Search

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of lameness in sheep transported to meat processing plants in New Zealand, and to identify factors associated with the prevalence of lameness. Methods: The survey was conducted over the main meat processing season, running from October 2012 to the end of May 2013, at 10 sheep processing premises (five North Island and five South Island). A sample of 50 sheep selected from approximately six sheep consignments per week from each of the processing plants were scored for lameness, using a scale from Grade 1 (mild) to 3 (severe, non-weight-bearing). For each consignment the breed, age class and mean carcass weight were recorded. A multivariable regression model was fitted to identify the risk factors for prevalence of lame sheep (Grade 1–3) within a consignment. Results: In total, 1,854/78,833 (2.4 (95% CI = 2.2–2.5)%) sheep were diagnosed with lameness. Of the 1,854 lame sheep, lameness severity was Grade 1 in 1,349 (72.8%), Grade 2 in 450 (24.3%) and Grade 3 in 55 (3.0%) sheep. Within consignments ≥1 lame sheep was observed in 600/1,682 (35.7 (95% CI = 33.4–38.0)%) consignments. In Merino lambs and ewes the prevalence of lameness was greater than that of other breeds (p < 0.001), but in rams/wethers, the prevalence of lameness was lower in Merino than other breeds (p < 0.05). In sheep originating from the North Island, increasing mean carcass weight was associated with an increase in the prevalence of lameness (p < 0.001), but in the South Island prevalence was similar for different carcass weights (p = 0.5). In the North Island increasing yarding time was associated with an increase in the lameness prevalence (p < 0.01), but not in the South Island (p = 0.7). Sheep from the South Island generally had a higher prevalence of lameness than the North Island and the prevalence of lameness was lower over summer and autumn relative to the previous spring (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results from this survey provided a measure of the prevalence of lameness in a section of the New Zealand sheep population, namely those animals sent for slaughter; as well as identification of several risk factors associated with lameness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanide paste covered in a flour-based lure is commonly used to control populations of the Australian brushtail possum, New Zealand's foremost vertebrate pest. When possums were given sublethal amounts of a standard paste bait, most ate it initially, but 75% refused it 7 days later, having become bait-shy. Most possums were able to discriminate between the toxic paste and the harmless flour-based lure. A less concentrated formof the paste was less effective in killing possums, in contrast toearlier data on the lethality of cyanide. A lower sublethal dose led to a weaker and less persistent bait shyness. Further refinement is therefore required to obtain the optimum concentration that balances reduced shyness and maximum kill. Surviving possums were offered cyanide paste again after 90 and 300 days and only 13 and 17% respectively succumbed, indicating a longlived shyness, as has previously been demonstrated after sublethal poisoning with 1080 baits. The shyness did not generalize towards 1080 paste or pellet baits, or cholecalciferol gel baits. Sustained control of possums is therefore unlikely to be achieved by repeated use of cyanide paste, but changing to other types of toxic bait should provide more effective long-term control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, agricultural systems are facing unprecedented challenges. The problems are of systemic nature and will require transformational changes and systemic redesign. In this study, we investigated the redesign of dairy systems in New Zealand, due to their large economic, social and environmental influence nationally. We did not set the boundaries of the 'dairy systems' from the outset, letting this definition be part of the design process. We applied 'Reflexive Interactive Design' (RIO), an approach aimed at structurally addressing complex trade-offs and contributing, by process and design, to change towards sustainable development and integral sustainability (i.e. in all relevant dimensions of sustainability). A detailed system analysis was conducted, followed by two rounds of structured design focused on four main stakeholders ('actors') identified as part of the RIO process: the farmers, the citizens, the consumers, and the dairy cows. Our study established design goals related to enhancing the wellbeing of humans and animals, enhancing environmental performance, economics and resilience of dairy systems and reconnecting dairy farming with the rest of society. The process took us beyond the boundaries of a dairy farm and identified the territorial level as the object of design, arriving at a design concept we have called the ' Agro-ecological Park '. The name was chosen to convey an analogy with 'Eco-industrial Parks'. Operating as a multifunctional network, the Park has the goal of delivering multiple benefits for its members, and multiple goods and services for the rest of society. The coordinated network articulates linkages between farmers and many other businesses and people in the territory. The individual dairy farm is redesigned to be a node in that network rather than operating as an isolated entity. That way, much of the weight for the increased complexity and multifunctionality now demanded of farming can be carried by the network instead of the individual farmer. These preliminary design ideas, and the reasoning behind them, should encourage new perspectives on the complex problems facing NZ dairy farming, and agriculture globally, in the upcoming decades. • We explored redesigning of dairying in New Zealand towards integral sustainability. • We used 'Reflexive Interactive Design' (RIO), a structured design approach. • The process led to set the boundaries of our design object at the territory level. • We developed a design concept that we have called the ' Agro-ecological Park '. • A coordinated network of farmers, many other businesses and actors in the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality of bobby calves across the whole dairy supply chain in New Zealand. A case-control study was carried out in the 2016 spring calving season. A total of 194 bobby calves, comprising 38 cases (calves that died or were condemned for health or welfare reasons before the point of slaughter) and 156 controls (calves deemed acceptable and presented for slaughter) were included in the study. Case and control calves were selected by veterinarians located at 29 processing premises across New Zealand. Information regarding management of selected calves on-farm, during transport and at the processor was obtained retrospectively via questionnaires administered to supplying farmers, transport operators and processing premises personnel. Associations between management variables and calf mortality (death or condemnation) were examined using multivariable logistic regression models. Factors associated with an increased risk of calf mortality included time in the farm of origin's calving season, duration of travel from farm to the processor and processing slaughter schedule (same day or next day). Every additional week into the farm's calving season increased the odds of mortality by a factor of 1.2 (95%CI 1.06, 1.35). Similarly, each additional hour of travel time increased the odds of mortality by a factor of 1.45 (95% CI 1.18, 1.76). Risk of mortality was significantly greater for calves processed at premises with a next day slaughter schedule than those processed at premises with a same day slaughter schedule (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.51, 9.67). However, when the data set was limited to those cases that died or were condemned in the yards (i.e. excluding calves that were dead or condemned on arrival) the effect of same day slaughter was not significant. In order to reduce bobby calf mortality and morbidity, transport duration should be kept as short as possible and a same day slaughter schedule applied. While these factors can be regulated, New Zealand's pastoral dairy system means that calves will inevitably be transported for slaughter across several months each spring. Although farm management factors did not apparently influence the risk of mortality in this study, the effect of time in farm's calving season suggests there may be farm-management related factors that change over the season. This requires further investigation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Existing trauma registries in Australia and New Zealand play an important role in monitoring the management of injured patients. Over the past decade, such monitoring has been translated into changes in clinical processes and practices. Monitoring and changes have been ad hoc, as there are currently no Australasian benchmarks for "optimal" injury management. A binational trauma registry is urgently needed to benchmark injury management to improve outcomes for injured patients.

New Zealand has a range of carnivorous and herbivorous mammals that were originally introduced for recreational, financial, aesthetic and biocontrol reasons, but which now pose significant threats to conservation and animal health values. Research is undertaken to develop new tools and strategies to manage these pests. Captive trials that are carried out include those to determine the toxicity of poisons, the efficacy of fertility control agents, and welfare impacts of poisons and traps. Field trials are undertaken to test the efficacy of poisons and traps, and large-scale management trials carried out to optimise control strategies. Although this research is aimed at managing animals, including killing them, we believe that there are benefits to both individual animals and animal populations that far exceed any cost of harm to individuals that are managed (often killed). We suggest that there are three levels of beneficiaries: the individuals of the pest species that are killed, the individuals in the surviving population, and the individuals and populations of other species. We provide examples of how wild animals can benefit from vertebrate pesticide and trap research.

Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica is a potential vector being investigated for spreading a biological control agent among introduced brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. As previous studies have shown that possums are unlikely to contract leptospirosis through a contaminated environment alone, the objective was to determine whether L. interrogans serovar balcanica could be transmitted between sexually mature, socially housed possums. Possums were infected experimentally with L. interrogans serovar balcanica and housed in pairs or groups with uninfected possums for either 70 or 140 days, during the breeding or non-breeding seasons. No transmission occurred between any infected and uninfected possums during the non-breeding season. However, transmission occurred between females that had been socially housed in pairs or groups in the breeding season. Mixed sex transmission also occurred in pairs and groups, both from males to females and from females to males. Mixed sex transmission usually occurred rapidly (< 44 days) and was not associated with the production of offspring. No transmission occurred between males during the breeding or the non-breeding seasons. Transmission probably occurs as a result of affiliative or sexual behaviour, but is unlikely to occur through fighting. The social transmission pathways determined in this study suggest that L. interrogans serovar balcanica may have the transmission attributes desired in a vector for biological control.

In New Zealand, the biological control of introduced brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) may be the only affordable option for achieving a significant long term reduction in pest numbers on a national scale. Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica is among the potential biocontrol agents and vectors currently being investigated for this purpose. As the transmission pathways of L. interrogans serovar balcanica between possums are poorly understood, the objective of the study was to determine whether infection could result from exposure to contaminated environments. Sixteen individually housed, uninfected possums, in three groups, were regularly exposed over a period of 32 days to contaminated cages or grass enclosures of 16 other experimentally infected possums all shedding leptospires in their urine. None of the 16 challenged possums developed serological evidence of L. interrogans serovar balcancia infection. These results suggest that this organism is unlikely to be transmitted environmentally, supporting previous circumstantial evidence that social contact may be required for transmission of L. interrogans serovar balcanica between possums.