Utilising bioeconomic modelling to examine the impact of lambing percentages and pre-weaning lamb growth rates on farm profitability : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Since 1980, the production and sale of sheep for meat has overtaken wool as the primary profit driver of Class 4 sheep enterprises in the Western North Island of New Zealand. While the sale of cull ewes and rams contributes to sheep enterprise production it’s the production of lamb that contributes the greatest amount. Lambs born on farm can either be grown to heavier liveweights and sent direct to the works (termed prime for slaughter) or sold as store lambs for others to finish. Therefore, the production of lamb as a profit driver is dependent on the number of lambs along with the individual liveweight of each lamb. There is, however, no recent information that directly quantifies and compares the impacts of either increased lamb numbers, increased lamb liveweights, or a combination of both which maximises farmer profit. Bio-economic modelling is a relatively recently adapted tool used in agricultural production systems such as New Zealand sheep enterprises. A bio-economic systems dynamics model has recently been created to compare changes in various sheep enterprises in New Zealand, with the model output production values found to be close to realised values. This bio-economic systems-dynamic model was identified as the most suitable model to use to complete this research. The specific objectives of this research were to update the current STELLA bio-economic system-dynamic model with more recent industry statistics before running eight scenarios with differing lambing percentage and pre-weaning growth rates to examine the impact on operating profitability. The model has six key major modules within the sheep enterprise: the purebred flock, feed supply, feed demand, feed balance, wool production, and economics. These major modules all had submodules. Model inputs were driven by recently published industry standards, ensuring model outputs would replicate realised values as closely as possible. Scenario 1 uses New Zealand average values for lambing percentage (133.5%) and lamb weaning weight. Scenarios 2, 3 and 4 use average lamb weaning weights but had lambing percentages of 140%, 150% and 160% respectively. Scenarios 5, 6 & 7 used average lambing percentage (133.5%) but has 10%, 20% & 30% greater pre-weaning lamb growth rates respectively. Scenario 8 had a lambing percentage of 140% and 10% increased pre-weaning lamb growth rates. Increasing lambing percentage from 133.5% in scenario 1 to 160% in scenario 4 increased the proportion of lambs sold store due to a greater proportion of lambs being born as multiples. This scenario increased farm cash operating surplus from ‡2 91/ha to ‡3 68/ha. Gestational energy demand limited flock size, with the number of ewes decreasing from scenario 1 to 4. Increasing pre-weaning lamb growth rates to 30% (scenario 7) above average (scenario 1) while leaving lambing percentage as average also decreased flock size but increased the farm COS from ‡2 91/ha to ‡4 44/ha. Lactational demand to meet the increased lamb growth was the factor limiting flock size. In the scenario with 140% lambing and a 10% increase in pre-weaning lamb growth rates (scenario 8) farm COS increased to ‡3 65/ha, ‡7 4/ha above scenario 1. Overall, increasing pre-weaning lamb growth was more profitable than increasing lambing percentage. Therefore the results of this research indicates that if a farmer has a lambing percentage of 140% or above, it is recommended emphasis should be placed on improving pre-weaning lamb growth rates compared to lambing percentage. There are several further considerations such as feed supply and lamb numbers, which must be considered before using these results. With the model relying solely on pasture for feed, any circumstances that leads to reduced feed supply may reduce the viability of these results

The Impacts of English on Business Training: Financial Sector Employees’ Perceptions in Jakarta, Indonesia

English is widely used in many areas of life, including business. This condition of using English as a lingua franca also exists in Indonesia. Employees must be prepared to embrace the English language while doing business with overseas companies or employing expats. As a result, employees may find themselves in need of English language training. English employee training is becoming more popular, and more firms are beginning to give it to their employees. Despite its growing popularity, few studies have examined the outcomes and effectiveness of such staff training. This case study investigates employees’ perspectives on English for business training to deepen studies on this subject, particularly in the Indonesian context. This qualitative study used one-on-one interviews with 30 participants from three English for Business training programs to collect data. The findings revealed that English for Business training had a favorable impact on employees and their work performance. This research could help businesses give and facilitate more English training to help their staff grow

Nearshore movement ecology of a medium-bodied shark, the creek whaler Carcharhinus fitzroyensis

Background: The movement and habitat use patterns of medium-bodied nearshore sharks are poorly understood. However, these species face some of the highest levels of exposure to anthropogenic development. The habitat and space use strategies species exhibit affect their role within communities and how they respond to environmental change. The present study used passive acoustic telemetry to evaluate the residency, space use, and habitat use patterns of the creek whaler Carcharhinus fitzroyensis in a nearshore embayment in Queensland, Australia. Results: Individuals were monitored for approximately 18 months. Half of the monitored population were highly resident to the bay. In contrast, several individuals spent less than 2 weeks in the bay, suggesting that broader movements may occur in a portion of the population. Size had no effect on residency. Activity space size varied between months and time of day but was also not affected by animal size. All C. fitzroyensis spent the majority of time in seagrass habitat (70%) and deep water (>5 m) mud substrate (20%). Shallow mudflat, sandy inshore, and reef habitats were rarely used (7%). Although the sample size of immature individuals was relatively small, results indicated immature and mature C. fitzroyensis shared space and habitats. Conclusions: Overall, C. fitzroyensis used a combination of nearshore movement patterns typically exhibited by small- and large-bodied species. The movement patterns exhibited by C. fitzroyensis suggest that this species has a moderately high degree of seagrass habitat specialisation. Seagrass habitat is typically highly productive and may be an important foraging habitat for this species. Given the consistent use of seagrass habitat, C. fitzroyensis are likely vulnerable to population decline as a result of seagrass habitat loss. Future research should continue to investigate the unique movements of medium-bodied sharks

Supporting Teachers to Work with Children with Exceptionalities

The current study had two purposes: to explore further revisions to the Three-Part Schedule D Additional Qualification (AQ) courses in special education and to determine if a virtual knowledge network would be a viable and welcome tool in building teacher capacity for classroom inclusion of students with exceptionalities. Educational stakeholders convened at the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for a two-day consultation meeting. A consensus-building workshop was used on the first day to discuss further revisions to the revised AQ course guidelines and to specifically identify gaps in teacher knowledge and skills. An open space consultation (Owen, 1997) was used on the second day to discuss the possibility of a provincial virtual knowledge network that would support revised Special Education AQ course guidelines and build capacity for teachers working with children with exceptionalities. Keywords: Ontario, teacher education, inclusive education, special education, additional qualifications

Co-morbidity of malnutrition with falciparum malaria parasitaemia among children under the aged 6–59 months in Somalia: a geostatistical analysis

Background Malnutrition and malaria are both significant causes of morbidity and mortality in African children. However, the extent of their spatial comorbidity remains unexplored and an understanding of their spatial correlation structure would inform improvement of integrated interventions. We aimed to determine the spatial correlation between both wasting and low mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and falciparum malaria among Somalian children aged 6–59 months. Methods Data were from 49 227 children living in 888 villages between 2007 to 2010. We developed a Bayesian geostatistical shared component model in order to determine the common spatial distributions of wasting and falciparum malaria; and low-MUAC and falciparum malaria at 1 × 1 km spatial resolution. Results The empirical correlations with malaria were 0.16 and 0.23 for wasting and low-MUAC respectively. Shared spatial residual effects were statistically significant for both wasting and low-MUAC. The posterior spatial relative risk was highest for low-MUAC and malaria (range: 0.19 to 5.40) and relatively lower between wasting and malaria (range: 0.11 to 3.55). Hotspots for both wasting and low-MUAC with malaria occurred in the South Central region in Somalia. Conclusions The findings demonstrate a relationship between nutritional status and falciparum malaria parasitaemia, and support the use of the relatively simpler MUAC measurement in surveys. Shared spatial distribution and distinct hotspots present opportunities for targeted seasonal chemoprophylaxis and other forms of malaria prevention integrated within nutrition programmes

Expression of an Activated Integrin Promotes Long-Distance Sensory Axon Regeneration in the Spinal Cord.

UNLABELLED: After CNS injury, axon regeneration is blocked by an inhibitory environment consisting of the highly upregulated tenascin-C and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Tenascin-C promotes growth of axons if they express a tenascin-binding integrin, particularly α9β1. Additionally, integrins can be inactivated by CSPGs, and this inhibition can be overcome by the presence of a β1-binding integrin activator, kindlin-1. We examined the synergistic effect of α9 integrin and kindlin-1 on sensory axon regeneration in adult rat spinal cord after dorsal root crush and adeno-associated virus transgene expression in dorsal root ganglia. After 12 weeks, axons from C6-C7 dorsal root ganglia regenerated through the tenascin-C-rich dorsal root entry zone into the dorsal column up to C1 level and above (>25 mm axon length) through a normal pathway. Animals also showed anatomical and electrophysiological evidence of reconnection to the dorsal horn and behavioral recovery in mechanical pressure, thermal pain, and ladder-walking tasks. Expression of α9 integrin or kindlin-1 alone promoted much less regeneration and recovery. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The study demonstrates that long-distance sensory axon regeneration over a normal pathway and with sensory and sensory-motor recovery can be achieved. This was achieved by expressing an integrin that recognizes tenascin-C, one of the components of glial scar tissue, and an integrin activator. This enabled extensive long-distance (>25 mm) regeneration of both myelinated and unmyelinated sensory axons with topographically correct connections in the spinal cord. The extent of growth and recovery we have seen would probably be clinically significant. Restoration of sensation to hands, perineum, and genitalia would be a significant improvement for a spinal cord-injured patient