@conference {41084,
	title = {The results and success factors of nine group farm monitoring programmes},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {59},
	year = {1999},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {87-90},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Results from 9 farmer groups located in the upper North Island and operating over the period of 1988 to 1998 showed that group farm monitoring has facilitated changes in farm practice performance and income.  The process in-volved groups of farmers with associated consultants, veterinarians and scientists; and the detailed monitoring of a central farm for 3 to 4 years.  Changes made on the monitor farm incorporated the optimisation of the farm system and the adaptation and use of new sheep and beef cattle farming technologies.  Increases in production ranged from 8 to 37\%; and increases in farm revenue from 13 to 31\%.  Changes to stock policies that better aligned feed demand and supply, in-creased growth rates of young animals and greater efficiencies in breeding ewe and cow performance were common contributors to improved performances.  The group farm monitoring process emphasised the value of gathering and effectively using farm and product information and provided a collective learning environment for farmers within a group context.  Critical success factors that have emerged from a decade of work experience associated with group process are highlighted and discussed in the paper.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sheath GW and Webby RW and Keeling P and Thomson RD and Page CR and Burton GT}
}
@conference {40625,
	title = {The current status of the beef breeding cow in New Zealand mixed livestock production systems.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {311-314},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The total beef breeding cow herd in New Zealand, currently numbers  
1.45 million head.  Of the total beef herd, breeding cows make up only 30\%.   
In 1975 when numbers peaked at 2.31 million, breeding cows made up 37\% of the  
total beef herd.  Despite the decline in the New Zealand breeding cow herd,  
beef production now exceeds 1975 levels.  Per head carcass weights have  
increased and there is an increasing contribution of beef cattle from the  
dairy industry.  Pastoral land loses to forestry are expected to exceed 500,000  
ha in the next decade, much of this from areas grazed by breeding cows. 
 
The beef breeding cow is complementary to the performance of other stock  
classes.  Her seasonal feed demand profile, her ability to utilise surplus  
often low quality feed, buffer herself against periods of low feeding and to  
be a source of equity and income stabilisation is highly regarded by farmers.   
Compared to a traditional self replacing beef breed herd, a dairy beef cross  
breed herd where all replacements are sourced from the dairy industry will  
return up to 43\% more revenue per hectare.  With the development of new  
technology there is growing potential for the beef breeding cow to compete at  
all levels of the beef production line. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Webby RW and Thomson RD}
}
