Genetic Parameters for Growth, Ultrasound and Carcass Traits in New Zealand Beef Cattle and Their Correlations with Maternal Performance

Research has shown that enhancing finishing performance in beef cows is feasible; however, any adverse impact of selection strategies for finishing performance on the performance of the maternal herd should be taken into account. The aim of this research was to examine the inheritance of growth, ultrasound and carcass traits in finishing beef cattle and to evaluate their correlations with maternal performance traits. Data were collected from a nationwide progeny test on commercial New Zealand hill country farms comprising a total of 4473 beef cows and their progeny. Most finishing traits were moderately to highly heritable (0.28–0.58) with the exception of meat or fat colour and ossification (0.00–0.12). Ultrasound scan traits had high genetic correlations with corresponding traits measured at slaughter (rg = 0.53–0.95) and may be used as a selection tool for improved genetic merit of the beef carcass. Fat content determined via ultrasound scanning in the live animal or at slaughter in finishing cattle is positively genetically correlated with rebreeding performance (rg = 0.22–0.39) in female herd replacements and negatively correlated with mature cow live weight (rg = −0.40 to −0.19). Low-magnitude associations were observed between the genetic merit for carcass fat traits with body condition in mature cows.

A Framework for Reviewing Silvopastoralism: A New Zealand Hill Country Case Study

Silvopastoral systems can be innovative solutions to agricultural environmental degradation, especially in hilly and mountainous regions. A framework that expresses the holistic nature of silvopastoral systems is required so research directions can be unbiased and informed. This paper presents a novel framework that relates the full range of known silvopastoral outcomes to bio-physical tree attributes, and uses it to generate research priorities for a New Zealand hill country case study. Current research is reviewed and compared for poplar (Populus spp.), the most commonly planted silvopastoral tree in New Zealand hill country, and kānuka (Kunzea spp.), a novel and potentially promising native alternative. The framework highlights the many potential benefits of kānuka, many of which are underappreciated hill country silvopastoral outcomes, and draws attention to the specific outcome research gaps for poplar, despite their widespread use. The framework provides a formalised tool for reviewing and generating research priorities for silvopastoral trees, and provides a clear example of how it can be used to inform research directions in silvopastoral systems, globally.

Competition or Catastrophe: A Mixed Method Study on the Influence of Class Rank on Course Decisions

This study analyzed the extent to which class rank competition influences individual class selection by juniors at a high school in the Texas Hill Country and determined if its effects vary among students of different rankings. Students of both high and low rankings were interviewed to determine their perceptions towards, and behavior in response to academic competition. Subject responses generally correlated to one of three themes: class rank as an academic motivator, the influence of ranking on mental health, and student suggested improvements. The results suggested that GPA played a significant role in many student’s decisions concerning their courses, specifically in encouraging them to take AP, Dual Credit, and Honors classes- regardless of whether they were high or low ranking.

Methodological sensitivities for co-producing knowledge through enduring trustful partnerships

Indigenous ways of caring for the environment have long been marginalised through research methodologies that are blind to a range of ways of knowing the world. Co-production of knowledge across Indigenous knowledge systems and Western scientific approaches is receiving attention both internationally and within the science system in Aotearoa New Zealand. Addressing power asymmetries as part of the co-production process is also slowly gaining recognition. Those involved in knowledge co-production initiatives must support learning about different world views, ways of knowing and accounting for the environment, while also enabling learning of the many biases and assumptions built into methodologies. This deliberation is needed, so non-Indigenous researchers can form enduring trustworthy partnerships and contribute to co-production initiatives. Presented here are insights shared by a cohort of environment research practitioners who have been deliberating on co-production occurring across knowledge systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Originating from analysis of interviews undertaken about relationships recreational groups have with Te Urewera (forested hill country in the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand), this paper depicts a layered reflection on how non-Māori (primarily but not exclusively) across Aotearoa New Zealand are learning to be manuhiri (those being welcomed on arrival to a place by the Indigenous people of that place). As a contribution to this collective learning, a set of methodological sensitivities are proposed as support for research amidst changing relationships with places. Doing so we aim to contribute to reflexive and decolonising encounters with Indigenous approaches to environmental care.

The February 2004 Landslide Event in Geomorphic Perspective

<p>In February 2004 a severe storm impacted the lower half of the North Island, New Zealand. Intense rainfall during the storm triggered extensive landsliding throughout the Tertiary hill country of Wanganui, Manawatu, and Wairarapa. The storm event also produced floods estimated to have a return period of 100 years. Flooding impacted on many communities, destroying homes, drowning livestock, and ruining crops. Because the effects of flooding were more immediate, and affected a greater number of people, landsliding damage received little coverage in the news media. However, the importance of these large rainfall-triggered, multiple landslide events that occur periodically in New Zealand should not be underestimated. New Zealand is losing valuable hillslope soil through erosion processes at a rate far in excess of the development of new soil. Landsliding is the most obvious and active hillslope erosion process operating in the hill country of New Zealand today. This study examines the impact of the February 2004 landslide event from a geomorphic perspective, addressing questions such as: what changes to landforms were produced by this event, and, how much geomorphic work (volume of material, moved a given distance in a given time) was done by landsliding during the event. The proposition underlying this study is that it is not just the magnitude of the triggering event that determines the geomorphic response in terms of landform change and work done, but also that the nature of the terrain influences the magnitude (e.g. landslide densities, volumes, areal extent) of the landsliding produced. In order to test this hypothesis the study was undertaken in two parts. The first, a catchment-based study using mostly field methods to produce a sediment budget and landform change measurement. Secondly, a regional analysis of four areas which experienced the most severe landslide damage were analysed in terms of terrain and landslide characteristics. From the methodologies employed in these studies it is demonstrated that terrain characteristics are highly influential in determining the type and severity of landsliding. To determine the geomorphic significance of the event in terms of the history of similar New Zealand landslide events, a frequency-magnitude analysis comparison was conducted, and the results compared with studies of previous rainfall-triggered, multiple landslide events. The results of the catchment-based study, the regional study, and the frequencymagnitude analysis show that the February 2004 event is likely to be the most geomorphically significant event of its type (rainfall-triggered) to have occurred in New Zealand over the past 100 years. The area affected (16,000 [square kilometer]) and number of landslides produced (~70,000) are greater than previously documented events. Landslide densities are also amongst the highest recorded in New Zealand. Although the majority of landslides were shallow regolith failures, large scars from deep-seated, rotational landslides will be visible in the landscape for hundreds of years. Material eroded from hillslopes during the event is estimated (conservatively) to be in excess of 20 million tonnes. While the majority of this eroded material remains within the hillslope system (depositional slopes and fans), a considerable proportion (an average of 25 % in the study catchment) is transferred to fluvial systems via fluvial coupling and removed from hillslopes permanently.</p>

The February 2004 Landslide Event in Geomorphic Perspective

<p>In February 2004 a severe storm impacted the lower half of the North Island, New Zealand. Intense rainfall during the storm triggered extensive landsliding throughout the Tertiary hill country of Wanganui, Manawatu, and Wairarapa. The storm event also produced floods estimated to have a return period of 100 years. Flooding impacted on many communities, destroying homes, drowning livestock, and ruining crops. Because the effects of flooding were more immediate, and affected a greater number of people, landsliding damage received little coverage in the news media. However, the importance of these large rainfall-triggered, multiple landslide events that occur periodically in New Zealand should not be underestimated. New Zealand is losing valuable hillslope soil through erosion processes at a rate far in excess of the development of new soil. Landsliding is the most obvious and active hillslope erosion process operating in the hill country of New Zealand today. This study examines the impact of the February 2004 landslide event from a geomorphic perspective, addressing questions such as: what changes to landforms were produced by this event, and, how much geomorphic work (volume of material, moved a given distance in a given time) was done by landsliding during the event. The proposition underlying this study is that it is not just the magnitude of the triggering event that determines the geomorphic response in terms of landform change and work done, but also that the nature of the terrain influences the magnitude (e.g. landslide densities, volumes, areal extent) of the landsliding produced. In order to test this hypothesis the study was undertaken in two parts. The first, a catchment-based study using mostly field methods to produce a sediment budget and landform change measurement. Secondly, a regional analysis of four areas which experienced the most severe landslide damage were analysed in terms of terrain and landslide characteristics. From the methodologies employed in these studies it is demonstrated that terrain characteristics are highly influential in determining the type and severity of landsliding. To determine the geomorphic significance of the event in terms of the history of similar New Zealand landslide events, a frequency-magnitude analysis comparison was conducted, and the results compared with studies of previous rainfall-triggered, multiple landslide events. The results of the catchment-based study, the regional study, and the frequencymagnitude analysis show that the February 2004 event is likely to be the most geomorphically significant event of its type (rainfall-triggered) to have occurred in New Zealand over the past 100 years. The area affected (16,000 [square kilometer]) and number of landslides produced (~70,000) are greater than previously documented events. Landslide densities are also amongst the highest recorded in New Zealand. Although the majority of landslides were shallow regolith failures, large scars from deep-seated, rotational landslides will be visible in the landscape for hundreds of years. Material eroded from hillslopes during the event is estimated (conservatively) to be in excess of 20 million tonnes. While the majority of this eroded material remains within the hillslope system (depositional slopes and fans), a considerable proportion (an average of 25 % in the study catchment) is transferred to fluvial systems via fluvial coupling and removed from hillslopes permanently.</p>