Integration of herb pastures into farming systems in New Zealand

The perennial herb pasture species chicory (Cichorium intybus) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata) are now widely in temperate pasture regions around the world. When combined with pasture legumes red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) both herb species enable livestock growth rates of sheep and bulls from late spring to autumn that are superior to those for livestock on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover pasture. This paper provides data for a variety of livestock systems based on herb pastures plus some examples of how farmers are using these pastures

Breeding Ewe Lambs: An Australasian Perspective

A number of potential advantages have been identified for breeding ewe lambs at 7 to 9 months of age, including increased lifetime productivity and profitability. However, breeding at this young age in extensive pastoral systems, such as in Australasia, can be associated with a number of disadvantages resulting in uptake of this management procedure being relatively low. This review highlights the known differences between ewe lamb and mature ewe reproductive performance, thus differing in their management. The review then summaries the scientific literature of factors that affect ewe lamb reproductive success, with a focus on recent studies conducted under extensive pasture-based conditions in Australasia. In particular, this review outlines the importance of ewe lamb live weight and body condition score on their productivity. The potential long-term consequences of breeding a ewe lamb at a young age in terms of her future success and that of her offspring to weaning are briefly outlined. In addition, the potential impacts of selecting progeny born to ewe lambs as future replacement ewes are discussed. Throughout this review, optimal management guidelines from prior to breeding the ewe lambs until rebreeding at 2 years of age are provided. Lastly, areas requiring future research are identified and discussed

How Lazy Are Pet Cats Really? Using Machine Learning and Accelerometry to Get a Glimpse into the Behaviour of Privately Owned Cats in Different Households

Surprisingly little is known about how the home environment influences the behaviour of pet cats. This study aimed to determine how factors in the home environment (e.g., with or without outdoor access, urban vs. rural, presence of a child) and the season influences the daily behaviour of cats. Using accelerometer data and a validated machine learning model, behaviours including being active, eating, grooming, littering, lying, scratching, sitting, and standing were quantified for 28 pet cats. Generalized estimating equation models were used to determine the effects of different environmental conditions. Increasing cat age was negatively correlated with time spent active (p n = 18) were less active in winter than in summer (p n = 10) cats. Cats living in rural areas (n = 7) spent more time eating than cats in urban areas (n = 21; p n = 12) spent more time lying but less time sitting than cats living in multi-cat households (n = 16; p n = 20) spent more time standing in winter (p n = 8; p < 0.05). This study clearly shows that the home environment has a major impact on cat behaviour

Effects of Increased Growth Rates Prior to the First Breeding as Ewe Lambs and Pregnancy Rank on Mammary Glands of Two-Year-Old Ewes

This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months of age on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe mammary structures and the growth of their progeny. Ewe live weight and mammary ultrasound measures were recorded at 119 days of pregnancy, 29 days of lactation (L29), and weaning of the progeny (L79) in 64 two-year-old ewes selected from two treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed prior to their first breeding at seven months of age, achieving an average live weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. The control group (n = 32) weighed an average of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg at breeding. Lambs (n = 74) were weighed at birth, L29 and L79. Udder ultrasound measures did not differ (p &gt; 0.10) between treatments, indicating no carry-over effects of treatments on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes. The association between ultrasound measures and lamb growth seemed to differ depending on lamb birth rank. More research is needed to further investigate these associations and determine whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewes whose progeny would have greater growth rates based on birth rank

Associations among Mammary Ultrasound Measurements, Milk Yield of Non-Dairy Ewe Lambs and the Growth of Their Single Lambs

Mammary cistern size was positively correlated with milk yield of mature dairy ewes, but the association in ewe lambs is unknown. This experiment aimed to examine the associations between mammary ultrasound measurements and the milk yield of ewe lambs at one year of age and to determine the accuracy of using maternal mammary ultrasound to predict single lamb growth rates. Single-bearing ewe lambs (n = 45) were randomly selected and 30 were milked once at weeks three (W3), five (W5), and seven (W7) of lactation. Mammary ultrasound scans were performed at day 110 of pregnancy, W3, W5, W7, and weaning (L69). Single lambs (n = 30) were weighed at birth and at each mammary scanning event. Udder measurements explained 26.8%, 21.4%, and 38.4% of the variation in milk yield at W3, W5 and W7, respectively, and 63.5% and 36.4% of the variation in single lamb growth to W3 and to L69. This ultrasound technique was more accurate in predicting single lamb growth to W3 than milk yield and may enable the identification of pregnant ewe lambs whose progeny would have greater growth rates. More research is needed to identify accurate indicators of superior milk yield and determine whether ultrasound could be used to select ewe lambs