ABSTRACT Body weight measurement of animals is often labor-intensive for farmers and stressful for animals. To this end, several methods have been researched and implemented to automate this process. In this study, we performed a Systematic Literature Review to identify and synthesise the published studies on the body weight estimation approaches for livestock (i.e. cattle and pigs). Information about

(2021). Recent advances in grazed pasture-based dairy science. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research: Vol. 64, Special issue: Recent advances in grazed pasture based dairy science. Editor: Timothy Clough, pp. 1-2.

ABSTRACT Leptin is a protein hormone secreted by white adipose tissue, and variation in leptin gene (LEP) has been described to affect milk production traits in different cattle breeds. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether nucleotide sequence variations identified in exon 3 of LEP were the same as those reported previously, and ascertain whether the variations detected affected milk

ABSTRACT In New Zealand, a specific selection scheme for the dairy cattle population milked once-a-day (OAD) has not been implemented. This study aims to investigate estimated genetic progress for different selection objectives based on selection scheme designs using progeny testing (PT) and genomic selection (GS) in OAD herds. Under a PT-scheme, estimated genetic progress ranged from 7 to 45 kg/year

ABSTRACT The effect of defoliation frequency and severity on FA and nutrient composition of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) before and after vernalisation were compared. Before vernalisation, the FA and nutrient components exhibited little variation with defoliation frequency and severity irrespective of the time of day. After vernalisation, total FA more than halved compared with pre vernalisation

ABSTRACT The annual regeneration from seeds of subterranean clover plants after initial sowing depends on the hardseededness (HSmax, %), its breakdown rate (HSbreak, %/ °C) and the germinability of the seeds over time. Hardseededness is a physical mechanism of dormancy that prevents germination of seeds and is ecologically important for the persistence of subterranean clover in a range of environments

ABSTRACT Multispecies grasslands can alter nitrogen (N) cycling processes. A mesocosm experiment was performed comparing bare soil, soil planted with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium repens), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), and a mixed sward with all three species. We aimed to assess the plant effects on: ruminant urine-induced dry matter yields, plant N uptake, soil N2O

ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the effects of soybean silage (SS) in diets of dairy heifers on nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behaviours, rumen fermentation, N utilisation, and microbial N synthesis. Twelve Jersey heifers (307 ± 3 kg body weight and 15 ± 3.2 months of age) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with 21 d-periods, 14 d for adaptation and 7

ABSTRACT To meet the water quality outcomes sought by catchment communities and regulators, the losses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sediment from dairy and sheep/beef farms must be reduced across many catchments. We conducted a high-level desktop analysis of farm typologies and established that if mitigation actions were fully implemented across dairy and sheep/beef farms, losses of N and P

ABSTRACT Ewe lamb live weight at first mating (7 months of age) is positively associated with reproductive performance and led to the recommendation of a minimum mating live weight of 40 kg. This experiment examined the effects of heavier mating live weight of ewe lambs on their live weight, fertility, lambing percentage and their progeny performance to weaning. Ewe lambs (n = 270) were randomly allocated

ABSTRACT We employ a two-stage data envelopment analysis technique to assess the ecological-economic performance or ‘eco-efficiency’ of dairy farms in New Zealand. 108 dairy farms were surveyed over one year period across the country to analyse farming eco-efficiency. Survey data on milksolids production and production costs are used to estimate the economic performance (i.e. profits), while data on

ABSTRACT Combining several cultivars within species in seed mixtures is often advocated as a means for improving crop or pasture performance. Herbage accumulation (HA) of perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures sown with a single cultivar representing different functional types of perennial ryegrass was compared with the HA of cultivar mixtures over three years in two contrasting environments (Waikato

A lysimeter experiment was conducted to investigate the environmental effects of applying farm dairy effluent (FDE) treated with a chemical coagulant (polyferric sulphate) to land. The coagulant was administered as part of an effluent treatment system known as ClearTech. Two products are produced from the treatment process; treated effluent (TE) and clarified water (CW). Applications were applied in

ABSTRACT Future development pathways for irrigated dairy farms in Canterbury operating under stricter nitrogen (N) loss limits were compared in two farmlets over four years. One represented the traditional pathway of intensification via higher inputs of N fertiliser and supplementary feed (‘higher input-high efficiency’, HI-HE), while the other represented a lower input pathway using half the amount

A trial was conducted to investigate the response of mixed age ewes of different body condition scores (BCS) to a pre-mating treatment with long-acting anthelmintics. Three hundred Poll–Dorset Texel cross ewes were divided into three groups of 100 and treated pre-mating with either a 100-day controlled-release capsule containing abamectin, albendazole, selenium and cobalt, a long-acting injectable

(2020). Advances in Plant Sciences. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research: Vol. 63, Special issue: Advances inplant sciences. Guest Editor: Jim Moir, pp. 269-271.

The extent of phosphorus (P) loss from soils under deep rooting crops such as lucerne is currently unknown. This study used large lysimeters (2.0 by 1.5 m) to quantify the amounts and forms of P in drainage under lucerne from two sites, a non-irrigated dairy system and an irrigated dairy system that also received farm dairy effluent (FDE). Results showed despite greater P inputs to the irrigated compared

The drought tolerance trait osmotic adjustment has been widely studied in annual crops but has received little attention in perennial forages. White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a forage legume of major importance with a reputation for drought susceptibility. This paper we believe is the first to publish research which measures intraspecific variability for osmotic adjustment within this species

ABSTRACT In identifying endophytes for use in pastures in New Zealand there have been two strategies used, either exclusion of ergopeptine and lolitrem alkaloids or, retaining some ergopeptine expression to enhance the stability of natural defences against invertebrate pests. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It is a matter of balancing these to ensure the end-user has access to a product that

Herbicide dose-responses of seedling progenies of Ranunculus acris populations varying in herbicide exposure history indicate that this weed has evolved multiple resistance to phenoxycarboxylic acid and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibitor herbicides. To test the hypothesis that this ‘multiple-resistance’ can occur in the same plant, we conducted an experiment where 11 clones of R. acris, varying

The production and pest susceptibility of eight clover cultivars were compared over two years in the pasture at two contrasting sites: a rain-fed Waikato cattle-grazed pasture and an irrigated Canterbury dairy pasture. The cultivars were four white clovers (Trifolium repens L.) (Grasslands Kopu II, Grasslands Mainstay, SF Quest and Weka), two red clovers (T. pratense L.) (Grasslands Relish, Rubitas)

An integrated catchment management project was established at the Whatawhata Research Centre in the late 1990s to study the implications of land use and management change for a typical New Zealand hill country pastoral farm system. The main changes implemented on the 296 ha Mangaotama block in 2001–2002 included production forest plantation (147 ha), indigenous riparian planting (8 ha); intensification

Reliable data on the rate of cadmium (Cd) accumulation in soils that receive phosphorus (P) fertiliser is vital to help manage the impact of Cd in agricultural systems in New Zealand. Studies of the long-term P fertiliser trial at Winchmore, where soils have received 0, 17, or 34 kg P ha−1 yr−1 for > 60 years, have reported that soil Cd concentrations over the last 15 years have either plateaued or

High-quality RNA from soil is essential for investigating the functionality of soil microbial communities. The affordability the RNA-Seq method enables innovative studies of whole ecosystems but relies on a high quality and quantity of RNA. Different types of soils have different physicochemical properties, and therefore RNA extraction methods are usually investigated for each soil type separately

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is an important legume in dryland hill pastures in New Zealand. In this environment plants adapt to low temperatures (<10°C) through a series of physiological mechanisms, such as the foliar biosynthesis of pigments, to protect vulnerable tissues. The biosynthesis of anthocyanins is one of the most important physiological responses for cold acclimation

ABSTRACT In New Zealand cows are usually milked twice a day (TAD), however milking cows once-a-day (OAD) for the entire lactation is steadily increasing. This study aimed to estimate genetic correlations (r g) for milk production traits across TAD and OAD milking frequency (MF) environments from first lactation cows. Lactation yields of milk (MY), fat (FY) and protein (PY), and somatic cell score (SCS)

The increased milk production of pastured-based mixed dairy systems has involved higher use of concentrates and inputs, which led to increased environmental impacts. Usually these impacts are expressed per unit of product, which does not reflect the local impact per unit of land. The objective of this paper was to estimate global and local environmental impacts per kg of milk and per hectare. Fossil

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma amino acid (AA) concentration and urinary nitrogen (N) concentration of dairy heifers offered cut plantain or perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture indoors. Twelve Jersey-Friesian heifers aged 9–10 months were equally assigned to two dietary treatments (plantain vs. perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture) in

Composite ewes (244 single, 258 twin and 255 triplet born) lambed first either as a one or two-year-old. One-year-old lambing resulted in lighter ewes at both 2nd and 3rd mating. Twin and triplet born ewes were lighter than single born ewes throughout their life. Ewe losses due to lambing as a one-year-old meant fewer ewes left to lamb in later years. This meant that after the two-year-old lambing

This paper reviews the effects of irrigation on soil physical properties, particularly soil water movement and storage, under predominantly pastoral systems. Few studies address how irrigation impacts these in temperate climates, with very few studies under modern spray irrigation and intensive pastoral farming. Irrigation generally means intensive land use will occur. It is difficult to uncouple factors

Concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se) and iodine (I) were measured in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) plants previously selected for either high or low foliar cadmium (Cd), and progeny lines from crossings within the high and low Cd populations. Micronutrient levels were lower and more variable, with the exception of Se, in the low Cd progeny

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to estimate genetic parameters of efficiency of crude protein utilisation (ECPU) and its genetic correlation (r G) with other production traits across lactation in grazing dairy cows. Data were originated from 467 (2016–17 season) and 460 cows (2017–18 season) representing Holstein-Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and their crosses (F×J), from two New Zealand farms.

ABSTRACT When pasture supply becomes limiting during the summer dry period in the southern North Island of New Zealand, dairy cows often receive silage and forage crop dietary supplements. The present study investigated the effect of dietary change in late summer-autumn on cow’s urinary N excretion. Fifty-four dairy cows balanced for milk production, age, liveweight, body condition score and days in

A hydrological framework encompassing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and microbial (E. coli) transfer from land to water was developed to provide a consistent and rapid approach for assessing the potential impacts of land activity on water quality in New Zealand. A flow partition approach was used to route precipitation via surface and subsurface pathways from land to water. The framework included a

Currently, comparisons of lamb output from either ewe lambs or mature ewes are confounded, as the age groups are bred to different sires, and lamb at different times. The aim of this experiment was to compare the reproductive performance of ewe lambs and mature ewes, bred at the same time to the same sires, and lambed in the same climatic conditions. The experiment included 1082 mature ewes and 1014

Herbicide-resistant weeds are serious threats to agricultural production. Since a review published in 1996, the number of different examples of weed biotypes developing resistance to one or more herbicides in New Zealand has almost quadrupled. By 1996, six weed species had been shown to have developed resistant biotypes, mostly to either triazine or auxinic herbicides. Most of the herbicide-resistant

This paper presents the results of the latest calibrations of the CLUES model for each of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and Escherichia coli. The model provides estimates of in-stream annual loads of these contaminants for every river reach in the New Zealand River Environments Classification and has been used in New Zealand for catchment planning and policy development. CLUES has been calibrated

Field trials conducted in the Waikato region over three summer seasons (2007–08, 2008–09 and 2009–10) evaluated whether soil nitrogen (N) reserves at sites previously under long-term pasture and with a history of regular farm dairy effluent application were sufficient for maize production with either minimal or no additional N fertiliser inputs. Crop productivity was assessed in the first (six trials)

Two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars (‘Rivage’ and SF Brigadier™) were evaluated in a field experiment to quantify the effect of cultivar and sowing date on growth physiology. The crops were sown on 19 September, 17 October, 17 November and 15 December in 2014. Crops were sequentially harvested and separated into storage root, leaf blade and petiole for analysis. Fodder beet growth was sigmoidal;

Improved process understanding of temporal change in soil hydraulic, water retention, and soil physical properties is required to improve modelling of soil-water dynamics. This study reports on temporal trends in soil physical properties for intensive till and no till irrigated wheat, from autumn sowing to summer harvest. There were significant temporal trends for bulk density, readily available water

New Zealand pastoral productivity relies heavily on biological nitrogen (N) fixation from rhizobia bacteria. Cadmium (Cd), present in pasture soils as an impurity in phosphate fertilisers, may have toxic effects on both plant growth and rhizobia activity. Effects of Cd on growth of seedlings of a white clover cultivar ‘Grasslands Tribute’, in the absence and presence of the N2-fixing Rhizobium leguminosarum

Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf, butterprint), a problematic weed of crops in some temperate countries, was introduced into New Zealand in 1948 as a potential fibre crop. It has naturalised in the North Island in the Waikato and Auckland regions but its status at the many sites where it was inadvertently sown in 2015 as a contaminant of Beta vulgaris seed lines remains unknown. To determine the potential

The importance of pasture soils to the New Zealand economy and global food security cannot be understated. Additionally, the importance of soil biodiversity to soil ecosystem functioning and, consequently, food production is becoming apparent. Despite this, our understanding of soil biodiversity is still developing. Here, we review the literature on soil microbial communities inhabiting pasture soils

This study examined the role of earthworms in the stabilisation of soil organic carbon from livestock dung in a long-term mesocosm study, including its incorporation in deeper soil layers and association with particle size fractions. Two earthworm treatments were established, with the abundant and diverse treatment having 390 m−2 less epigeic Lumbricus rubellus, 2400 m−2 more endogeic Aporrectodea

Liveweight production, dry matter yield and botanical composition of three lucerne based pastures (lucerne monoculture, lucerne/brome, lucerne/cocksfoot) were quantified for five years from a grazed, dryland experiment at Ashley Dene, Canterbury. The objective was to determine if liveweight production by sheep was enhanced by inclusion of a companion grass species with lucerne. Over five growth seasons

Herbicide resistance has repeatedly developed under intensive herbicidal weed management regimes globally with 255 species having resistant biotypes. In New Zealand, since 1979, resistance was found in 13 taxa, with >25 herbicides in 8 chemical classes showing reduced effectiveness (i.e. HRAC groups A, B, C, D, F, G, H, N and O). Cases included weeds in turf, pastures, orchards, vineyards, forage and

In New Zealand, a commonly sown pasture combination is perennial ryegrass with white clover. The hydrothermal time model (HTT) was used to quantify germination under different temperature (T) and water potential (WP) conditions for white clover ‘Nomad’ and perennial ryegrass ‘Stellar AR1’. Seeds were germinated in vitro under a range of T × WP combinations, and HTT models were fitted to germination

We tested whether selection of ryegrass for reduced root hair length and density would reduce root competition on white clover for phosphate (P). A Rhizosheath Selection Tool was used to select two ryegrass populations with contrasting root hair traits. These were grown at five soil P levels in a glasshouse experiment and rhizosheath trait selection had no effect on growth or shoot P concentrations

To determine the methane (CH4) emission factors for beef cows in Argentina, we carried out two experiments to test the effect of different diets on methane emission from grazing conditions. In experiment 1, diet consisted of native grass-based pasture vs. sorghum-based pasture (63.1% and 63.5% of dry matter digestibility (DMD) respectively), and in experiment 2, it consisted of native grass-based pasture

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors such as haloxyfop, pinoxaden and clethodim selectively control grass weed species in many types of crop. Here, we characterised two populations of Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass), R and RV, from South Canterbury and Central Otago respectively, that were suspected to be resistant to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. Based on 50% reduction in biomass

Triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs have the potential to improve flock productivity however, the lack of robust information on optimal nutrition and management is limiting their performance. In comparison to twins, the triplet lamb is; lighter, more metabolically challenged, has lower body temperature, and receives less colostrum and milk which combined results in lower survival rates and weaning

In vitro germination tests were performed at 11 constant temperatures (range 2.5–35°C) to quantify the maximum germination percentage and germination rate of four subterranean clover cultivars (‘Antas’, ‘Denmark’, ‘Monti’ and ‘Narrikup’). These were used to estimate their cardinal temperatures, base (Tb ), optimum (T opt) and maximum (Tmax) and the thermal time requirements for seed germination. Germination

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare conformation, age at puberty and subsequent milk production of Holstein–Friesian–Jersey crossbred heifers grown in a linear trajectory (Target; n = 55) between 6- and 15-month target liveweights (LWT), with heifers grown in a seasonal manner (Seasonal; n = 55) of slow over first winter and fast over spring. Heifers that grew to Target attained puberty 38

A quick test to enable early detection of flumetsulam and MCPA resistance in Ranunculus acris L. subsp. acris was developed in a series of Petri dish assays and pot trials. Initial experiments used seeds (Experiment 1) or cotyledonary seedlings (Experiment 2) from two R. acris populations of known past herbicide exposure, in Petri dishes containing broad ranges of herbicide concentrations. A further

Hexaploid Caucasian clover was grown in soil sampled at three New Zealand South Island high country sites to which specific rhizobium inoculum had been added with sowing of the legume in 1975, 1992 and 1997; two sites on the Lincoln University farm sown with inoculated Caucasian clover in 2012 and 2013; and six sites not sown with the crop. Caucasian clover nodulated in soil from all sites sown with

ABSTRACT An amino acid substitution (K232A) in the enzyme diacylglycerol acyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) has been reported to explain variation in milk traits and milk fatty acid (FA) profile. In this study, associations between K232A, and milk traits including milk FA composition, were studied in wholly pasture-fed New Zealand Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cross-bred (KiwicrossTM) dairy cows. With

The use of microbial insect pathogens as biocontrol agents is a well-established practice, with several bacteria and fungi available in commercial products. However, lack of efficacy, persistence and restricted host ranges are limiting the widespread uptake of insect pathogens. Combining multiple agents into a single product may overcome some limitations, if they are compatible and could provide synergy

This study examined the earthworm community in permanent pastures at three self-contained farmlets that make up the long-term P fertiliser and sheep grazing study located at Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station. Thirty five years after the study was established, earthworm abundance was lower at the farmlet receiving no fertiliser since 1979 (LFNF, 219 m−2), compared to that receiving 125 kg SSP/ha/year

A lysimeter experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of applying readily available carbon (12 or 24 t sucrose ha−1) to soil on nitrogen (N) losses from cattle urine patches. The carbon (C) was readily available to microbes and was applied onto intact soil monolith lysimeters, containing stony silt loam soil, beneath either ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture

The aim of the study was to determine if existing technologies could reduce nitrate leaching by 50%; while maintaining high levels of milk production and profitability. One farmlet, typical of the Waikato (‘CURRENT’) was stocked at 3.2 cows/ha and compared with a farmlet stocked at 2.6 cows/ha (‘FUTURE’), focusing on higher cow production through the use of higher genetic merit cows, lower N fertiliser