NZSAP: July 1997 Newsletter<title> </HEAD> <BODY BACKGROUND="../nzsapbg.jpg"> <H1>NZSAP Newsletter: July 1997</H1><HR> <I>Select the relevant topic</I><BR> <A HREF ="#edit">Editorial</a> | <A HREF ="#prez">Presidents Vision</a> | <A HREF ="#1998con">1998 Annual Conference</a> | <A HREF ="#awardrec">Award Recipients</a> | <A HREF ="#awardnom">Award Nominations</a> | <A HREF ="#grantrep">Recent Grant Recipients</a> | <A HREF ="#awardrep">Award Reports</a> | <A HREF ="#upcom">Upcoming Events</a> | <A HREF ="#nmem">Membership</a> | <A HREF ="#abouti">About this Issue</a> |<HR> <A NAME="edit"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> Editorial</H2></a> Our last Annual Conference at Lincoln University continued with the recent theme of making changes to the workings of the Society, including the move to a <B>mid-winter annual conference</B> (see item later in this issue). The direction of the Society’s future was also discussed with the Management Committee to review the objectives, name, management and conference programme, structure and timing for consideration at next year’s annual conference. This issue contains our President’s views and the Management Committee invites your views. Consequently, consideration of a change in the Society’s name was deferred. <P> Significant changes have also been made to the Society Awards with the <B>Animal Science Awards</B> replacing the former separate <B>Animal Science</B> and <B>Jubilee Awards</B>. New guidelines and application form have been established and are available on this <A HREF="http://nzsap.rsnz.govt.nz/about/sap148.html">website</A>. They will apply for a trial period of one year with the rules becoming the basis of a final draft for consideration at next year’s Annual General Meeting. The proposed Innovation Award, the New Zealand Society of Animal Production Science and Technology Award recognising the conference paper representing the greatest advance in science and/or technology, was accepted and the first award will be presented at our 1998 meeting. <P> Notwithstanding the debate about who the Society best serves, please remember that Society funds are there for your use and it is important that you use them. Applications are now called for the Animal Science Awards. Similarly, please keep in mind the Annual Awards the Society presents, and contact the Executive Secretary if you wish to nominate someone. The Management Committee also seeks nominations for the <B>Livestock Improvement Corporation Lecture</B>, the 1998 address to be given by an overseas speaker. <P> The Royal Society of New Zealand has advised that the Prince and Princess of Wales Science Award has been replaced in part by the Royal Society of New Zealand Science and Technology Awards. These are aimed at enabling both PhD students to attend their first international scientific conference and established scientists, technologists and technicians to travel overseas to undertake short-term studies, learn new techniques or develop new expertise. The Royal Society has also published "Meat and Human Health", the proceedings of the symposium organised at our Society’s request. It is available for $20 per copy plus postage. For more details contact the Royal Society of New Zealand, P O Box 598, Wellington. <P> It is with regret that we accept <B>Gayle Prenter’s</B> resignation and with pleasure welcome <B>Lynne Smith</B> as Executive Secretary. To help, please check that your subscription is current (the year on your address label indicates your last year of payment). Payments are gratefully received by our Executive Secretary and will ensure you will receive a copy of the 1997 Proceedings. <P> From the archives of particularly useless information come these historical techniques for managing the reproductive performance of animals. Castration of rams by pounding the testicles between two stones (apparently practised by the Masai), the insertion of a small pebble into the uterus to prevent breeding in she-camels required for riding (the Tuareg people), and the stimulation of milk ejection by inflating the vagina with air (the cattle-keeping peoples of Africa, Asia and Europe). Finally, from the handbook of llama husbandry, the techniques for keeping immature males from pregnant females include having the herder correct the young males behaviour by separating him from the pregnant females, with a slingshot towards the head if necessary. If this doesn’t work, attach nettle to the female’s tail which hurts the male’s penis when penetration is attempted. <P> <B><I>Mark Fisher</I></B> <HR> <A NAME="prez"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> President's Vision</H2></a> The application of animal breeding and genetics involves three discrete phases. First, one must clarify the goal to which one strives, second, one must identify the achievements that will allow progression towards the goal, and finally, one must put in place those actions that ensure relevant achievements are accomplished. In practice, the major constraint to improvement is the failure to identify those achievements that will enable progression towards ones goals. These same phases apply to all ventures I am familiar with, regardless of whether or not inheritance takes a role in improvement. <P> The 1997 Conference included a so-called "futures" session whereby some useful discussion highlighted many inadequacies that I believe are currently limiting any systematic advancement of the Society. Central to our inadequacy is our failure to identify our customers or clients. To whom are we here to serve? We must define who (and why) we are here, in order to measure the extent to which we are meeting our goals. <P> Some possible suggestions, that our audience laboured to describe, included producers, so-called free riders such as government, our employers, research funders, companies, agricultural investors, and other non-members. Let's not forget that the Society exists only because some current and previous members have invested their most valuable resources, time, enthusiasm and effort to make it what it is today. <P> Without implying any discredit to current and former champions of the Society, I believe we have laboured not directly for producers, government, employers or non-members, but for ourselves. That is, we are a Society of Animal Scientists. At least I hope that is what we are - for if we claim to be anything other - such as an organisation for community service (extension), a political lobby group or disseminator of science - I can only conclude we have, and are failing dismally. Of course, there are other providers of technology transfer, other political lobby groups and a whole range of international disseminators of research findings. But there are no other Societies for Animal Scientists in New Zealand. <P> I believe, before we consider name changes, or major changes to the way we do our business, we must reaffirm why, and for whom we are here. In the meantime, as you will see later in this newsletter, we will be trialing a new date for the annual conference, along with a pre-published format for the Conference Proceedings (precluding the need for an Abstract booklet, and separate publication of mini-posters). The elimination of the traditional poster session in preference to mini-posters has been well received although the time available for mini-poster presentations will be reviewed prior to the 1998 conference. <P> The next twelve months will no doubt represent a period of change, and hopefully the actions of our members will ensure that these developments prove to be progress. In recent times, we have seen the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers for AgResearch and Dairy Research Corporation, a replacement Vice-Chancellor at Lincoln University, and newly-established Pro-Vice Chancellor to head the Massey University College of Sciences formed from five previous Faculties. At all these institutions, most staff with whom I interact view these changes as exciting new opportunities to refocus on institutional goals and advance their research and other collegial activities. <P> I look forward to many opportunities to interact with fellow members of the Society over the coming twelve months and to your constructive assistance in developing a shared vision against which future achievements in the Society can be benchmarked. <P> <B><I>Dorian Garrick</I></B> <HR> <A NAME="1998con"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> 1998 Annual Conference</H2></a><P> Several changes to our traditional conference format are being planned for the meeting scheduled to be held at Massey University including: <UL> <LI><B>Time - Monday 22 to Thursday 25 June 1998</B> to better accommodate changes imposed by the University semester system. </LI> <LI>A Programme Committee consisting of the President (Chair), Editor, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, the Contract proposers, the Vice-President or Past-President and two other members will produce a conference theme or themes prior to a call for abstracts. </LI> <LI>Abstracts in the current format will be called for in late spring to be submitted by <B>1 December, 1997</B>. The Programme Committee will arrange the programme around the theme or themes identifying review speakers and priority topics and as appropriate more traditional conferences sessions. The aim is to construct a conference rather than merely enable presentations. </LI> <LI>Full papers to be submitted by <B>8 March</B> with peer review, revision and <B>publication prior to the conference</B>. </LI> </UL><HR> <A NAME="awardrec"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> 1998 Annual Award Recipients</H2></a><P> <B>McMEEKAN MEMORIAL AWARD - Neville Grace:</B> Neville is a leading authority on macro-element and trace element requirements of farm animals, especially ruminants, and his work has contributed much to the understanding of the diagnosis and prevention of trace element deficiencies in grazing livestock relating to cobalt, copper, iodine and selenium. His work has resulted in the publication of "Managing Trace Element Deficiencies" in 1994, the definitive reference book for farm consultants. Neville has emphasised the need for good planning in developing procedures to overcome element deficiencies, but also for avoiding indiscriminate administering of supplementation. He has also had a major impact on the development of new animal remedies, using novel controlled release technologies to treat trace element deficiencies such as selenium and cobalt. <P> <B>SIR ARTHUR WARD AWARD - Colin Holmes:</B> Colin is internationally recognised for his research in efficiency issues for grazing dairy cows, but is equally well regarded for his contributions to teaching, research and extension. His research has included advocating use of the Massey Grass Meter, using somatic cell counts to detect the presence of mastitis, looking at ways of improving the efficiency of winter milk production for "town milk" needs, and studying the link between cow size and optimum efficiency. He has also played a major role in the publication of "Milk Production from Pasture". <P> <B>HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP - Alan Kirton:</B> This award recognises Alan’s considerable contribution to research into improving meat quality in New Zealand. He has also undertaken leading roles in several New Zealand science organisations, and held various positions within the Society, including president, using these positions to speak out strongly on issues affecting New Zealand science and agriculture. <P> <B>The YOUNG MEMBERS AWARD</B> was presented to Jenny Jago for her presentation to the Annual Conference entitled A vaccine to control bull behaviour. <B>NZSAP JUBILEE UNIVERSITY AWARDS</B> went to <B>Matthew Ross</B> (Massey University) and <B>Campbell Sanders</B> (Lincoln University), and <B>Mark and Sally Lemon</B> of Lyndhurst , Mid Canterbury received the <B>LINCOLN UNIVERSITY CENTENNIAL AWARD</B>. <HR> <A NAME="awardnom"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> 1998 NZSAP award Nominations</H2></a><P> The Management Committee would like to remind members of the various awards that the Society has available. All members should be giving consideration to the awards and making an effort to ensure the Society is using the considerable sums invested both wisely and efficiently. <B>The awards are there to use funds owned by the membership to further Animal Production in New Zealand - please apply!</B> <P> <B>McMEEKAN MEMORIAL AWARD:</B> Recognises a substantial contribution to animal production in New Zealand or the Society over the previous five years. The nominee need not be a member of the Society. Nominations are required by the end of September each year. <P> <B>SIR ARTHUR WARD AWARD:</B> recognises the successful application of research via a practice or practices which facilitates more efficient animal production in New Zealand. The nominee may be an individual, a team, or a company and need not be member(s) of the Society. Nominations are required by the end of September each year. <P> <B>YOUNG MEMBERS AWARD:</B> An award made to foster excellence in science and presentation, made to a young member at the Annual Conference of the Society. The awardee must be under 35, the senior author and presenting either his/her first or second paper to the Society. <P> <B>LINCOLN UNIVERSITY CENTENNIAL AWARD:</B> An award made in association with Lincoln University to a farmer who has made a significant contribution to the University through participation in field trips or by supervision of practical work. Nominations must be with the University by February 28 each year. <P> <B>NZSAP JUBILEE UNIVERSITY AWARDS:</B> These awards are made each year by Massey and Lincoln Universities to the 3rd year degree student at each institution who scores the best marks in Animal Production. <P> Nomination forms for the various awards can be obtained from the Executive Secretary by E-mail to:<a href="mailto:NZSAP.ANIMAL@xtra.co.nz"> NZSAP.ANIMAL@xtra.co.nz</a>. <HR> <A NAME="grantrep"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> 1998 Recent Grant Recipients</H2></a><P> Congratulations to the following members who have received Animal Science Awards:<P> <B>Martin van Houtert</B>, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, to attend the European Association for Animal Production meeting in Austria investigating interactions between disease, intake and nutrition in farm livestock.<P> <B>Cory Matthew</B>, Department of Plant Science, Massey University, to attend the International Grassland Congress in Canada and visit Utah State and Cornell Universities, as part of a programme aiming to improve animal production through optimising pasture production.<P> <B>Warren McNabb</B>, AgResearch Grasslands, to visit the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland to investigate nutritional influences on milk protein production in dairy cows, and to attend the International Grasslands and American Dairy Science meetings in Canada.<P> <B>Garry Waghorn</B>, AgResearch Grasslands, to attend the International Grasslands and American Dairy Science meetings in Canada and visit US groups involved in forage selection in dairy cattle.<P> <B>Alastair Nicol</B>, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, to attend the International Grassland Congress in Canada to present a paper on the application of mixed grazing to NZ hill country livestock systems.<HR> <A NAME="awardrep"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> Award Reports</H2></a><P> <B>Isam Kadim</B>, Massey University, received assistance from the Jubilee Fund to attend the 20th World Poultry Congress in India. The meeting provided an opportunity for some 2000 delegates comprising nutritionists, researchers and farmers to debate the development of aspects of world poultry production including the role of biotechnology.<P> <B>Chris Morris</B>, AgResearch Ruakura, attended the 12th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics in Australia. A major finding on the management of internal parasites in sheep came from a CSIRO study at Armidale, looking at various factors influencing faecal egg counts in 6-13 month-old lambs. The greatest effect came from selecting for low egg counts, the low egg count selection line lambs having only 30% of the control lambs. Ewe lambs had 51% of ram lamb egg counts, protein-supplemented lambs had 65% of the egg counts of unsupplemented lambs, and drenched lambs had 88% of the egg counts of undrenched lambs.<P> <B>Kerst Stelwagen</B>, AgResearch Ruakura, attended the 3rd International Workshop on the Biology of Lactation in Farm Animals, assisted by a Jubilee Fund Award. The meeting was held in Norway and focused on three main areas: extended lactation, the interface between lactation and reproduction with individual topics as diverse as the proteolytic activity and b-lactoglobulin levels in milk, mammary gland, development and growth factor expression and mastitis.<P> <B>Beverley Thomson</B>, Christchurch, attended the European Association of Animal Production and International Congress of Meat Science meetings in Norway, with the aid of the Animal Science Fund. Some of the most interesting features of the EAAP meeting included the emphasis on pigs and horses as well as sheep and cattle, and the objectives those from different countries bring ranging from those where keeping animals producing under harsh environmental conditions was paramount, to those where consumer issues of welfare and safety were more important. Similarly presentations ranged from ways of reducing the uptake of radionuclides from pasture to the effect of the Booroola gene on meat quality. In contrast to the Meat Science Congress, which emphasized "meat for the consumer" a beef business session at the EAAP conference although concerned about BSE, showed little or no interest in consumer requirements for meat quality.<P> <B>Mark Fisher</B>, AgResearch Invermay, visited the US, UK and France, with the assistance of the Jubilee Fund, as part of an investigation into the place of ethics in agriculture and agricultural science. The teaching and researching of ethics within agriculture is becoming common in many teaching institutions and research companies with dedicated groups in Texas, Iowa, Colorado and Nottingham investigating topics as diverse as animal welfare, genetic engineering, resource use, foreign aid, food safety and the environment. Agricultural ethics provides an opportunity to apply both common sense and more formal ethical principles and influences to help clarify some of these issues. Interestingly New Zealand was used in teaching programmes to demonstrate both questionable (live sheep exports) and applaudable (pre-slaughter stunning) standards of animal welfare.<HR> <A NAME="upcom"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> Upcoming Events</H2></a><P> <B>Meat Science and Technology, 27 July - 1 August 1997</B><BR> The 43rd International Congress of Meat Science and Technology, together with the 3rd Asia and Pacific Congress of Meat Science and Technology and the 29th New Zealand Meat Industry Research Conference will be held in Auckland. For further details contact The Conference Company, PO Box 90-040 Auckland. Telephone: 09 360 1240 Fax: 09 360 1242 <BR> E-mail: info@tcc.co.nz <P> <B>Boffins and Beancounters: is science driving the economy? 25-27 August 1997</B><BR> This year’s national agriculture/horticulture science convention which focuses on science and the economy, is to be held at Lincoln University. Further information can be obtained from E. Costello or H. Shrewsbury, Centre for Continuing Education, Lincoln University, P O Box 84, Lincoln. Telephone: 03 325 3832 Fax: 03 325 3840 <P> <B>Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, 11-16 January 1998</B><BR> The Sixth World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production will be held at University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia. Further details can be obtained from 6WCGALP, Livestock Industries Institute, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351 Australia. Telephone: 61-67-733609 Fax: 61-67-733611<BR> E-mail: <a href="mailto:6wcgalp@mendel.une.edu.au"> 6wcgalp@mendel.une.edu.au</a> Web page:<a href="http://www.une.edu.au/~6wcgalp/"> http://www.une.edu.au/~6wcgalp/</a> <P> <B>Animal Recording, 17-22 January 1998</B><BR> The 31st International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) and an associated INTERBULL meeting, of interest to those involved in animal recording and genetic improvement of livestock, will take place in Rotorua. Further details can be obtained from ICAR 98 Secretariat, Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton. Telephone: 07 856 0901 Fax: 07 856 2428<BR> E-mail: <a href="mailto:vsmith@ccm.livestock.org.nz"> vsmith@ccm.livestock.org.nz</a> <P> <B>World Conference on Animal Production, 28 June-4 July 1998</B><BR> The Eighth World Conference on Animal Production will be held at Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. For more information contact Dr Jong K. Ha, Chairman, Organizing Committee, 8th WCAP, Dept. of Animal Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Suweon, Korea 441-744. Telephone: 82-331-290-2348 or 292-0896, 0898 Fax: 82-331-292-3801 or 291-7722 E-mail: <a href="mailto:jongha@plaza.snu.ac.kr"> jongha@plaza.snu.ac.kr</a> <P> <B>Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants, 1-4 August 1998</B><BR> The Fifth International Symposium on Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. <P> <B>International Society for Animal Genetics, 9-14 August 1998</B><BR> The International Society for Animal Genetics meeting is to be held in Auckland. Further details can be obtained from Dr Tom Broad, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand. Telephone: 03 489 3809 Fax: 03 489 9038<BR> E-mail: <a href="mailto:broadte@agresearch.cri.nz"> broadte@agresearch.cri.nz</a> <P> <B>Animal Science and Production, 15-18 May 2000</B><BR> The 9th Animal Science Congress of the Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies is to be held in Sydney in conjunction with the 23rd Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production. For more information contact Dr Peter Wynn, Department of Animal Science, University of Sydney, PMB3, Camden NSW 2570, Australia. Telephone: 61 46 55 0232 Fax: 61 46 55 2374<BR> E-mail: <a href="mailto:peterw@camden.usyd.edu.au"> peterw@camden.usyd.edu.au</a> <HR> <A NAME="nmem"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> Membership</H2></a><P> The New Zealand Society of Animal Production warmly welcomes the following new members:<BR> <B>Chet Parsons</B> Animal Science Department, Massey University, Palmerston North<BR> <B>Fernandez Miguel</B> Angel Argentina <BR> <B>Craig Wright</B> AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel<BR> <B>Jim Fitzsimons</B> United Kingdom<P> Resignations were accepted from:<BR> <B>N.J. Edwards</B> Animal Science Group, Nedlands, Western Australia<BR> <B>T.W. Jordan</B> School of Biological Science, Victoria University, Wellington<BR> <HR> <A NAME="abouti"><H2><IMG SRC="../bul1.gif"> About this issue</H2></a><P> This Newsletter is compiled at AgResearch Invermay and copied and distributed by the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, Canterbury.<P> Any contributions should be forwarded to:<BR> Mark Fisher<BR> AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre,<BR> Private Bag 50034,<BR> MOSGIEL<P> E-Mail:<a href="mailto:fisherm@agresearch.cri.nz"> fisherm@agresearch.cri.nz</a> <HR> <B><I>last updated 23 July 1997</I></B><P> <A HREF="../sap3.html"><IMG SRC="../sapmn.gif" alt="Main"></A> </BODY> </HTML>