Stephen Todd Morris

A long‐term study was started in 2020 to monitor the transition of a Romney‐based flock to a fully‐shedding flock as a potential strategy to reduce shearing costs. Romney ewes ( n = 400) were bred to Wiltshire rams, alongside a control group of Romney ewes ( n = 200) bred to Romney rams. Each subsequent Wiltshire‐cross generation was then backcrossed to Wiltshire rams to progressively increase the Wiltshire genetic composition. Between 2020 and 2025, Wiltshire‐cross lambs were produced with , , , and Wiltshire genetics. Measures of productivity were recorded including lamb live weight at birth, mid‐lactation and weaning, and at key management events thereafter. Shedding scores of lambs and hoggets were recorded using a 0–5 scale. The results to date indicate that Wiltshire‐cross lambs growth rates to weaning were comparable to Romney lambs; however, Wiltshire‐cross lambs were the heaviest cohort compared with other Wiltshire crosses ( p < 0.05). Three quarter Wiltshire‐cross lambs showed significantly greater survival than Romney lambs (OR = 1.82, p = 0.0016), although no differences were observed among other crosses ( p > 0.05). Wiltshire‐cross lambs showed increasing shedding scores with increasing Wiltshire proportion. Lamb fleece weight was negatively correlated with lamb shedding score ( r = −0.556, p < 0.0001). These results indicate that a grading up approach is a promising method to transition from a non‐shedding coarse‐wool flock to a fully‐shedding flock. Further evaluation of upgrading over time is needed to determine lifetime productivity and profitability impacts.

Background and Aim: Feed scarcity and the high cost of commercial concentrates remain major constraints to beef production under Indonesian smallholder systems. Agricultural by-products such as cassava and tofu waste offer potential low-cost alternatives, but information on their combined utilization and breed-specific responses remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different cassava waste- and tofu waste-based concentrate formulations on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and economic returns in indigenous Madura and Madrasin (Madura × Limousin) bulls. Materials and Methods: Forty bulls (20 Madura and 20 Madrasin; 2.0–2.5 years old) were used in a 2 × 4 factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design. Four concentrate formulations containing increasing levels of cassava waste (19%-34%) and decreasing levels of tofu waste (20%-5%) were supplied together with native grass. Feed chemical composition was determined, and dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake, digestibility coefficients, liveweight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and income over feed cost (IOFC) were measured. Data were analyzed using mixed-model analysis of variance. Results: Increasing cassava waste inclusion enhanced DMI, with the highest value observed in Madrasin bulls receiving the T4 diet (7.19 kg/day). Dry matter digestibility ranged from 75.06% to 79.77%, whereas organic matter digestibility ranged from 76.77% to 81.21%. Crude protein digestibility remained relatively stable among treatments. Despite differences in intake and digestibility, LWG (0.62-0.83 kg/day) and FCR (7.58-9.64) were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Madrasin bulls consistently exhibited greater nutrient intake, superior fiber utilization, higher average daily gain, and greater economic returns than Madura bulls. IOFC reached a maximum of IDR 44,456/day in Madrasin bulls. Importantly, increasing cassava waste from 19% to 34% did not adversely affect growth performance or profitability, indicating that dietary flexibility could be achieved without compromising productive efficiency. Conclusion: Cassava waste and tofu waste can be effectively combined in concentrate formulations for beef cattle under smallholder conditions. Inclusion of cassava waste up to 34% maintained growth performance, feed efficiency, and profitability while reducing dependence on commercial concentrates. Madrasin bulls exhibited superior productive and economic performance; however, balanced breeding strategies are required to enhance productivity while supporting conservation of the indigenous Madura cattle. These findings provide practical evidence for developing resilient, low-cost, and sustainable feeding systems based on locally available agricultural by-products. Keywords: agricultural by-products, beef cattle, cassava waste, feed formulation, income over feed cost, Madrasin bulls, Madura bulls, smallholder production systems. Background and Aim: Feed scarcity and the high cost of commercial concentrates remain major constraints to beef production under Indonesian smallholder systems. Agricultural by-products such as cassava and tofu waste offer potential low-cost alternatives, but information on their combined utilization and breed-specific responses remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different cassava waste- and tofu waste-based concentrate formulations on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and economic returns in indigenous Madura and Madrasin (Madura × Limousin) bulls. Materials and Methods: Forty bulls (20 Madura and 20 Madrasin; 2.0–2.5 years old) were used in a 2 × 4 factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design. Four concentrate formulations containing increasing levels of cassava waste (19%-34%) and decreasing levels of tofu waste (20%-5%) were supplied together with native grass. Feed chemical composition was determined, and dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient intake, digestibility coefficients, liveweight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and income over feed cost (IOFC) were measured. Data were analyzed using mixed-model analysis of variance. Results: Increasing cassava waste inclusion enhanced DMI, with the highest value observed in Madrasin bulls receiving the T4 diet (7.19 kg/day). Dry matter digestibility ranged from 75.06% to 79.77%, whereas organic matter digestibility ranged from 76.77% to 81.21%. Crude protein digestibility remained relatively stable among treatments. Despite differences in intake and digestibility, LWG (0.62-0.83 kg/day) and FCR (7.58-9.64) were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. Madrasin bulls consistently exhibited greater nutrient intake, superior fiber utilization, higher average daily gain, and greater economic returns than Madura bulls. IOFC reached a maximum of IDR 44,456/day in Madrasin bulls. Importantly, increasing cassava waste from 19% to 34% did not adversely affect growth performance or profitability, indicating that dietary flexibility could be achieved without compromising productive efficiency. Conclusion: Cassava waste and tofu waste can be effectively combined in concentrate formulations for beef cattle under smallholder conditions. Inclusion of cassava waste up to 34% maintained growth performance, feed efficiency, and profitability while reducing dependence on commercial concentrates. Madrasin bulls exhibited superior productive and economic performance; however, balanced breeding strategies are required to enhance productivity while supporting conservation of the indigenous Madura cattle. These findings provide practical evidence for developing resilient, low-cost, and sustainable feeding systems based on locally available agricultural by-products. Keywords: agricultural by-products, beef cattle, cassava waste, feed formulation, income over feed cost, Madrasin bulls, Madura bulls, smallholder...

This study examined how grazing, rumination and idling behaviour patterns varied in a pasture-based dairy system across different seasons, depending on the time of day, and the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). Three visual observation trials (OT) were conducted in spring, summer, and autumn using 36 lactating, pasture-grazing Jersey, Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian x Jersey crossbred dairy cows (12 cows per OT) in different lactations. The study was performed at Dairy Unit 1 of Massey University, New Zealand. A continuous recording method was used to collect grazing (min/h) and rumination (min/h) behaviours data; Idling behaviour was considered when animals were neither grazing nor ruminating. A total of 72 hours of data were collected per OT, with 9 days of visual observation within each OT, and 8 hours (09:00-17:00) of observation per day. Four animals were observed at a time for three consecutive days with a new set of four animals in the next three days as the cycle repeats. A repeated measures mixed (PROC MIXED) model was used to analyse behaviour variations affected by OT, day within OT, THI, and their interactions. Grazing time was significantly affected by the hour of the day and THI, and cows grazed less during periods of high THI. Rumination time was mainly affected by the hour of the day and its interaction with THI, with a shift in rumination towards the low THI hours. Idling time was significantly affected by the day of OT and hour of the day, and their interactions with THI. With a rise in THI, the duration of idling behaviour increased. These behavioural adaptations highlight the importance of behaviour-based management practices to reduce the adverse effects of heat stress on dairy cows to improve their well-being and productivity.

Finishing of dairy‐origin calves in an accelerated ‘New generation beef’ (NGB) beef finishing system for slaughter up to 14 months of age has potential co‐sector benefits. These include production efficiencies and a reduced number of dairy calves slaughtered at a very young age. In the present study, a NGB system and an 18‐month Bull‐Beef system were first modelled separately, both purchasing three‐month‐old Friesian bull calves. Then Mixed systems with varying proportions of both NGB and Bull‐Beef animals were modelled. Production, feed balance and profitability were compared, using cash operating surplus (COS) as a profit indicator. In the NGB scenario, double the number of animals were finished compared with the Bull‐Beef scenario; however, monthly feed demand was less synchronous with predicted pasture supply, requiring more feed transfer via pasture baleage. The COS for the NGB system was −571/ha, with less income and greater costs than the Bull‐Beef system (COS = $2026/ha). Break‐even prices for NGB animals were up to 74% above current prices, but break‐even prices were less in Mixed systems with a greater proportion of Bull‐Beef animals. Without high price premiums, challenges remain for the NGB systems appeal to beef finishers due to their low slaughter weights and sale prices.

This study investigated the relationship of the length of time spent grazing and ruminating with the performance parameters of spring-calved grazing dairy cows (n = 162) over the lactation period for three lactation seasons (n = 54 per season). The cows were Holstein Friesian (HFR), Jersey (JE), and a crossbreed of Holstein Friesian/Jersey (KiwiCross), with 18 cows from each breed. The cows were either in their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th lactation year, and had different breeding worth (BW) index values (103 < BW > 151). The cows were managed through a rotational grazing scheme with once-a-day milking in the morning at 05:00 h. The cows were mainly fed on grazed pastures consisting of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), red clover (Trifolium pretense), and white clover (Trifolium repens), and received additional feeds on various days in the summer and autumn seasons. This study used an automated AfiCollar device to continuously record the grazing time and rumination time (min/h) of the individual cows throughout the lactation period (~270 days) for three consecutive years (Year-1, Year-2, and Year-3). The milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, liveweight, and body condition score data of the individual animals for the study years were provided by the farm. PROC CORR was used in SAS to determine the correlation coefficients (r) between the behaviour and production parameters. A general linear model fitted with breed × lactation year, individual cows, seasons, feed within the season, grazing time, rumination time, as well as their interactions, was assessed to test the differences in milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, liveweight, and body condition score. The type I sum of squares values were used to quantify the magnitude of variance explained by each of the study factors and their interactions in the study variables. Grazing time exhibited positive associations with MY (r = 0.34), MF (r = 0.43), MP (r = 0.22), MS (r = 0.39), LW (r = −0.47), and BCS (r = −0.24) throughout the study years. Rumination time was associated with MY (r = 0.64), MF (r = 0.57), MP (r = 0.52), and MS (r = 0.57) in all study years, while there were no effects of rumination time on LW (r = 0.26) and BCS (r = −0.26). Grazing time explained up to 0.32%, 0.49%, 0.17%, 0.31%, 0.2%, and 0.02%, and rumination time explained up to 0.39%, 6.73%, 4.63%, 6.53%, 0.44%, and 0.17% of the variance in MY, MF, MP, MS, LW, and BCS, respectively.

Nutrient loss in surface runoff from hill country catchments is typically generated from small areas and over short time periods. This study compared nutrient and sediment losses in surface runoff when cattle were fed winter hay supplement on two hill country sub‐catchments (∼0.3 ha) with contrasting soil types (imperfectly‐drained and well‐drained soils). Runoff samples were collected during seven events (June‐August). During this period, two herds of 16 pregnant, mixed aged Angus cows were supplemented with 2 kg DM. cow day ⁻¹ of hay in a defined feeding area within each sub‐catchment. The imperfectly‐drained soil measured 4.8 times the volume of surface runoff compared to the well‐drained soil. As a result, the imperfectly‐drained soil lost 2.5 times the amount of sediment, 6.3 and 5.1 times the amount of total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus respectively and 4.5 times the amount of total nitrogen (TN). Surface runoff losses of nitrate‐N from the well‐drained soil were undetectable over the study period. Whilst overall nutrient losses were low over the short study period (0.22 kg TP ha ⁻¹ and 0.68 kg TN ha ⁻¹ ), the results highlight the potential benefit of strategically placing cattle feed supplements on soils less prone to surface runoff to improve freshwater outcomes.

Approximately 42% of the total calves born in New Zealand’s dairy industry are either euthanized on farms or commercially slaughtered as so-called bobby calves within 2 weeks of age. These practices have perceived ethical issues and are considered a waste of resources because these calves could be grown on and processed for beef. Young beef cattle harvested between 8 and 12 months of age would represent a new class of beef production for New Zealand and would allow for a greater number of calves to be utilized for beef production, reducing bobby calf numbers in New Zealand. However, the acceptance of such a system in competition with existing sheep and beef cattle production systems is unknown. Therefore, the current study employed an agent-based model (ABM) developed for dairy-origin beef cattle production systems to understand price levers that might influence the acceptance of young beef production systems on sheep and beef cattle farms in New Zealand. The agents of the model were the rearer, finisher, and processor. Rearers bought in 4-days old dairy-origin calves and weaned them at approximately 100 kg live weight before selling them to finishers. Finishers managed the young beef cattle until they were between 8 and 12 months of age in contrast to 20 to 30 months for traditional beef cattle. Processing young beef cattle in existing beef production systems without any price premium only led to an additional 5% of cattle being utilized compared to the traditional beef cattle production system in New Zealand. This increased another 2% when both weaner cattle and young beef were sold at a price premium of 10%. In this scenario, Holstein Friesian young bull contributed more than 65% of total young beef cattle. Further premium prices for young beef cattle production systems increased the proportion of young beef cattle (mainly as young bull beef), however, there was a decrease in the total number of dairy-origin cattle processed, for the given feed supply, compared to the 10% premium price. Further studies are required to identify price levers and other alternative young beef production systems to increase the number of young beef cattle as well the total number of dairy-origin beef cattle for beef on sheep and beef cattle farms. Some potential options for investigation are meat quality, retailer and consumer perspectives, and whether dairy farmers may have to pay calf rearers to utilize calves with lower growth potential.

This study estimated genetic parameters and identified candidate genes associated with live weight, and the occurrence of pregnancy in 1327 Romney ewe lambs using genome-wide association studies. Phenotypic traits considered were the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs and live weight at eight months of age. Genetic parameters were estimated, and genomic variation was assessed using 13,500 single-nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNPs). Ewe lamb live weight had medium genomic heritability and was positively genetically correlated with occurrence of pregnancy. This suggests that selection for heavier ewe lambs is possible and would likely improve the occurrence of pregnancy in ewe lambs. No SNPs were associated with the occurrence of pregnancy; however, three candidate genes were associated with ewe lamb live weight. Tenascin C (TNC), TNF superfamily member 8 (TNFSF8) and Collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain (COL28A1) are involved in extracellular matrix organization and regulation of cell fate in the immune system. TNC may be involved in ewe lamb growth, and therefore, could be of interest for selection of ewe lamb replacements. The association between ewe lamb live weight and TNFSF8 and COL28A1 is unclear. Further research is needed using a larger population to determine whether the genes identified can be used for genomic selection of replacement ewe lambs.

This study investigated the variation in daily time spent grazing and rumination in spring-calved grazing dairy cows (n = 162) of three breeds, Holstein-Friesian (HFR), Jersey (JE), and KiwiCross (KC) with different breeding worth index, and in different years of lactation (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th). The cows were managed through a rotational grazing system and milked once a day at 05:00 a.m. The cows grazed mainly pasture and received supplementary feeds depending on the season. Automated AfiCollar device continuously monitored and recorded grazing time and rumination time of the individual cows throughout the lactation period for three study years (Year-1, Year-2, Year-3) with 54 cows per year. A general linear mixed model fitted with breed × lactation year with days in milk (DIM), breeding worth (BW) index value, individual cow, season, and feed, and their interactions was performed in SAS. Variance partitioning was used to quantify the effect size of study factors and their interactions. Individual cows, DIM, and BW (except Year-3) had effects on grazing and rumination times throughout the study years. Grazing time and rumination time were different for different seasons due to varying supplementary feeds. Grazing time varied among breeds in Year-2 and Year-3, and among lactation years only in Year-1. Although rumination time differed among breeds in Year-3, it remained the same within different lactation years. Grazing time and rumination time had a negative relationship with each other, and their regression lines varied for different seasons. The total variance explained by the model in grazing time was 36–39%, mainly contributed by the individual cow (12–20%), season (5–12%), supplementary feed (2–6%), breed (1–5%), and lactation year (1–6%). The total variance explained in rumination was 40–41%, mainly contributed by the individual cow (16–24%), season (2–17%), supplementary feed (1–2%), breed (2–8%), and lactation year (~1%). These findings could contribute to improving the measures for feed resource management during different seasons over the lactation period for a mixed herd comprising JE, HFR and KC breeds in different years of lactation.

Agent-based modeling (ABM) enables an in silico representation of complex systems and captures agent behavior resulting from interaction with other agents and their environment. This study developed an ABM to represent a pasture-based beef cattle finishing systems in New Zealand (NZ) using attributes of the rearer, finisher, and processor, as well as specific attributes of dairy-origin beef cattle. The model was parameterized using values representing 1% of NZ dairy-origin cattle, and 10% of rearers and finishers in NZ. The cattle agent consisted of 32% Holstein-Friesian, 50% Holstein-Friesian–Jersey crossbred, and 8% Jersey, with the remainder being other breeds. Rearers and finishers repetitively and simultaneously interacted to determine the type and number of cattle populating the finishing system. Rearers brought in four-day-old spring-born calves and reared them until 60 calves (representing a full truck load) on average had a live weight of 100 kg before selling them on to finishers. Finishers mainly attained weaners from rearers, or directly from dairy farmers when weaner demand was higher than the supply from rearers. Fast-growing cattle were sent for slaughter before the second winter, and the remainder were sent before their third winter. The model finished a higher number of bulls than heifers and steers, although it was 4% lower than the industry reported value. Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian–Jersey-crossbred cattle dominated the dairy-origin beef finishing system. Jersey cattle account for less than 5% of total processed beef cattle. Further studies to include retailer and consumer perspectives and other decision alternatives for finishing farms would improve the applicability of the model for decision-making processes.