Letters to the editor

Abstract

Extract

Sir:- New Zealand beef cattle numbers have dwindled from 6.7 million head in 1975⁽⁷⁾ to 4.4 million in 1983.⁽⁸⁾ A decline in sheep and cattle farm profitability has been an influential factor. A compensatory factor however, has been the increased utilization of 2–3 month old dairy beef calves which may be purchased for considerably less capital outlay than beef weaners (7–8 months old) and which also fulfil a demand for lean beef production. The integration of dairy beef calves into intensive sheep systems requires a reassessment of management methods by farmers more familiar with traditional beef breeds. It was in this context that an evaluation was made of an autumn liveweight response to implantations of 36 mg zeranol (*Ralgro® International Minerals & Chemical Corporation, USA) and/or treatment with 5 mg/kg oxfendazole (†Systemex® Coopers Animal Health NZ Limited, Upper Hutt, New Zealand) in Friesian weaner steers grazing a Hawkes Bay hill country sheep farm (12 stock units per hectare).