided discounted grades.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Bennett GL and Clarke JN and Rattray PV and MacLean KS}
}
@conference {39926,
	title = {Relative performance of meat breeds of sheep in New Zealand and overseas},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {44},
	year = {1984},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {239-242},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A sheep breeding experiment at Woodlands Research Station consists of 5 self-contained Romney selection lines (closed in 1973). Four lines are selected respectively for dam{\textquoteright}s number of lambs born (dam NLB), 100-day weight, hogget fleece weight, and a production index in which all 3 traits are combined, while the fifth line is a randomly selected control. Back fat thickness was measured in the 1982 born ewe lamb progeny at approximately 8 and 14 months of age. Relative to the controls (back fat 6.3 mm) the dam NLB (5.0 mm) and the production index (4.8) lines had 20\% lower back fat depths (P<0.01) in May after variance adjustment for live-weight. The differences were slightly lower when measured in November. The fat thickness of the 100-day weight and hogget fleece weight line progeny were similar to the controls. The heritability of back fat depth adjusted for live weight by half-sib analysis was 0.28},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Clarke JN and Bennett GL and Kirton AH}
}
@conference {39836,
	title = {Ultrasonic selection for divergence in loin fat depth in Southdowns and Suffolks},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {43},
	year = {1983},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {115-118},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The physical breakdown of 4 forage diets in the chopped or pelleted form was studied in 16 closely-shorn wether sheep at room temperatures of approximately 24},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Bennett GL and Meyer HH and Kirton AH}
}
