@article {3672,
	title = {Body condition scoring of sheep: intra- and inter-observer variability},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {80},
	year = {2020},
	month = {09/2020},
	pages = {107-112},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Body condition scoring (BCS) is a hands-on tool that farmers can use to make decisions about their animal feeding and management.
BCS, however, is a subjective measure of the muscle and fat cover of the lumbar spine. Observers, therefore, may show variability
in scores both across time and from other observers. This study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-observer variation of both
farmers and research technicians as part of a learning exercise of a farmer-learning group based at Massey University between
2011 and 2015. Nineteen farmers and three research technicians condition scored 45 mixed-age ewes on two consecutive days.
Data from both farmers and technicians were analysed to determine the intra- and inter-observer variability using a weighted
kappa. The results indicate that the majority of farmers and technicians had {\textquoteleft}excellent{\textquoteright} agreement (21 of the 22 observers had
kappa values greater than 0.75) between days. Similarly, among pairs of observers the agreement was also {\textquoteleft}excellent{\textquoteright} (212 of
231 comparisons had kappa values greater than 0.75). The distribution of scores that contributed to each median condition score,
however, indicated that lower scores (1, 1.5 and 2) has less variability than did higher scores (2.5 or greater). These results suggest
that BCS is a robust farm-management tool that can be used with a high degree of repeatability.
Keywords: body condition scoring; intra-observer variability, inter-observer variability},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Corner-Thomas RA and Sewell AM and Kemp P and Wood BA and Gray DI and Morris ST and Blair HT and Kenyon PR}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Assessing the current value of milk, meat and fibre products from the goat industry in New Zealand},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {173-176},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {Goats have a historical record of being productive and valuable to families and communities (Aziz 2010). Small ruminants, which include goats, still have an {\textquoteleft}unfulfilled{\textquoteright} potential despite the numbers of animals farmed and their distribution around the world (Anaeto et al. 2010). Pollot and Wilson (2009) concluded that goats deserve greater attention due to their capacity for producing food. A similar study in New Zealand (Sheppard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell 1979), described the uses of goats for meat, skins, milk and mohair and concluded that the goat was valuable, but that the production potential was largely unfulfilled. A recent New Zealand study (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2009) concluded that food-consumption patterns are changing in New Zealand, and globally demand for more diversified products provided an opportunity for goat meat. The objective of this study was to determine the current value of domestic and exported New Zealand goat products and to explore possible future products and their target markets. Many of these product values are gathered from retailers, personal communications and individual producers. This research is an attempt to bring together information that has not yet been gathered to present a current value of the goat in New Zealand...},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Lopez-Lozano SR and Scholtens MR and Smith RMC and Lopez-Villalobos N and Burt D and Harper L and Thomas DG and Carr AJ and Gray DI and Tozer P and Schreurs NM}
}
@conference {3672,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The current state of the New Zealand goat industry},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {164-168},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {<p>Goat farming in New Zealand has a lower profile compared to dairy, sheep and beef systems. The goat industry is small in New Zealand (Stafford \& Prosser, 2016) and there has been limited consideration of the potential for the industry to expand (Shepard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell, 1979). The environmental and commodity market constraints currently impacting pastoral systems in New Zealand provide an opportunity for the goat industry to have a greater economic contribution to New Zealand{\textquoteright}s agricultural production. </p><p>
In New Zealand, goats are farmed for milk, meat and fibre production and also act as a mechanism for controlling excess pasture growth, enhancing clover in mixed pasture and controlling weeds (Batten, 2014). The aim of this paper was to present an overview of the goat industry to provide background knowledge for consideration when deciding the direction of the goat industries in New Zealand. As part of the overview, farmers, processors and industry bodies were contacted to obtain an estimate of the number and location of goats farmed in New Zealand. Although some of the sources of information for the goat industry are not perfect, this research is an attempt to bring together information that has not been consolidated in nearly 40 years (Shepard \& O{\textquoteright}Donnell, 1979) and was achieved as part of a three-part study with companion papers being produced (Lopez-Lozano et al. 2017; Smith et al. 2017). Information from this study were used in conjunction with the value of the goat industry (Lopez-Lozano et al. 2017) to project the potential of the New Zealand goat industry (Smith et al. 2017).</p>},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scholtens MR and Smith RMC and Lopez-Lozano SR and Lopez-Villalobos N and Burt D and Harper L and Tuohy M and Thomas DG and Carr AJ and Gray DI and Tozer P and Schreurs NM}
}
@conference {41418,
	title = {Achieving 4\% productivity: Implications from a longitudinal study of farmer learning in dairy farming},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {63},
	year = {2003},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {116-119},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Queenstown},
	abstract = {The New Zealand dairy industry needs to achieve 3 to 4\% pa gains in productivity.  Accomplishing this on-farm will require continuous innovation by farmers.  Innovation may result from the refinement of existing practices, or the introduction of new practices or technologies.  Farmer learning will be pivotal to the rate of innovation.  However, despite its importance, relatively little is known about farmer learning.  We investigated the tactical feed management processes used by two high-performing dairy farmers over summer-autumn for three years, using a multiple-case study design.  Learning undertaken by the farmers could be classified within three broad domains (the production and management systems, and the environment), but normally involved the interactions between at least two of these.  Two stimuli initiated learning: the occurrence of extreme conditions or the introduction of a new management practice. Different learning processes were identified with respect to these.  This study provides a framework for extension agents to identify the {\textquotedblleft}knowledge gaps{\textquotedblright} farmers need to close in order to improve productivity.  It also assists developers of a new technology, since farmers want to know how the new technology impacts on their production systems, responds under a range of conditions, and is best incorporated into their management.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gray DI and Parker WJ and Kemp EA}
}
@conference {40672,
	title = {Characteristics of seasonal dairy farms achieving high per cow production in the lower North Island of New Zealand},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {55},
	year = {1995},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {72-75},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The accuracy of multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis (MFBIA) as a   predictor of carcass composition in lambs was assessed in a small study.   Impedance and its},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Crawford HK and Gray DI and Parker WJ and Edwards N}
}
@conference {40640,
	title = {Farm management implications of a seasonal price differential for factory supply milk production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {383-388},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A number of New Zealand dairy companies have proposed a differential  
pricing scheme that would discount the price paid for "peak milk" and provide  
a premium for milk supplied "off peak".  A linear programming model was  
developed to analyse the on-farm impact of a differential milk pricing scheme.   
The differential pricing scheme used in the study was based on a dairy  
company where farmers supplied 30\% of total milk during the  
October/November peak and 70\% during the off-peak period (peak-to-shoulder  
ratio of 30:70).  The impact of three price differentials of $0.82/kg MS,  
$1.63/kg MS and $2.45/kg MS between peak and off-peak milk was analysed.   
The results showed that if the case study farmer made no management changes  
to his system, there would be little change in the farm gross margin per hectare  
under a differential pricing scheme, provided the farm had a peak-to-shoulder  
ratio close to that used by the dairy company to set the price differential.   
However, returns declined by $182/ha, if the farm peak-to-shoulder ratio was  
40:60 and increased by $185/ha if the ratio was 20:80.  A price differential of  
at least $1.71/kg milksolids ($3.00/kg MF) between peak and shoulder milk, was  
required to reduce peak milk production significantly.  As the price differential  
increased, the LP model selected solutions that reduced both total milk  
production and the ratio of peak-to-shoulder milk.  Management changes  
selected to modify the pattern of milk production included; a reduction in  
stocking rate, a shift to an earlier calving date (and then a split calving),  
an increased lactation length, higher cow condition at calving and greater use  
of supplements. 
 },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gray DI and Yuretich PA and Lynch GA}
}
@conference {40635,
	title = {Farm management research in New Zealand and its contribution to animal production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {357-362},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Farm management is concerned with procedures that assist farm  
managers allocate limited physical, financial and human resources to achieve  
their personal (and family) objectives.  The process of resource allocation  
usually occurs with imperfect knowledge, and in the context of a biological  
and socio-economic system over which the farm manager has incomplete control.   
Management functions of planning, implementation and control are used to  
assist decision-making and the realisation of objectives in this uncertain  
environment.  These occur at strategic, tactical and operational levels. 
 
Early development of the farm management discipline was strongly shaped by  
microeconomic theory (especially production economics) and quantitative  
methods of analysis (mainly from operations research).  More recent  
development of the discipline has seen the addition of the farming systems  
research (FSR) philosophy and the application of qualitative techniques used  
in the social sciences.  These additions have improved the capacity of farm  
management research to account for the needs and aspirations of the farmer and  
farm family, and to consider the dynamics of the community in which they live.   
This holistic view recognises that farmers frequently do not exhibit economic  
optimising behaviour and that their decision-making processes often ignore the  
classical steps outlined in management textbooks. 
 
In contrast, animal scientists use a reductionist approach to investigate the  
animal component of the farming system, independent of the financial, social,  
and sometimes physical, constraints of a commercial farming situation.  It is  
logical then that farm management specialists should work with animal  
scientists to interpret animal-related research within the context of farming  
systems.  Today{\textquoteright}s increasingly sophisticated market for land-based products  
demands effective partnerships among all participants in the science -  
technology - production - processing - marketing chain.  Issues such as  
sustainability, product quality, animal welfare and the development of effective  
information systems are not the preserve of any single discipline.  The  
challenge to farm management researchers and animal scientists is to continue  
to develop effective working relationships in the future. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parker WJ and Gray DI and Lockhart JC and Townsley RJ}
}
@conference {40471,
	title = {Drying off management and the use of management aids on seasonal supply dairy farms},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {127-132},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {No abstract supplied.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parker WJ and Gray DI and Lockhart JC and Lynch GA and Todd EAG}
}
@conference {40455,
	title = {The potential of industry by-products as supplementary feeds for dairy cows in the Hawkes Bay region},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {53},
	year = {1993},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {55-60},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {No abstract supplied.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Bramwell NF and Parker WJ and Gray DI and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40364,
	title = {A conceptual framework for an expert system to improve drying off decisions on seasonal supply dairy farms - Brief Communication},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {11-12},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Forty Border Leicester (BL) and forty-eight Dorset Down (DD)  ewe hoggets (7.5mo) that had been farmed together were scanned using a  real-time ultrasound machine, at six sites with one muscle depth (B) and  five subcutaneous fat depth measurements (R - tissue depth over fifth  rib, C - backfat over last rib, GR, L - backfat over last lumbar  vertebrae, T - fat over tail) being taken. Comparisons of tissue ratios  (individual fat depth divided by B) were used to characterise  subcutaneous fat distribution. From these ratios it was found that the  DD had 9\%, 10\% and 6\% greater ratios at R, L and T respectively, and 7\%  lower ratios at C and GR. Breed differences at R, GR and T were  significant (P<0.05). It was concluded that true genetic differences in  subcutaneous fat distribution existed between the genotypes studied.  These findings have implications for carcass classification, for  breeding programmes for lean growth, and for comparisons of the fatness  of different genotypes.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Gray DI and Lynch GA and Lockhart JC and Parker WJ and Todd EG and Brookes IM}
}
@conference {40417,
	title = {A modelling study of the productivity and profitability of unmated and mated ewes on North Island hill country},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {221-224},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Five groups (15-30) of Romney or Merino ewes were synchronised  with CIDR devices for 12 days in March or April. In all but one group  of Romney ewes 400IU PMSG was injected at CIDR removal. Intervals to  onset of oestrus and ovulation were determined by recording crayon marks  and laparoscopy respectively every 4 hours. Interval to ovulation was  not affected by ewe breed or month of treatment, but it was 7.9 hours  earlier in ewes injected with PMSG (48.9h vs 56.8h P<0.001) and the  variance was less (13.4h vs 35.7h P<0.05). Interval to oestrus was  affected by breed of ewe, date of synchronisation and use of PMSG.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Parker WJ and Gray DI and Morris ST and McCutcheon SN}
}
@conference {40390,
	title = {The role of computer software in the feeding of farm livestock},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1992},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {111-114},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Romney ewes with consistently high (H, n=5) or low L, n=5)  seasonal changes in wool growth and with differences in ovulation rate  and the onset of anoestrus, were blood sampled every 30 min for 24 h at  the winter and summer solstices and at the spring and autumn equinoxes.  Plasma samples were assayed for melatonin by direct radioimmunoassay.   Mean melatonin levels were higher during the hours of darkness than  during daylight at all sampling times. However, the ratio between day-  and night-time melatonin levels tended to be smaller in spring (1.8) and  summer (1.5) than autumn (2.9) and winter (1988 - 3.8; 1989 - 4.1).  There were no significant differences between H and L ewes in mean  melatonin concentrations during daylight or darkness at any of the  seasons. There was however, considerable variation between individual  ewes in the diurnal pattern of melatonin secretion in spring and summer.  The high levels of melatonin usually associated with darkness were  sometimes found during the day. These disrupted patterns of melatonin  secretion occurred in all ewes at one or other of these two seasons.  The results suggest that during anoestrus, melatonin profiles may  differ from the normal pattern of secretion that is aligned to  photoperiod.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Brookes IM and Parker WJ and Gray DI}
}
@conference {40347,
	title = {A modelling study of once-bred heifer beef production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {51},
	year = {1991},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {389-394},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Sixteen cows were randomly allocated tot he two treatment  groups; one was given high digestibility hay (57\% DMD and the other low  digestibility hay (52\% DMD). Hay was available to appetite during the  daytime, while the cows grazed on a common pasture allowance (12 kg DM  per cow) at night.   Cows offered high digestibility hay ate more hay (P<0.01) but less  pasture (P<0.05) than those on the low digestibility hay. Pasture  intake was reduced by 0.2kg DM for each increase of 1 kg DM eaten as  high digestibility hay.   Cows offered the high digestibility hay ate more hay (P<0.01) but less  pasture (P<0.05) than those on the low digestibility hay. Pasture  intake was reduced by 0.2 kg DM for each increase of 1 kg DM eaten as  high digestibility hay.   Cows offered the high digestibility hay produced slightly more milk than  those on the low digestibility hay. This difference average 1.3 L per  cow daily, but was significant only in week 1. The composition of milk  did not differ between the two groups. The cows offered the high  digestibility hay also gained significantly more liveweight.   The data show that the quality of supplementary hay has an effect on  milk production, but that the effect is smaller than might have been  predicted because of the increased substitution of hay eaten instead of  pasture by cows given the higher quality hay and because of increased  liveweight gain by these cows. The probable economic value of high  digestibility supplement is discussed briefly.  },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Keeling PCB and Morris ST and Gray DI and Parker WJ}
}
