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Lancorp Farming Lecture: 'Clean, green and ethical' animal reproduction: extension to sheep and dairy systems in New Zealand
Martin GB, Durmic Z, Kenyon PR, Vercoe PE
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, pp 140-147, Jun 2009
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, pp 140-147, Jun 2009
Article class: Invited Lecture
Subject Terms: Animal production/wastage, Breed/breeding, Environment, Ethics, Genetics, Nutrition/metabolism, Pharmacology, Reproduction, Reproduction - female, Reproduction - male
Publisher: New Zealand Society of Animal ProductionAbstract
In this paper, we present our approach for 'clean, green and ethical' (CGE) management in small ruminants and dairy cattle, in a context that is relevant to New Zealand livestock industries. We will focus in particular on reproduction and nutrition aspects, with several possibilities for CGE management: 1) control of the timing of reproductive events by using socio-sexual signals (the 'male effect') to induce synchronised ovulation in females; 2) 'focus feeding' - short periods of nutritional supplementation that are precisely timed and specifically designed for each event in the reproductive process; 3) 'nutritional pharmacology' - a term that reflects the possibility of using forages containing 'bioactive' compounds to improve rumen health and efficiency with environmental benefits through the reduction of methane emissions from ruminants; 4) maximizing offspring survival by a combination of management and nutrition; 5) genetic selection for fertility, fecundity and temperament. These tools involve novel ways of manipulating the endogenous control systems and production of animals. Ultimately, the CGE tools can be cost-effective, increase productivity and, at the same time, greatly improve the image of meat and milk industries in society and the marketplace.The whole of the literary matter of the Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production is copyright New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Downloading this article signifies agreement with the terms and conditions of electronic access.
