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Genetics of wool and cashmere fibre: Progress, challenges, and future research
Get PDFWool (sheep) and cashmere (goat) fibres have unique biological, physical, and chemical properties and these fibres are becoming more important as the demand for natural products increases. However, these complex protein fibres are at times compromised by natural variability in their properties, and this can impact their use and value. Genetic improvement via selection and breeding can partly overcome this problem, enabling the farming of sheep and goats that produce more desirable fibre. This review explores the challenges in improving wool and cashmere fibre characteristics using genetics, with a focus on improving our understanding of the key protein components of fibres, wool keratins and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). Despite progress in our knowledge of these proteins, gaining a better understanding of them and how they affect these fibres remains an ongoing challenge. This is not straight-forward, given the large number of similar yet unique genes that produce the proteins and the gaps that remain in their identification and characterisation. More research is required to clarify gene and protein sequence variability and the location and patterns of gene expression, which in turn limits our understanding of fibre growth and variation. Several aspects that currently hinder our progress in this quest include the incomplete identification of all the genes and weaknesses in the approaches used to characterise them, including newer omics technologies. We describe future research directions and challenges, including the need for ongoing gene identification, variation characterisation, and gene expression analysis and association studies to enable further improvement to these valuable natural fibres
What do scientists mean when they talk about research animals "volunteering"?
No full textThis paper examines discourses around "volunteering"in animal research. Through a qualitative textual analysis of the scientific literature using animals in behavioral and psychological research, we demonstrate that "voluntary"and related terms are used by scientists in a variety of distinct ways, which carry a range of ethical and political connotations. While any reference to volunteering might be assumed to imply free, unconstrained, and unpaid participation in an activity, in the animal research literature the term is often used simply to signal a lack of physical restraint, even though other human-imposed constraints are at play. Though truly voluntary behavior may be impossible, we nevertheless argue that there is a case for seeing use of the language of volunteering as an ethical or political move in which scientists aim to highlight a goal of minimizing human control, promoting animal welfare, or representing their research as ethically acceptable
Trouble on the horizon: anticipating biological invasions through futures thinking
No full textAnticipating future biosecurity threats to prevent their occurrence is the most cost-effective strategy to manage invasive alien species. Yet, biological invasions are complex, highly uncertain processes. High uncertainty drives decision-making away from strategic preventative measures and towards operational outcomes aimed at post-invasion management. The limited success of preventative measures in curbing biological invasions reflects this short-term mindset and decision-makers should instead apply strategic foresight to imagine futures where biosecurity threats are minimised. Here, four major futures thinking tools (environmental scanning, driver-mapping, horizon scanning, and scenario planning) that describe probable, possible, plausible and preferable futures are assessed in terms of their potential to support both research and policy addressing biological invasions. Environmental scanning involves surveying existing data sources to detect signals of emerging alien species through knowledge of changes in either the likelihood or consequences of biological invasions. Several approaches are widely used for biosecurity including automated scans of digital media, consensus-based expert scoring, and prediction markets. Automated systems can be poor at detecting weak signals because of the large volume of ‘noise’ they generate while expert scoring relies on prior knowledge and so fails to identify unknown unknowns which is also true of prediction markets that work well for quite specific known risks. Driver-mapping uses expert consensus to identify the political, economic, societal, technological, legislative, and environmental forces shaping the future and is a critical component of strategic foresight that has rarely been applied to biological invasions. Considerable potential exists to extend this approach to develop system maps to identify where biosecurity interventions may be most effective and to explore driver complexes to determine megatrends shaping the future of biological invasions. Horizon scanning is a systematic outlook of potential threats and future developments to detect weak signals of emerging issues that exist at the margins of current thinking. Applications have been strongly focused on emerging issues related to research and technological challenges relevant to biosecurity and invasion science. However, most of these emerging issues are already well known in current-day research. Because horizon scanning is based on expert consensus, it needs to embrace a diversity of cultural, gender, and disciplinary diversity more adequately to ensure participants think intuitively and outside of their own subject boundaries. Scenario planning constructs storylines that describe alternative ways the political, economic, social, technological, legislative, and environmental situation might develop in the future. Biological invasion scenario planning has favoured structured approaches such as standardised archetypes and uncertainty matrices, but scope exists to apply more intuitive thinking by using incasting, backcasting, or causal layered analysis. Futures thinking in biological invasions has not engaged with decision-makers or other stakeholders adequately and thus outcomes have been light on policy and management priorities. To date, strategic foresight addressing biological invasions has applied each approach in isolation. Yet, an integrated approach to futures thinking that involves a diverse set of stakeholders in exploring the probable, possible, plausible, and preferable futures relating to biological invasions is crucial to the delivery of strategic biosecurity foresight at both national and global scales
Effects of soil compaction on soil physical and chemical properties in apple orchards : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textTraffic-induced soil compaction is a widespread and detrimental process that substantially affects soil quality globally. This compaction often results in increased bulk density and penetration resistance, along with alterations in soil pore function and reduced soil fertility, all of which collectively degrades overall soil quality. Although assessments of soil compaction have primarily focused on structural changes, such as increased bulk density and reduced pore volume, the relationship between these structural alterations and key hydraulic properties have not been thoroughly explored. Consequently, most research has concentrated on the structural impacts of compaction, with limited emphasis on how compaction influenced hydraulic properties or how intrinsic soil characteristics affected this response. Furthermore, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews or quantitative studies examining the effects of compaction on soil water retention and physical quality, as well as the role of soil properties in this context. Additionally, research on soil compaction in New Zealand apple orchards, particularly regarding traffic-induced compaction, is scarce. Therefore, this highlighted the need for studies investigating the effects of compaction on soil physical and chemical properties to address the existing knowledge gap regarding the causes and extent of compaction in orchard soils.
To date, the evaluation of soil compaction has mainly focused on structural changes like bulk density, with limited research on its impact on hydraulic properties. In New Zealand apple orchards, the effects of traffic-induced compaction on physical and chemical properties remain underexplored. This PhD study aims to address these gaps by investigating how orchard age and traffic patterns influence soil compaction, providing insights for better orchard management and long-term soil health. Three specific objectives were established: (1) conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to examine how soil water retention functions respond to compaction and the role of basic soil properties in this response; (2) assess the impact of soil compaction on physical properties (penetration resistance, bulk density, aggregate stability, soil gas diffusivity, soil water retention properties, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil porosities) across different planting ages and traffic positions; and (3) evaluate the effects of compaction on key soil chemical properties, including carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, mineralisable nitrogen, hot water extractable carbon and carbon stock.
The meta-analysis results indicated that while traffic and soil basic properties did not significantly impact field capacity, they led to a substantial reduction in macro-porosity and an overall increase in bulk density, which were influenced by factors such as traffic treatment, clay content, soil organic carbon, and soil moisture content at compaction. Furthermore, soil organic carbon and clay content significantly affected how soil responded to compaction, with variations in bulk density, macro-porosity, and available water capacity depending on soil moisture levels during compaction. The investigation into the impact of compaction on soil physical and chemical properties revealed that traffic positions significantly influenced most soil physical and chemical properties, except mean weight diameter and the C/N ratio in both orchards. In contrast, only mineralizable nitrogen was not significantly affected by the planting age across all soil properties in both orchards. Additionally, a strong interaction between traffic positions and planting ages on soil physical and chemical properties was observed in both orchards
The impact of animal welfare regulations in New Zealand: Estimating welfare for egg consumers as cages are phased out : A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textScientific research on animal welfare and increased public concern prompted the government of New Zealand to phase out conventional cages over 2012-2022. The shift sought to improve hen welfare through alternative housing systems such as free-range, barn, and colony cages, which provide better living conditions for the hens. This study investigates consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for the eggs produced under enhanced animal welfare production systems and how information influences their preferences. Many studies have investigated consumers' WTP, preferences, the underlying attribute non-attendance (ANA), and estimated consumer welfare changes due to improved animal welfare outcomes; however, these respective empirical studies generally used a mixed information approach, presenting positive and negative (unbalanced) aspects to the consumers. This is the first study in the New Zealand egg sector to explore the effect of unbalanced information on consumers' WTP and to measure changes in welfare following the phasing out of cages. Understanding how consumers respond when presented with unmixed information, where positives and negatives are separated, is important.
The study aims to fill these gaps by investigating: (1) consumers' preferences and WTP when presented with unmixed information, mimicking a scenario of receiving unbalanced information; (2) ANA by consumers for certain attributes; and (3) the consumer welfare changes because of phasing out cages (conventional and colony cages) in the egg industry.
A nationwide survey was conducted using a self-sampling approach in June 2022 using three randomised blocks. The first group was a control group (Treatment 1), with no additional information provided. Treatment 2 had positive information about the various housing systems, and Treatment 3 had negative information. The survey resulted in 876 usable responses, which were analysed using a random parameter logit (RPL) model. The Hess and Hensher (HH) method was used to check for ANA for some attributes. The results show a preference for free-range eggs, and that information impacts consumers' purchasing decisions, particularly negative information.
Additionally, using the HH approach, this research reveals a level of ANA, especially regarding nesting boxes, perches for roosting, and scratching area (NPRS). Furthermore, estimates of compensating variation (CV) indicate a total national welfare loss of approximately 297.46 million from the anticipated phase-out of colony cages. These values represent the monetary amounts consumers would require maintaining their original level of utility under the new regulatory conditions, based on a population of 5.0213 million.
The findings of this thesis indicate that while consumers were willing to pay a premium for eggs laid under improved animal welfare outcomes, price remains a dominant factor for others. While welfare-improving attributes, such as access to the outdoors, were positively valued, they did not, counterbalance the disutility of higher prices and increased mortality. Therefore, overall consumer welfare declined despite the existence of welfare-focused attributes.
The results from the ANA models show that the NPRS attribute was consistently ignored across all treatments, with the highest rate of 38.44% in treatment 1. The cages were more ignored in Treatment 3 (89.93%), the medium mortality rate was 77.30% in Treatment 2, and the other attributes were mostly with less than 13% across all Treatments. However, accounting for ANA using the HH method did not improve model fit, indicating that accounting for ANA does not always improve model fit to data. It also shows that accounting for ANA may add another complexity to the model without any added explanatory power. Finally, this research's findings provide critical insights to policymakers and other New Zealand egg industry stakeholders who seek to improve hen welfare outcomes while balancing consumers' welfare. They show the importance of carefully disseminating balanced information to the public
Evaluation of food grade products for attractancy to potato tomato psyllid adults infected with or without Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University
Get PDFTomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae)) (TPP) is an insect, introduced to New Zealand in 2006, which causes significant damage to potato crops on the Canterbury plains of New Zealand. In this study three key aspects of integrated pest management, namely: trapping, biological control and identification of food grade attractants for utilization in a lure, were investigated. In addition, DNA integrity of TPP extracted off yellow sticky cards placed in vivo in potato paddocks was examined.
A novel study of 75 food grade products were evaluated for attractancy to TPP adults. Choice testing using a Y-tube olfactometer found that a total of 16 products had attraction at ≥50% for “cold” TPP (i.e. insects with no infection of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso)). Those attractants included: fatty acids (palm oil + lecithin granules; and macadamia nut oil + lecithin granules); glycerin flakes + lecithin granules; polysaccharides (xanthan gum, micro agar and iota carrageenan, primellose, fermented gelatin type B); disaccharide (trehalose) monosaccharide (xylose); amino acids (glutamine, methionine and valine) an alcohol (96% ethanol) and an acid (phosphoric acid). All of these products were subsequently evaluated for attractancy to “hot” TPP adults (i.e. insects confirmed positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to CaLso). All the amino acids were marginally more attractive to “hot” TPP adults than “cold” ones: methionine (70% vs. 55% respectively), valine (65% vs 60%) and glutamine (55% vs. 50%). Similarly, primellose was also more attractive (60% vs 50% respectively). Xanthan gum, micro agar, trehalose and glycerin flakes + lecithin remained attractive (at 50%), whereas 96% ethanol (45%), iota carrageenan (40%), macadamia nut oil + lecithin granules (40%), phosphoric acid (35%), and palm oil + lecithin granules (25%) were all significantly less attractive than to cold TPP (P<0.01).
Two insect traps were compared throughout the 2022/2023 season, the commonly used yellow sticky card and a novel 3-D printed yellow cup-trap, which was also designed to enable housing of an attractant lure. At low population numbers of TPP seen on the Canterbury plains (mostly only 1 or 0 per trap during 2022/23 potato growing season), both trap types were only partially successful in catching TPP. The highest number of TPP caught in late February/early March 2023 was 8 on a sticky card and 3 in a cup-trap. Inclusion of valine, trehalose and palm oil alone or in combination with each other in late summer did not improve efficiency of the cup-traps.
To determine DNA integrity of TPP, an in vitro study of insects harvested from colonies raised in an acrylic sheet-covered greenhouse found that DNA of a single insect, captured off potato plant into a plastic vial, regardless of age, could be successfully amplified using PCR. In vivo studies found that at least 3 young, light-coloured, TPP adults must be combined in a pooled sample to successfully amplify their DNA. Pooled samples of 5 young TPP adults were placed on yellow sticky cards in vivo in a paddock in autumn. DNA of each pooled sample was then analysed using PCR on days 1 to 7, 10 and 14 in the field. DNA integrity was maintained up to 6 days under field conditions.
This research successfully identified 13 potential products which show potential for use as an attractant lure, although performance in the field against low density populations was not strong. Field use of cone-shaped traps was the first in New Zealand, allowing the inclusion of a lure. In addition, TPP DNA extracted off yellow sticky cards over 1-14 days in the field, found reducing ability to detect TPP over time using PCR, leading to the recommendation that extraction was best done within 7 days, ideally 5 or more TPP as a pooled sample should be used for PCR extractions
Māori branding in Aotearoa New Zealand’s horticulture sector : Starting dialogue with rural professionals
No full textThe study is dedicated to rural professionals and aims to unpack indigenous branding in a tangible manner. It enable horticultural practitioners to make informed decisions on how to respectfully incorporate Māori cultural elements into branding. The work includes best practice examples from the horticultural and beverage industry
Milk alternatives: What drives US consumers’ willingness to try and word-of-mouth?
No full textPlant-based milk alternatives are important beverages in US consumer markets. Sustainability, consumer awareness, lifestyle changes, and other value-based reasons are why these beverages are increasing in popularity. The present study is focused on plant-based milk alternatives. It builds on an online consumer survey that explores the factors explaining US consumers’ willingness to try plant-based milk alternatives and their word-of-mouth sharing about these beverages. Animal welfare concerns, environmental concerns, health consciousness, and dairy preferences are the factors under investigation. Results show that animal welfare, dairy preference, environmental concerns, and plant-based milk enthusiasm are significant predictors for willingness to try plantbased milk alternatives. Dairy preferences, environmental concerns, and plant-based milk enthusiasm predict the word-of-mouth factors. Overall, plant-based milk enthusiasm is the strongest driver for both consumer behaviours. Best practice recommendations address marketers in the US food and beverage industry and provide suggestions on how to target different consumer groups based on nutritional preferences and needs and on value-based product characteristics
The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work
Get PDFNew Zealand is confronting a perfect storm.
Its energy grid faces three pressing challenges at once: an unreliable electricity supply, strict emissions reduction targets and ongoing environmental issues related to wastewater ponds.
As the country prepares to meet growing energy demands, the variability of wind, solar and hydroelectric power has made year-round electricity generation hard to ensure.
Compounding the issue are New Zealand’s emissions targets and avoidable emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
We need immediate, practical solutions. One lies hidden within our wastewater systems
Incidence and magnitude of head acceleration events experienced by female adolescent rugby players across a season of rugby participation
No full textIntroduction: Rugby union is a popular fast paced collision, which exposes players to repeated head acceleration events (HAE). Despite the popularity of the game there is growing concern for rugby union player safety and ongoing medical problems following a concussion or long-term participation in the game. Research on females and adolescent rugby players is sparse, yet they are a growing cohort wanting to play the game. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature regarding HAE exposure in adolescent female rugby players, which will contribute to age and sex specific mitigation strategies for player welfare in rugby union.
Methods: Forty-two (age 14.6 ± 1.3) female rugby players wore an instrumented mouthguard (HIT IQ Nexus) for all games and contact trainings during the 2022 and 2023 rugby seasons. All HAE above 8 g were recorded by the instrumented mouthguard. All sessions were recorded by video to verify all mouthguard detected HAE. In total 1979 rugby player hours were recorded across the two seasons (1283 player-hours of training, 696 player-hours of matches).
Results: We found 3433 video-verified HAEs. Over half of these events (n=2039) were from direct contact to the head and 644 indirect impacts not associated with head contact. Average (± SD) HAE incidence per game was 3.9 ± 2.6 and per training was 0.3 ± 0.2. Average HAE incidence was significantly higher in games (p <0.01, d = 1.2) compared to trainings. Peak Rotational Acceleration was significantly higher (p <0.01, d = 0.10) in games (1735 ± 1549 rads/s2) compared to trainings (1586 ± 1284 rads/s2). However Peak Linear Acceleration was not significantly different (p = 0.15, d = 0.06) between games (19 ± 14 g) and trainings (18 ± 12 g).
Conclusions: Adolescent female rugby players are subject to moderately less HAE incidence compared to male counterparts, with HAE occurring predominantly in games. Monitoring HAE magnitude and incidence is important for rugby safety and understanding the effect of concussive and non- over the longer term