Evaluation of Hereford and first-cross cows on three pasture systems. I. Calf growth and reproductive performance of young cows

1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Barlow ◽  
H. Hearnshaw ◽  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
R. E. Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
New South ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Age And Sex

SUMMARYHereford (H × H), Brahman × Hereford (B × H), Simmental × Hereford (S × H) and Friesian × Hereford (F × H) females born over a 5-year period (1973–77) were placed on pastures of high, medium or low nutritive value at Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, at weaning (7–8 months of age). The first mating of heifers on high pasture was at 15 months (1974) while that on medium and low pastures was delayed until 27 months of age (1975). This paper reports the reproductive performance of these cows up to 5 years of age and the preweaning growth of their calves which were sired by Hereford bulls at Grafton, Australia. In total, 1222 calving records were analysed.Most traits were subject to interaction between genotype and other main effects (pasture, year of birth of cow, cow age and sex of calf). Eyelid pigmentation was an exception, with calves from B × H cows having more than calves of other genotypes (73 v. 43%). There were significant genotype differences in calving difficulty among 2-year-old heifers only, with H × H (33%) requiring more assistance than F × H (15%) and SxH (10%) heifers, while B × H heifers did not require any assistance. Genotype differences in percentage of calves born and weaned were observed on low pastures only, where B × H (66% born, 65% weaned) exceeded H × H (48%, 39%) and S × H (39%, 38%) cows, with F × H (58%, 50%) cows being intermediate. Calves by H × H cows were the slowest-growing and were the lightest at weaning on all pastures, with mean gains of 759, 604 and 340 g/day, and mean weaning weights of 212, 188 and 110 kg, on high, medium and low quality pastures, respectively. F × H and S × H cows produced the fastest-growing calves on high quality pasture (966 and 936 g/day, respectively) while B × H cows produced the fastest-growing calves on medium (823 g/day) and low (679 g/day) quality pastures. F × H cows weaned the heaviest calves on high quality pasture (274 kg) while F × H and B × H weaned the heaviest calves on medium (230 and 229 kg, respectively) and low (162 and 169 kg, respectively) quality pastures. Differences in body measurements followed a pattern similar to weaning weight.

Cumulative reproductive performance effect on overall lifetime productivity in Merino sheep

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1470
Author(s):  
J. S. Richards ◽  
M. A. Sladek ◽  
G. J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The South ◽  
Performance Effect ◽  
South West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Effect Of Age

Reproduction is an important driver of profitability in commercial sheep flocks. Historically, Merino flocks have been run with a fixed age structure, ignoring individual merit and casting for age at a specific age. More recently, research has focussed on utilising the variation within age groups by keeping productive older ewes longer and culling less productive ewes earlier. Previous studies have also examined the effect of age on reproduction and the impact of reproduction status on productivity, but little research has been conducted on cumulative effects of reproductive performance on later productivity, reproduction and health. The present study examined the impact of higher lifetime reproduction on other key production and fitness traits in older ewes run under commercial conditions. Data were collected from two commercial wool-producing properties in the South West Slopes and the Central West Plains of New South Wales during 2009–2011. Reproduction, fleece measurements, bodyweight and condition and dental health were recorded during the study. The results showed that age had a bigger effect on productivity and dental health than did cumulative lifetime reproduction. Environment and genetics determined the level of impact, with minimal loss in productivity from increased age of animals occurring in the South West Slopes flock, whereas the Central West Plains flock would appear to require closer monitoring of productivity as ewes aged. The data collected did not allow separation of the genetic and environmental influences within the study. Retaining animals with a higher reproductive performance past normal culling age does not necessarily result in reduction of productivity or ewe health, but this must be monitored.

Reptiles of the NSW Murray Catchment

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Michael ◽  
David Lindenmayer
Keyword(s):  
Catchment Area ◽  
New South ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Farming Landscapes ◽  
Distinguishing Features

This is an easy to use field guide for identifying the 80 reptile species currently known to occur in the Murray catchment area of New South Wales. Illustrated with high quality colour photographs, the book describes the key distinguishing features of each reptile and includes details on habitats and conservation status. Uniquely, it has a detailed chapter on how to conserve reptiles and manage key habitats, providing landholders and natural resource agencies with the knowledge to help conserve reptiles in agricultural farming landscapes. The up-to-date distribution maps are based on 10 years of extensive surveys and research on reptiles in the Murray catchment. The final chapter includes a section on similar looking species to further enable readers to accurately and quickly identify difficult species. Reptiles of the NSW Murray Catchment promotes a broad appreciation of reptiles in the region, and is a must-have for natural history enthusiasts.

The effect of lambing performance on the face cover of ewes

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun ◽  
BH Clinton ◽  
TH Crofts ◽  
JOC Furner ◽  
AC Godlee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
Full Range ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Face ◽  
Average Face

Face cover was scored on 1979 maiden ewes mated on seven commercial properties in New South Wales. Results from four muffled flocks (full range of face cover scores) showed a small regression of percentage ewes wet on face cover scored prior to mating (b = -2.9, P<0.01). There was no relationship between these measurements in three open faced flocks (no ewes with face cover above score 4). A second score for face cover, given when the ewes had lambs at foot, was very strongly related to percentage wet ewes (b = -7.5, P<0.001, for muffled flocks and b = -6.3, P<0.01, for open faced flocks). The importance of time of scoring in determining the strength of the relation between reproductive performance and face cover, was caused by wet ewes dropping 0.6 grades in average face cover score between mating and marking. Dry ewes maintained their level of face cover.

Effect of prolonged undernutrition on the recovery and reproductive performance of maiden Merino ewes

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
P McInnes ◽  
TJ Grainger ◽  
MD Smith
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Year ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
The Mean

Data are presented on the recovery and reproductive performance of 2 1/2-year-old maiden Merino ewes after a prolonged period of undernutrition. The 217 sheep had been hand-fed on a submaintenance ration in pen feeding trials at Glenfield, New South Wales. During the seven months of the trials they had lost 6 kg (28 to 22 kg) body weight. They were transported to Condobolin in south-western New South Wales, divided into two treatment groups and run on good quality pastures. One group was joined immediately (May 1959) and again ten months later, and the other group was mated after six months at Condobolin (in October 1959) and again 12 months later. The ewes recovered rapidly. The mean weight of both groups had reached 30 kg within six weeks and 40 kg within six months. In the first year 73 of the 100 May-mated ewes bore lambs, but only 38 of these lambs were weaned. Ewes bearing lambs had a higher body weight at the start of joining and gained more during joining than the barren ewes. At the other three joinings (October 1959, May 1960, October 1960) lambing percentage was from 86-89 and weaning percentage from 62-69-both normal for the district. The proportion of twin lambs (3-6 per cent) was low. Wool weight in 1959 was not affected by time of mating or by pregnancy.

The association between face cover and the productivity of Merino ewes in twelve NSW flocks

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
JP Drinan ◽  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
The Body ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Face ◽  
Fleece Weight

The association between the face cover and productivity of more than 3000 Merino ewes has been examined in 12 flocks located in the major sheep producing areas of New South Wales. Each flock was divided into Open (scores 1 and 2), Moderate (scores 3 and 4), and Muffled (scores 5 and 6) groups. A significant negative association between face cover and reproductive performance was apparent in two flocks that contained appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes. A similar trend was apparent in another Muffled flock, but in one other Muffled flock and four Open flocks, there was no evidence of such an association. The results from the remaining four flocks were not considered, due to the possibility that the results were confounded by face cover scoring after joining. In one Muffled flock, the body weights of weaner lambs were negatively correlated with their dams' face cover. A relationship between face cover score and total greasy fleece weight, corrected for previous reproductive performance, was absent from most flocks and negative in two, despite evidence of a positive correlation with belly weight. There was a trend to inferior fleeces of finer trade count in Moderate and Muffled groups of several flocks. Excess face cover was found to be an undesirable attribute in Merino flocks. Its importance was greatest in flocks containing appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes

Moult, Movements, Age and Sex Composition of Mountain Duck, Tadorna tadornoides, Banded at Lake George, N.S.W

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL McKean ◽  
LW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
New South ◽  
Sex Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Moult Migration ◽  
Lake George ◽  
Age And Sex

Two samples of mountain ducks totalling 1001 birds were trapped and banded at Lake George,N.S.W. A highly significant difference in age structure between the two samples, taken in January 1965 and in February 1970, may be related to major differences in rainfall for the year preceding each sample. The sex ratio was markedly biased in favour of females. Recoveries of birds were nearly all to the south and west and 300-700 km from the banding site. Fully 99 % of recoveries were in States other than New South Wales. Examination of one sample of 679 mountain ducks for moult of primary and secondary wing feathers showed that approximately one-third of the adults were moulting. It was concluded that the birds were possibly normal residents of the region in which most recoveries occurred, and that they make an annual moult migration to Lake George.

High Quality Early Literacy Programs

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Arthur ◽  
Laurie Makin
Keyword(s):  
Early Literacy ◽  
New South ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Literacy Experiences ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Children's Home ◽  
Before School

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of literacy learning in the years before school. Key principles of high quality literacy programs for young children have been developed as the result of a recent study of 79 preschool and long day care centres in New South Wales. These principles include communicating with families about literacy, building on children's home experiences, planning to support individual literacy needs, integrating literacy experiences across the curriculum, and adult—child interactions that scaffold literacy understandings.

Factors affecting pre-weaning growth and weaning conformation of Angus cattle

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
R Barlow ◽  
EB Dettmann ◽  
LG Williams
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Weaning Age ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Daily Gain

Weaning weight (ww) and conformation score (cs) records from Angus calves in five New South Wales herds were analysed by least-squares procedures to assess the nature and magnitude of variation. Herd, year, age of dam and sex were considered as main effects. Covariates included in the models were weaning age (WA) for ww and average daily gain (ADG), and both WA and ww for cs. Male calves (steers and bulls) were 16.6 kg heavier at weaning than female calves. Dams that were 5-8 years of age weaned calves that were 30.1 kg, 15.4 kg and 6.7 kg heavier than 2-, 3- and 4-year-old dams respectively. When ww was not included as a covariate in the model, age of dam effects on cs reflected those on ww, and there was little difference in cs between males and females. When adjusted for differences in ww, males had poorer cs than females, and calves from 3-year-old dams, and from dams over 8 years old, had poorer cs than those from dams of all other ages. Partial regressions of ww and ADG on WA, and of cs on ww, varied considerably between herd/year/sex subgroups.

Production responses in selenium supplemented sheep in northern New South Wales. 2. Liveweight gain, wool production and reproductive performance in young Merino ewes given selenium and copper supplements

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (115) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Wilkins ◽  
RJ Kilgour ◽  
AC Gleeson ◽  
RJ Cox ◽  
SJ Geddes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Copper Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Selenium Treatment

Young Merino ewes on five commercial properties in northern New South Wales were supplemented with selenium and their production was compared with untreated flock mates. They were studied from weaning till first lambing at about two years of age. Treatments of 5 mg selenium were given orally every six weeks for approximately 12 months. Copper treatments were also included to test for a possible concurrent deficiency or interaction with selenium. There were significant responses to selenium in liveweight in four of the five flocks and in wool production in two of the flocks at both shearings. Reproductive performance at first mating was also significantly better in two flocks. There were no beneficial effects of copper treatment nor were there any significant interactions with selenium treatment in any aspect of production measured.

scholarly journals A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 2. Herd management, reproductive performance and animal health

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Nogueira ◽  
B. Gummow ◽  
C. P. Gardiner ◽  
J. Cavalieri ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Herd Management ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Boer Goats

An interview-based questionnaire survey was conducted on 31 goat properties in New South Wales and Queensland in 2013. This study has gathered information on goat herd management, reproductive performance and animal health, and has identified constraints that may limit goat productivity. Producers from high-rainfall regions reported having full blood Boer goats for stud breeding. In contrast, producers from pastoral regions had rangeland goats and Boer-cross goats. Overall, 87% of the producers identified a natural breeding season in goats and 61% separated kids from their mothers at weaning. The weaning age varied between 3.0 and 6.0 months. A total of 52% of producers castrated male kids. Only 10% of producers used ultrasound to conduct pregnancy diagnosis on their goats. The reported pregnancy rate was 60% for the pastoral regions and 94% for the high-rainfall regions. The average prolificacy was 1.4 kids/doe and the kidding interval was 12 months. Overall, 68% of producers fed their goat herd with supplements, with the exception that most producers from western New South Wales and south-western Queensland did not use supplements. Producers considered gastrointestinal parasites (61%) and body lice (48%) as the main diseases associated with their goat herds, although only 52% mentioned drenching the animals with anthelmintics. In general, properties in the pastoral regions showed low pregnancy and kidding rates, early age at first mating, high mortality rates, poor performance of Boer bucks and lower weights and weight gain compared with properties in the high-rainfall regions. The survey has highlighted areas that require further study to validate the observations of producers, for instance, factors that may be limiting the fertility of Boer goats in rangeland environments, the incidence of diseases, the use of Kidplan and management activities to improve goat productivity.

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