Science Selection Test

Define the term “One Health”.

One Health is a unified approach to health that considers humans, animals, and the environment, recognizing the interconnectedness of their health.

List the three related elements of “One Health”.

The One Health Triad: Human health, Animal health, and Environmental health.

Make a list of factors that affect the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.

• Changes in land use practices.

  • Deforestation.

  • Building Dams.

• Environmental Change

  • Including Climate Change.

    • Changes in Precipitation and Temperature will effect which pathogen thrive.

• Population Density.

• Hygiene Practices.

• Means of animal/human transport.

• Contamination of food and waterways.

• Antibiotic resistance.

• Medical practices

  • Including antibiotics usage.

  • People living longer = Larger population of elderly.

  • Vaccinations effect spread.

• Overall population health.

  • Functioning of immune system.

What is a zoonotic disease?

A disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

List 5 zoonotic diseases that are on New Zealand’s List of Notifiable Infectious Diseases.

• Rabies

• Plague (Yersinia pestis)

• Campylobacteriosis

• Salmonella

• Leptospirosis

• Bovine Tuberculosis.

• Influenza

What is New Zealand’s leading food borne illness and what are the common routes of infection?

Campylobacteriosis:

Primarily contracted through consuming contaminated meat (especially undercooked chicken) or unpasteurized milk.

• In New Zealand, drinking water contaminated with fecal matter or direct contact with domestic or farm animals are also common modes of transmission due to its farming environment.

Define and be able to discuss three examples of zoonotic disease.

• Campylobacteriosis

• Salmonella

• Leptospirosis

1. Campylobacteriosis

Most frequently notified disease in New Zealand.

• Cause: Campylobacter bacteria (especially C. jejuni)

• Transmission: Consuming undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, contaminated drinking water, or contact with infected animals (especially livestock and pets)

• Symptoms: Diarrhea (often bloody), fever, abdominal cramps, nausea.

  • Often the animals have asymptomatic carriage (don’t show symptoms.

• Prevention: Proper food handling, cooking meat thoroughly, handwashing after contact with animals.

  • Government Public health response included regulation of chicken contamination.

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2. Salmonella

Second, to campylobacteriosis, most common bacterial cause of foodborne illness in New Zealand.

• Cause: Salmonella bacteria

  • Lives in the gut of animals.

• Transmission: Contaminated food (eggs, poultry, raw produce), or water, animal contact and exposure to the farm environment.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting.

  • Many animals and birds are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella spp.

• Prevention: Safe food preparation, hygiene after handling animals or raw foods

  • The highest rate of disease is reported in young children.

    • They are more susceptible and don’t have good hygiene practices.

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3. Leptospirosis

Most common occupationally acquired infection in New Zealand.

• Cause: Leptospira bacteria

• Transmission: Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with urine from infected animals (commonly rodents)

• Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, kidney or liver failure in severe cases

• Prevention: Avoid swimming in contaminated water, control rodent populations, use protective gear in high-risk jobs.

  • Controlled primarily through animal vaccines.

What proportion of human infectious diseases originate in animals?

75% of all human diseases are zoonotic in origin.

• The reason the one health triad is so important.

Define biosecurity.

The protection of an environment against biological threats.

Who is responsible for managing biosecurity in New Zealand?

• MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries):

  • Oversees Biosecurity New Zealand (a branch of MPI).

• The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages the control of introduced species.

• We as the New Zealand Public.

  • Reporting suspected pests and diseases to MPI.

Discuss the importance of biosecurity to New Zealand.

New Zealand relies on biosecurity to prevent detrimental pests and diseases, protect our environment and wild life, protect and maintain our advantage in the agriculture/ horticulture sector, and thus protect its economy as this sector account for a large percentage of our exports.

Describe an example of a NZ biosecurity risk.

• Foot and Mouth Disease:

  • An acute highly contagious infectious virus, that infects cloven-hooved animals.

    • There is no cure, infected animals must be put down.

  • Belton 2004 – predicted cost to NZ if there was an outbreak $10 billion.(large economic risk)

Describe three examples of a NZ biosecurity failure.

Varroa Mite an invasive pest affecting honey bees in New Zealand, leading to significant declines in bee populations and impacting pollination and agriculture.

• V. destructor established in NZ in 2000

  • Varroa is suspected to account for 19.5 per cent of colony losses.

  • Estimated cost of Varroa to the NZ apiculture industry at between $11.5 to 25.7 million per year.

Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterial infection affecting cattle, causing various health issues (such as udder infections and abortions) and leading to significant economic losses.

• First detected in New Zealand in 2017 in a South Canterbury dairy herd.

• MPI Biosecurity New Zealand – response and control

  • 2019 M. bovis National Plan to eradicate the disease.(funded by DairyNZ and government.)

Fruit fly One of the biggest threats to NZ horticulture; fruit and vegetable crops. This pest can lead to substantial economic losses due to its impact on production and export capabilities.

• Particularly type detected five times in the upper North Island in the past decade.

• Biosecurity response triggered in Auckland February 2019 due to discovery of fruit fly.

  • $18 million biosecurity response finished February 2020.

  • NZ once again declared fruit fly free.

List and briefly describe the purpose of four (4) on-farm biosecurity measures.

1. Sanitation Protocols: Implementing cleaning procedures for equipment and vehicles to reduce pathogen spread.

   • Washing your hands, boots, workwear

2. Fencing: Creating barriers to control animal movement and prevent disease entry.

3. Biosecurity Signage: Displaying signs to inform visitors and staff about biosecurity protocols and farm access restrictions.

4. Stand Down Periods: Designating specific waiting periods before entering another farm property to limit cross-contamination between properties.

   • Stringent measures for intensive livestock systems due to high animal population density (diseases travel faster).

5. Careful consideration of new stock health.

   • Disease status of new stock should be assessed to ensure they are healthy and free from pathogens.

6. Ensuring animal pests are controlled.

   • Keep areas around buildings free from clutter and long grass.

   • Store feed securely.

   • Trapping and baiting.

Define the term ‘food security’.

• Food Security:

  • Four key components:

    Insuring access to…

    • Quantity: Sufficient quantities of food.

    • Availability: Reliable access to food.

      Affordability: Available food is affordable.

    • Nutritiousness: Available food is nutritious.

Discuss what is meant by the term ‘water security’?

• Water security refers to the availability of an adequate quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods, and production, along with the protection of water-related ecosystems.

What the most common threat to water security?

• Water scarcity.

  • Things that contribute to water scarcity: low rainfall, climate change, high population densities and overallocation of water source’s.

Discuss the impact population growth over the next 25 years, will have on food production.

Food production needs to increase by 50% over the next 25 years to meet the demands of the projected population (9.9 billion people in 2025).

• This will require sustainable farming practices, technological advancements, and efficient resource management to ensure sufficient food supplies while minimizing environmental impacts.

Agriculture accounts for what percentage of global freshwater withdrawals?

Agriculture accounts for 60-70% of annual freshwater withdrawals.

• Varies depending on country.

• Water required for irrigation, livestock and aquaculture.

It is a large user of water.

What global region is the largest meat producer?

Asia.

Globally, what type of meat is the most popular/most consumed?

Pork.

What percentage of global habitable land is used for agriculture?

50% of habitable land is used for agriculture (approx. 51 million km²).

• 77% of agricultural land is utilized for livestock (meat and dairy- including land required to grow livestock feed).

• 23% for crops.

What are the top two contributors to New Zealand’s primary industries export revenue?

• Major export products include:

  • Dairy: 44% of total exports

  • Meat and Wool: 21%

Describe trends in population growth from 1990 to 2025.

• The average global population growth rate is slowing

  • Peaked at over 2% in the late 1960s and since then the rate has been falling.

• Currently the average global growth rate is: ~1%.

• 1900 population: <2 billion (about ¼ of the current in 1930) ; 2023 ~8 billion people Expected by 2050: 9.9 billion.

• Food production must increase by 50% to meet future demands.

  • To feed the projected 9.9 billion people.

When was the united nations general assembly? and when do they want to achieve their sustainable development goals by?

• 17 interlinked goals

• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

• Intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

How much has global meat production increased to, and by how many times compared to fifty years ago?

• Global meat production has increased to over 340 million tonnes.

  • This is four times the quantity of meat produced fifty years ago.

How much milk is produced annually, and how does this compare to fifty years ago?

• Milk production is approximately 800 million tonnes annually.

  • This is more than double the amount produced fifty years ago.

What is the agricultural export revenue for New Zealand, and how many people does the industry employ?

• Total agricultural export revenue reached NZ$ 54.4 billion.

• Employs 358,000 individuals (12.4% of workforce).

By what percentage is global water demand projected to increase by 2050?

Global water demand (in terms of freshwater withdrawals) is projected to increase by 55% by 2050.

What percentage of the world's population lacks food security, and how many people does this represent?

- 17.2% (1.2 billion) of the worlds population lack food security

Auto vs heterotrophs

Autotroph

- An organism that produces it's own energy (typically by photosynthesis) rather than obtaining it from others (eg. via consumtion)

- Primary producer

- Plants & algae

Heterotroph

- Organism that derives it's energy from other organisms

- Primary, secondary/tertiary consumer

- Animals & fungi

- Includes decomposes, which eat dead organic matter (important in nutrient cycling)

- Amount of heterotrophs/consumers depends on amount of autotrophs

What are the first & second law of thermodynamics; and the law of conservation of mass?

First law

- The energy of the universe is constant

- Energy can only be changed from one form to another but can't be increased/decreased

- This means all energy in ecosystems just cycles round

- The energy flow of an biosphere/world wide ecosystem can't increase or decrease, just change states

Second law

- Every energy transfer or transformation increases the entropy of the universe

- Applies to chemical cycling and energy flow in

- Becuase heat is a major product of living organisms there is an increase in entropy

Conservation of mass

- Mass cannot be created or destroyed

- For example if a lion eats a deer; it is not destroying it's mass only breaking it down into smaller pieces

Ecosystems are open systems that absorb energy and mass and release heat and waste products

^ these laws apply to them

Trophic levels

Primary producers (plants/algae)

Primary consumers (herbivores)

Secondary consumers

Tertiary consumers

Quaternary consumers

- Energy leaks out at every trohpic level

- Only 10% of energy at each level is passed up (eg 10% of energy from primary producers is passed up to primary consumers)

- Decompisition links all trophic levels

- Detritivores/decomposers break down non-living organic matter (cycles nutrients/important to ecosystem)

^ prokaryotes and fungi

- A food web is the interconnected trophic levels

What is primary productors role in ecosystems

- They hold up the WHOLE ecosystem

- In terrisitral ecosystems largest amount of of biomass

- The extent of photosynthetic production sets the spending limit for an ecosystem's energy budget

Global net primary production (GPP) vs net primary production (NPP)

GPP

- Total primary production of an ecosystem

- Calculated from the conversion of energy from light (or chemicals) to the chemical energy of organic molecules per unit time

NPP

- Calculated from GPP-energy used by autotrophs for respiration

- Only NPP is available to consumers (GPP is not)

What are the limiting factors of net productivity?

Light

- Regions near the equator are exposed to a lot of light=more photosynthesis=more productive (bc bigger amount of primary producers)

- Many marine ecosystems are aphotic and therefore are not very productive

Nutrients

- Soil nutrients can limit primary prodution in terristrial ecosystems

- Aphotic marine ecosystem may have fewer nutrients=less productive

Water

- Water is a limiting factor of photosynthesis

- Therefore more water=more photosynthesis=more net production

- Tropical rainforests are super productive becuase they have high light lvls (near the equator) and lots of rainfall

What is the typically value for energy transfer between trophic levels?

10%

- 10% of energy from primary producers goes to primary consumers

- 10% of that energy goes to secondary consumers

etc.

- This means that there are is much fewer organisms (predators) at the top of food chain

- Most of the biomass of an ecosystem comes from primary producers (think about how much trees there are compeared to predators)

What type of livestock are typically farmed on New Zealand hill country farmland?

Sheep and Beef.

What type of livestock are typically farmed on New Zealand flat farmland?

Dairy cattle.

List the two most common breeds of beef cattle farmed in New Zealand.

Angus and Hereford.

List the two most common breeds of sheep farmed in New Zealand.

Merino(Fine Wool) and Romney(Meat and Coarse Wool).

List the three most common breeds of dairy cattle farmed in New Zealand.

Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and Kiwi Cross (Cross between Holstein-Friesian and Jersey)

New Zealand grazing pasture is dominated by which two plant species?

Perennial ryegrass and white clover.

• Ryegrass 80%: white clover 20%

Describe the typical annual pattern of pasture growth in New Zealand. (be able to draw a graph that represents the typical annual pattern of pasture growth in New Zealand)

• Spring: has a high growth rate

• Summer: Pasture growth slows down

  • Less rain fall- Dries out the grass-brown looking grass(Not great quantity but also bad nutrition quality due to increased fiber levels due to seed heads forming).

• Autumn: In some areas of New Zealand there is often a little bit of growth due to increased rain.

• Winter: Pasture Growth tapers off and reaches its lowest point during the winter months.

  • Not because it is is dry but because it is cold.

  • Thus the grass will be nice and green(good nutrition quality), there will just be very little growth(bad quantity).

When during the year does New Zealand typically experience pasture surplus?

Spring.

Discuss how a pasture surplus could be managed. Why is it necessary to control/manage a pasture surplus?

• Conserving surplus grass from the spring to be used during the deficit summer/winter seasons.

  • Hay making.

• Keep grass in “vegetative window” to maximize quality and maintain growth.

• During surplus

  • Speeding up the rotation.

  • Harvest and make grass silage or hay.

  • Top/Mow

    • Put animals into eat cut grass, or to create hay silage

  • Take paddocks “out” and plant something (ie, a crop to use in summer/winter, or for grass renewal, etc…)

  • Get more/other stock.

When during the year does New Zealand typically experience pasture deficit?

Winter and Summer.

List and discuss options to overcome periods of pasture deficit.

• Conserving surplus grass from the spring to be used during the deficit summer/winter seasons.

  • Hay making.

• Growing crops to be fermented and used as feed during these seasons.

  • E.g. Maze silage-fermented corn.

• Alternatives to grass that grow well in varying seasons.

  • Clover on sheep farms grows well in summer.

  • Chicory is used as summer crop on the Massey dairy farm.

• Keep grass in “vegetative window” to maximize quality and maintain growth.

• During Periods of Deficit (Summer)

  • Alternate forages

    • Brassicas (bulb/leaf turnips, forage rape), herbs (plantain and chicory), red clover, lucerne

  • Fertilize

    • Stimulates pasture growth

      • Need to consider timing and can pair irrigation to maximize effects).

  • Irrigation

    • Encourages grass growth as in summer it is dry.

  • Graze strategically/decrease stock units/allow animals to lose weight.

  • Supplementary feeds.

    • Silage, hay…

    • Also allows pasture time to accumulate.

  • For dairy, if summer deficit serious – cows may switch to once-a-day milking or be dried off early.

    • reducing energy requirements and thus amount of food you need to feed them.

• During Deficit(winter)

  • Alternate forages

    • Brassicas (swedes, forage kale), fodder beet, green oats.

    • Also allows pasture time to accumulate.

  • Graze strategically

    • Reducing movement with temporary fences to avoid animals doing any damage to other sections(by trampling ect); until they have eaten all the grass in their section.

  • Decrease stock units

  • Supplementary feeds – silage, hay, concentrates…

List two common alternate forage types that can be used to fill a summer pasture deficit.

• Brassicas (bulb/leaf turnips, forage rape)

• Herbs (plantain and chicory)

• Red clover

• Lucerne

List two common alternate forage types that can be used to fill a winter pasture deficit.

• Brassicas (swedes, forage kale)

• Fodder beet

• Green oats.

In New Zealand pasture-based livestock production systems, what activity typically occurs in spring and why?

Calving/Lambing

• Lactation is very energy demanding: Animals are often born during the high feed availability of spring for this reason.

What units is pasture growth typically measured in?

Kilograms of dry matter per hectare per day (kg DM/ha/day).

What is pasture dry matter a measurement of?

Indicates the weight of the dry matter once moisture(water) has been removed; Indicates the amount of nutrients available in pasture.

• If pasture has high lvl of DM it is more nutritous as it contains compounds needed for growth:

  • Carbohydrate

  • Protein

  • Fat

  • Vitamins

  • Minerals

What two environmental factors are the primary drivers of pasture growth?

Temperature and Rainfall

In New Zealand, the rate of grass growth is typically lowest in which season?

The grass growth rates are typically lowest in winter.

• This is because in winter the cold drastically reduces grass growth.

In New Zealand, the rate of grass growth is typically highest in which season?

The grass growth rates are typically highest in spring,

• Due to sufficient rainfall , increasing temperatures and lengthening sunlight hours.

List the typical pre- and post-grazing pasture mass targets for sheep.

Generalized pre-grazing target is 1,100-1,500 kg DM/ha, and post-grazing target is 800-1,000 kg DM/ha.

List the typical pre- and post-grazing pasture mass targets for dairy cattle.

Generalized pre-grazing target is 1,900-2,100 kg DM/ha, and post-grazing target is 1,500-1,600 kg DM/ha.

Define pasture utilization.

• Pasture utilization is the amount of pasture eaten relative to the amount of pasture grown.

Measurements of pre- and post-pasture mass can be used to estimate what animal production variable?

Intake is the key variable.

• Intake = Pre-grazing cover – Post-grazing cover

However it can also be used to measure grazing days, and appropriate stocking rates can be calculated.

• Optimize intake: avoid restriction or excess.

What type of fertiliser is often used to stimulate pasture growth?

Nitrogen fertilizer is commonly used to stimulate pasture growth.

Discuss three challenges facing future farming systems.

• Climate Change-causing environmental changes

• Efficient water usage

• Water inequality (having access to enough water).

• Increasing global populations mean production must increase.

• Social License (opinions on farming).

• Changing regulations/policies

• Developments in technology

• Communication and understanding between increasingly disparate urban and rural populations.

How are we going to increase livestock production to meet future demands?

• Aims for improved production efficiency;

  • Achieving more output from the same or reduced land area.

• The focus is not on increasing stocking rates or intensity but on leveraging technology to improve productivity.

  • Use of C-Dax Pasture Meter robots, temperature and moisture sensors, imaging, AI, GPS, and accelerometer technology.

List three areas where improvement to livestock production can be made.

1. Breeding and genetics for better traits

2. Nutrition and feed efficiency

3. Animal health and welfare practices

Food production accounts for what percentage of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Approximately 26% of global green house gas emissions.

• Livestock and crops both account for 30% of this.

  • With beef by far producing the most.

What are the three main green house gases?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

Which green house gas is made by ruminant livestock?

Methane.

• Produced during digestion and fermentation in the stomachs of ruminants.

• Majority is belched out as gas.

Globally, which of the livestock production system has the largest land use per kilogram of food product produced?

Sheep( Lamb and Mutton)

• Closely followed by Beef.

What percentage of the global (dietary) protein supply comes from meat and dairy products?

37% of the global dietary protein supply.

Globally, approximately how many animals are currently slaughtered each year for meat?

Approximately 80 billion animals are slaughtered each year for meat.

What is a bobby calf?

Any surplus dairy calf (typically male).

What is the minimum age bobby calves must be before being transported off farm?

Bobby calves must be at least four days old before being transported off farm.

• This ensures that the bobby calf has had sufficient nutrient, is healthy and will be able to walk on the truck by itself.

What are the two humane methods of slaughter currently used for the destruction of male layer chicks?

Maceration (pretty much a mincer ) and Carbon Dioxide gas euthanasia.

Approximately how much dry matter (DM%) does New Zealand pasture typically contain?

• Grass Moisture (~80%)

• Dry Matter (~20%)

Approximately how much dry matter (DM%) does cereal grains typically contain?

• Cereal grains contain ~85% DM

What percentage of ash (mineral content) is in the dry matter of most feeds?

• Most feeds contain ~10% ash in the DM

  • Ash is a estimation of mineral content.

How is the potential feeding value of a animal's diet calculated (DN)

Every crop has a different Feeding Value.

• The potential Feeding Value (FV) of a diet is a function of intake and nutritive value (NV)

  • FV = intake \times NV

What proportion of New Zealand households own at least one pet?

A significant majority, approximately 63%.

• 0 pets = 37%

• 1 pet = 31%

• 2 pets = 18%

• 3 pets = 7%

• 4 pets = 8%

List the top four (4) most common pets in NZ?

Cats(40%) ,Dogs (31%), Fowl(5.5%) and Fish(5.0%).

What is meant by the term anthropomorphism?

Attributing human characteristics and behavior to animals.

• e.g. Birds giving hugs or dogs smiling.

List four (4) common reasons for owning a pet.

• Companionship

• Security

• Relaxation

• Giving younger children a responsibility.

• Encouraged exercise.

• Pest Control.

• They needed a home.

• Inherited it.

• Is a working Animal.

• To breed/ enter competitions/ as a hobby.

List four (4) common negative aspects of, or barriers to, pet ownership.

• Allergies

• Limited space/Unsuitable home.

• Unsuitable Lifestyle

• Large time commitment and responsibility.

• Can be expensive.

• Messy and potentially damage to house or belongings.

• Could cause physical harm and disease.

• Pet loss can be heartbreaking.

• Property landlord does not allow animals.

TRUE or FALSE: In New Zealand, it is mandatory to desex (neuter/spay) your pet cat.

False.

It is dependent on your local councils legislations.

Thus, It is not mandatory to desex pet cats on a national level.

TRUE or FALSE: In New Zealand, pet dogs must be registered and microchipped.

True. In New Zealand, it is a legal requirement for pet dogs to be registered and microchipped.

Are animals used in research, testing and teaching covered under New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999?

Animals used in research, testing, and teaching are covered in the act, but by a separate section and are treated differently.

Why are sheep the most common animal used for research and teaching in New Zealand?

Sheep are the most commonly used because:

• We have a massive agriculture sector and a lot of the research being done relates to animals in farming situation (Growth, behavior, breeding ect.)

• Sheep also have similar physiology to other ruminants and thus can be used as proxies for these species. This is because in comparison to other ruminants, such as cattle, they are the cheapest and easiest to manage.

• Sheep are also used in human pregnancy research due to the similar size of fetus, but are easier to operate on.

Why are live birds not allowed to be imported into New Zealand?

Live birds are not allowed to be imported into New Zealand due to concerns over biosecurity and the potential introduction of avian diseases, that we are currently free of, that could harm our unique population of rare and endangered birds, and poultry industries.

Define animal ethics.

A branch of ethics examining human-animal relationships and the moral consideration of animals, focusing on how nonhuman animals ought to be treated.

Define animal welfare.

Refers to the welfare of animals, specifically how they experience life and whether this experience is good or bad.

Define animal rights.

Primarily refers to the right of animals not to be used or exploited by humans.

List four (4) key points from New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999.

1. Recognizes animals as sentient.

2. Creation of regulations to make animal welfare more immediately enforceable.

3. Some animals are not protected under the act because they are classified as pests.

4. Animals used in research, testing, and teaching are covered in the act, but by a separate section and are treated differently.

Define what is meant by the 'physical, health, and behavioral needs' of animals as stated in the New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999.

The Act defines these needs as:

1. Proper and sufficient food and water

2. Adequate shelter

3. The opportunity to display normal patterns of behavior

4. Appropriate physical handling

5. Protection from, and rapid diagnosis of, injury and disease.

List the four areas of information provided in New Zealand’s Codes of Welfare in relation to provision of minimum animal welfare standards.

Details on minimum standards for specific species and situations are written into the various Codes of Welfare.

• These codes cover:

1. Appropriate management of animals

2. Appropriate behavior of animal owners and handlers

3. Establishment of minimum standards

4. Identification and promotion of best practice

Who is the primary regulatory body responsible for the development of animal welfare policy in New Zealand?

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for the development of policy.

• Policy formed by them on animal welfare standards are enforceable by law.

  • by RSPCA and MPI inspectors.

List and briefly describe three NZ animal welfare issues.

Some Examples:

• Methods of Egg production: caged versus barn.

  • Issues with overcrowding and living conditions.

• Dairy farming: Concerns about treatment and living conditions of dairy cows.

• Greyhound racing: Issues regarding the treatment of racing dogs and their retirement.

• Methods of Euthanasia and Sexing/spaying.

• Companion animals:

  • Nutrition and exercise.

    • The epidemic obesity in pets.

  • Designer breeds.

    • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Heart issues and a genetic condition called Syringomyelia.

    • British Bulldogs: Predisposition to bone and joint problems, particularly in the hip.

    • Poodles: Trouble with vision and patellar luxation.

    • Pugs: Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS).

• Conservation:

  • Cats vs. wildlife.

    • Cats kill birds but restricting there outdoor movements infringes there rights under the animal welfare act.

  • Control of introduced species.

  • Captive breeding programs/zoos.

Define what is meant by “intensive livestock production”.

A productive system characterized by large amounts of labor and capital relative to land area.

Define what is meant by “extensive livestock production”.

A productive system characterized by small amounts of labor and capital relative to land area.

What type of climate does New Zealand have? ? Discuss the influence New Zealand’s climate has on its sheep and cattle production systems.

New Zealand has a temperate climate.

This provides suitable rainfall and pasture growth, allowing for a relatively cheap and renewable feed source.

Describe pig production systems currently used in New Zealand.

• New Zealand has a relatively small pig industry:

  • Approximately 90 commercial pig farms in NZ.

    • Average herd size approximately 300 sows.

• About 40-45% of these commercial pig operations are outdoor.

  • There are two types of these Outdoor Systems:

    • Free farmed (The majority):

      • Outdoor-based breeding herd.

      • Indoor-based housing system for growing pigs post-weaning.

    • Free range (2%):

      • Outdoor-based breeding herd.

      • Newly weaned pigs may be kept for a short period in a fenced outdoor pen with a shelter, before they are fully transitioned for rearing outdoors during the grower-finisher period.

Describe poultry production systems currently used in New Zealand.

There are two types of poultry; Broilers(meat production) and layer hens (egg production).

For Broiler Chickens:

• Two housing systems:

  • 97% of NZ Broiler chickens are raised in barns.

  • The remaining 3% in free-range system.

    • Birds housed in a barn but can roam freely outdoors for at least part of the day.

For Layer Hens:

• Three housing systems:

  • Colony cages: 33%.

  • Free range: 34% - Access to an extensive outdoor area with an indoor shelter.

  • Barn: 33% - Deep litter system, similar to a broiler house.