Editorial EditorialThe timing was perfect. We had the first significant rain in Canterbury on the very day that national radio news advised us of no end in sight for the current drought-like conditions. This melancholy prediction had come from the well-meaning professionals who analyse weather records. Unfortunately, as this example illustrates, there does seem to be a large gulf between the opinions of experts and the reality. I hope animal production scientists are not viewed by the public in a similar light. Likewise in the context of weather, we have the oft-quoted expression 'global warming' which has been echoed so repeatedly that I suspect many people; scientists, politicians and business leaders alike; may think that it is a fact. Most of us know better. There is no evidence for current global warming in the sense of it being a new, inexorable phenomenon with dire consequences. To date we have experienced a short-term increase in mean temperature no different from similar oscillations which have occurred throughout the recordable history of global weather - about 170 thousand years. If the current trend continues for a few more decades we will be able to say that it is unusual. Until then, the predicted 'global warming' scenario is merely conjecture. It is prudent for us to plan as if the event might happen, it would be foolish not to, but to claim it as a present day fact indicates a lack of scrutiny of the data or a form of mass hysteria.
This latter possibility reminds me of the debate about entry of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into food chains including our own. Again, we seem to be confronted by latter day Luddites or by non-critical minds swept along by a similar flood of unreasoned conjecture. Where are the cries of concern about possible harm from hybrid organisms, organically grown foods, naturally occurring toxicants and the unmonitored processes involved in some of the material we ingest? There seems to be an element of self delusion or hypocrisy behind the anti GMO protests, but maybe the problem here arises from our own inability to provide the voice of reason to the public ear. Much of this particular debate concerns animal production, directly or indirectly, so animal production people have to be prepared to engage themselves in the argument. Put your hand up if you have entered the public forum on any of these issues.
.................I haven't either!
Graham Barrell
Possible Primary Industry Conference WeekThey state there are 14 organisations running conferences of interest to members of NZSFM (and presumably NZSAP) and these often clashed in time at opposite ends of the country.
They proposed a common week sometime between March and August with shared sessions between relevant organisations where appropriate. They suggest a joint conference along these lines would need facilities and acommodation to handle up to 700 attendees.
The Management Committee discussed the ramifications of such a proposal. There are considerable merits in a joint conference as there would be a reduced cost of travel for members to attend plus the ability to attend sessions of other organisations or joint sessions. Also a possible reduction in organising costs would be welcome in an era of reduced funding for primary production and science.
We have indicated that we are willing to join in discussions about the proposal but that we could not participate in such an event until the year 2001. The reason for the delay is because planning for the 60th Jubilee Conference of NZSAP in Hamilton next year is well underway and we want to celebrate this milestone in a special way.
I do not think this procrastination is necessarily bad. We would like to gauge your views on the merits of a joint conference week. Please make your opinion known to a member of the Management Committee.
I am delighted to inform you that it is with sincere gratitude that we acknowledge the continuing support of LANDCORP and their generous assistance with the running of the Society's Annual Conferences.
Please note that nominations for officers of the Society are required by April 30 (see below).
Denis Elvidge
Nominations for management committeeNOMINATIONS MUST BE IN THE HANDS OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY BY APRIL 30 1999
Nominations need to specify the position nominated, the name of the nominee (please print), the signiture of the nominee, the printed name of the proposer and their signature, the printed name of the seconder and their signature, and the date.
New Members
| Mr Carlos Batallas | Auckland |
| Ms Christine Bristol | Feilding |
| Mr Tim Day | AgResearch, Ruakura |
| Mr Jagunder Dhanda | University of Queensland, Australia |
| Mr Brian Patchett | Ashburton |
| Mr Rod Paterson | Omarama |
| Mr Hamish Reid | Oxford |
| Mr Chris Rogers | Massey University, Palmerston North |
| Mr Ian Tarbotton | AgResearch, Ruakura |
| Mr Selwyn Thompson | Rakaia |
| Mr Gerry Williams | Auckland |
Resignations
NZSAP Annual Conference 1999The College is at 89 Church Street, Mosgiel. When entering Mosgiel from SH1, and after crossing the railway line on Gordon Road, take the first street to the right (Park Street). Park Street is a short street connecting Gordon Road and Church Street. At the end of Park Street continue straight ahead into the College entrance. The College is about 10 minutes from Dunedin airport and is in easy walking distance to shops.
The LIC lecture will be presented by Dr Warren Parker (General Manager Dairy and Beef Division, AgResearch Ruakura). Before joining AgResearch in 1998, Dr Parker was Professor of Farm Management and Agricultural Systems in the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University. His address will be entitled Farm Performance Measurement - Linking Monitoring and Decision-making to Business Strategy. In summary Warren will discuss how farm monitoring and evaluation are part of the control function of management. Increasing attention is being given to performance measures as indicators of farm business strategy through linking day-to-day management to the goals of the manager/owner. This shift in thinking focuses the performance measures around a few key success factors. The resulting model enables farm monitoring to be better linked with farm strategies and performance measures. This should further encourage farmers to monitor their system in order to gain feedback for evaluating decisions and predicting future performance.
Programme outline
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday | |
| Morning | LIC Lecture Farm and flock monitoring |
Nutrition Dairy & Beef |
Pests & Toxins Meat | |
| Afternoon | Wool production Young members |
Sheep management Deer & Venison |
Reproduction Field trip |
|
| Evening | AGM |
Presidential address |
Conference dinner |
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of NZSAP 22 June 1998ATTENDANCE Forty three members in attendance. Minute secretary Roland Sumner.
That to protect cash reserves while meeting planned expenditure to publish Occasional Publications 12 and 14,
and further expand the Web Site, the 1999 subscription be increased to NZ$55.00 (GST incl.) for New Zealand
and Australian members, NZ$27.50 (GST incl.) for Student and Retired members and US$55.00 for members outside
Australasia.
Moved Smith/Elvidge. Carried.
That KPMG be re-appointed as auditors for the Society accounts.
Moved S Davis/Grace. Carried.
Vote of thanks to Denis Elvidge for his services as Editor.
Moved Nicoll/Shackell. Carried by acclamation.
Opened for discussion.
Amendment 1: That the words "..collaboration of all those.." in item 2(i) a) be replaced with
"..collaboration among those..".
Amended Motion 1 (Constitutional change): That the objects of the NZSAP in para 2 items a), b) and c) be replaced with the following objects.
Item 2 (i)
"The incoming Management Committee will develop job descriptions for these new portfolios to be
presented at the 1999 AGM."
Moved Garrick/S Davis. Carried.
Opened for discussion.
Amendment 1: That the motion be split into two sections with the first paragraph being a constitutional change
and the second paragraph a recommendation to the incoming Management Committee.
Amended Motion 3b (Recommendation to Management Committee): That the incoming Management Committee develop
job descriptions for each portfolio and present them for ratification at the 1999 AGM.
Moved Smith/S Davis. Carried.
| Immediate Past President | D J Garrick |
| President | D G Elvidge |
| Vice President | A R Bray |
| Secretary | R M W Sumner |
| Treasurer | J F Smith |
| Editor of Proceedings | D J Cottle |
| Newsletter Manager | G K Barrell |
| Web Site Manager | N B Jopson |
| Publications Manager | N D Grace |
| Chairman Conference Committee | G H Davis | |
Meeting reconvened 7:10 p.m., 23 June 1998 in Lecture Room AH1, Massey University in front of all Conference delegates.
Kenneth Eric Jury for services to research and development within New Zealand livestock industries.
Moved S Davis/Garrick. Carried by acclamation
The NZDB organises its R&D portfolio around eighteen global programmes. Each global programme comprises a set of strategies and research projects which contribute to a common industry outcome. Five of the global programmes are directed at milk production, eleven at milk processing and two cover both production and processing.
In July 1997 the DRC was given the responsibility for co-ordinating the farm global programmes on behalf of NZDB. A key feature of this co-ordination is the appointment of Global Programme Leaders. This is a part-time, but important, function for relevant experts from either the dairy or science industries. The leaders for the programmes which cover milk production are:
| Programme | Leader | Affiliation |
| Dairying systems | Dave Clark | DRC |
| Animal improvement | Rob Jackson | LIC |
| Reproductive technology | Rob Pringle (acting)   | DRC |
| Animal health and welfare   | Lindsay Burton | LIC |
| Forage and feeding | John Caradus | AgResearch |
| Milk characteristics | Mike Boland | DRI |
| Environment | Jim Barnett | DRI |
Animal Science Award ReportsTom Barry Massey University, presented review papers on deer nutrition and production from forage-based diets at the 2nd World Deer Farming Congress in Ireland and the 4th International Deer Biology Congress in Hungary during June and July 1998, respectively. He also spent 5 weeks at the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland and visited animal science departments at universities in Australia (Queensland), Croatia (Zagreb) and Mexico (Queretaro).
Kerst Stelwagen AgResearch, Ruakura, attended the combined meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ASDA) and the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) which was preceeded by the 4th International Workshop on the Biology of Lactation in Farm Animals, all at Denver, Colorado, USA in July 1998. Kerst presented three papers based on the Ruakura studies of distension of mammary glands during filling. He noted research from other centres indicating that there are components of milk lipids which may be beneficial for human health, such as conjugated linoleic acid which is particularly high in milk of grass fed cows as in New Zealand.
George Davis AgResearch, Invermay, presented an invited paper at the 49th annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) at Warsaw, Poland during August 1998. George was able to bring international attention to the level of work which has been done in New Zealand on specific genes for fertility in sheep and the development of commercial marker tests for them. He also visited the TEAGASC Athenry and Belclare Research Centres in Galway, Ireland where he examined, laparoscopically, ewes which appear to have genetic disorders causing infertility resulting in "streak" ovaries, as occurs in Inverdale sheep.
Chris Burke Dairying Research Corporation, Hamilton, attended the combined ASDA/ASAS meeting (see Kerst Stelwagen, above) and the subsequent 5th International Symposium on Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants at Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA during August 1998. He presented two papers on the post partum ovarian manipulation work of the group in Hamilton. Chris also took the opportunity to promote himself as well as the DRC and NZ's dairy industry at Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio), West Virginia University (Morgantown, West Virginia) and University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska).
Recent grant recipients
ECNZ Otago Science FairForms 1 & 2 - "How do different wools felt?"; "Fat, fur and furnishings" (this was about temperature regulation); "How do domestic horses behave in new surroundings?" and "Can studying horse manure improve horse management?"
Forms 3 & 4 - "Worms" "Eggs R us"
Form 5 to 7 - "Iron in meat" "Metabolism in liver"; "The irony of it all" (this was some analytical biochemistry). There were also the usual pet behaviour studies, such as investigating their food preferences, and a report on goat genetics. A highlight was the project which acknowledged help from "Mum" and where the pet dog preferred the least 'healthy' of the diets on offer.
Grant Shackell
Wool Technology and
Sheep BreedingThis journal, previously published by the University of New South Wales, is now published by the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ). Members of the New Zealand sheep and wool industries, from farmers to scientists, are invited to subscribe and/or contribute, with original articles dealing with on-farm production, handling, transport, early-stage processing and marketing of wool, and all aspects of sheep breeding and husbandry in Australia and New Zealand. For further details, contact the Editor, Dr David Cottle, WRONZ, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, New Zealand. Phone 03 325 2421 Fax 03 325 2717 E-mail Cottle@wronz.org.nz
Upcoming Events
Nutrition of Herbivores, 11-16 April 1999
The 5th International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores to be held in
San Antonio Texas, is dedicated to an ecological approach to the nutrition of
herbivores and will focus on mechanistic concepts of the biological process that
comprise nutritional ecology. Further details can be obtained via the web site
home page ( http://cnrit.tamu.edu/conf/isnh) or by contacting W.C. Ellis,
Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA;
Phone USA 409-845 5063; E-mail: w-ellis@tamu.edu.
For registration details contact Ms Caroline Adkins, Secretary, 5th International
Herbivore Symposium, Department of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station,
Texas, USA 77843-2471; Phone USA 409 845 5214, Fax USA 409 845 5292; Email:
caroline-adkins@ansc.tamu.edu.
Satellite Symposia:
Animal Science and Production, 3-7 July 1999 (note change of date)
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. Phone: 61 46 55 0232;
Fax: 61 46 55 2374;
E-mail: peterw@camden.usyd.edu.au
For Scientific Programme details contact Dr Geoff Robards, Department of
Wool and Animal Science, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
Phone 61 2 9385 4494; Fax 61 2 9385 5953; Email:
g.robards@unsw.edu.au.
For Registration and Accommodation details contact AAAP/ASAP 2000
Secretariat, c/- Tour Hosts Conference & Exhibition Organiser, GPO Box
128, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia; Phone 61 2 9262 2277; Fax 61 2 9262
2323; Email: aaap/asap2000@tourhosts.co.au.
Joint AWAC/ANZCCART Conference, 18 -19 November 1999
A conference entitled "Inovation, ethics and animal welfare: Public confidence in science and
agriculture" will be held at Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand, Wellington.
Further information from Mrs Gill Sutherland, The Royal Society of New Zealand, PO Box 598,
Wellington; Phone 04 472 7421; Fax 04 473 1841. Email: Sutherland.g@rsnz.govt.nz
Special Interest GroupsThe structure of NZSAP has allowed members to have significant input into the affairs of the Society through appointment to the Management committee, the Conference subcommittee, or through voicing their concerns at Annual General Meetings. Participation in the Mmanagement or Conference Committees brings along a number of administrative commitments that many members would prefer not to shoulder. At the 1998 AGM, a motion was carried that Special Interest Groups (SIGs) be formed, which will have an active role in determining the structure of the Annual Conference and providing expert commentary on behalf of the Society. Such discipline groups have already existed in an ad-hoc and informal manner, sometimes even arranging meetings to coincide with participation at the NZSAP Annual Conference.
Participation in one or more SIGs is not compulsory and many of our 500 members are not expected to take up this option. However, those active scientists, who wish to contribute to the development of the Society, but without the additional demands associated with the management committee, are invited to consider championing a SIG. The topics of the SIGs are expected to change with time as new topics gain interest and old topics lose momentum. At the 1998 Conference a significant group formed to hold a symposium on voluntary food intake - such a group could have undertaken these activities as a SIG. Other SIGs of current or past interest might include global warming, feeds and feeding, extension, once-daily milking, animal welfare, sheep crossbreeding, genomics, transgenics, genetically-modified food, internal parasites, reproduction etc. It is expected that members rather than management committee will drive the formation of SIGs. Please give thought to those SIGs that you might contribute to so that we can further develop this concept during the 1999 Annual Conference.
Dorian Garrick
Occasional Publications
Reproductive Management of Grazing Ruminants in New Zealand
Edited by E. D. Fielden and J. F. Smith
Substantial knowledge from New Zealand based research on managing reproductive performance within the herd or flock is a key element to the improved efficiency of New Zealand farming systems.
This knowledge is drawn together within this publication.
A multi-author approach has been used and all authors are experts in their particular field.
This publication of 220 pages contains chapters on:-
Hormonal Control of the Reproductive Processes; Comparative
Reproductive Performance; Seasonal Factors Influencing Reproductive
Management; Modifying Reproductive Processes; Reproductive Management of
Dairy Cattle; Sheep; Beef Cattle; Deer; Goats; Camelids; Monitoring
Reproductive Performance as an Aid to Management; Future Developments in
Reproductive Technology for Livestock Species; and has been aimed at
all those with a serious interest in the efficient reproductive
management of domestic ruminants in New Zealand.
See the Occassion Publications page for prices and ordering information.
 
The NZSAP is offering a special package deal of:-
for NZ$50 (Australia,NZ and Pacific) or US$50 (Rest of The World)...a saving of $25.
See the Occassion Publications page for ordering information.
Annual subscriptions and membership
Members: The 1999 annual subscription is now due!
For full members from New Zealand and Australia the fee is NZ$55.00 (reduced to NZ$ 27.50 for students and
retired members). Members residing overseas (except Australia) pay US$55.00.
A personal membership fee invoice is enclosed with the hard copy of this newsletter mailed to members.
Please return the form with your payment. Students must have the form signed by their academic supervisor.
NZSAP now has the facilities to accept payment via credit cards.
This can be done by submission of the card Name; card Number; card Type and card Expiry Date by either mail, fax, or Email to the NZSAP Executive Secretary detailing what and who the payment is for and including contact postal addresses and phone/fax numbers etc.
CARD SWIPE facilities for these two cards will be available at future meetings.
Payment by Electronic transfer is also available to some clients but these are only accepted under strict conditions. Contact Lynne Smith for further details.
Non-members: An invitation is extended to those involved in the field of Animal Production to apply for membership in the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. The Society is concerned with all aspects of Animal Production and in particular:
1998/99 Management Committee
About this issueThis Newsletter is compiled at the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln University, Canterbury and copied and distributed at AgResearch Ruakura.
Any contributions should be forwarded to:
Graham Barrell
Animal & Food Sciences Division,
P.O. Box 84,
Lincoln University,
CANTERBURY
Email: barrell@lincoln.ac.nz
