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OMFS training is perceived as a long and expensive pathway although papers have shown it compares favourably with other surgical specialties. Every OMFS clinician has a vested interest and duty continually to improve the quality of training and minimise costs, especially to trainees at junior levels. Any serious proposal to fundamentally change the format of training, must be given due consideration by all stakeholders. In 2016, a British Medical Journal article whose authors included the BAOMS President of that year and OMFS Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) Chair, posed the question - should the future of OMFS training revert to single dental degree, change to single medical degree - or continue as a dual degree specialty? The BMJ publication was discussed at the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) Council in March 2016 and all present unanimously supported the dual degree pathway. Later that year a formal proposal was made by the BAOMS immediate past President that training in the UK change to single medical degree ‘Maxillofacial Surgery’ similar to the training in Spain, France or Italy. Evidence around the risks and benefits of making this change to OMFS training was assembled and reviewed by BAOMS Council in March 2017. BAOMS Council once again unanimously supported continuing OMFS as a dual degree specialty with the observation that the quality of patient care which this training provided was the specialty’s Unique Selling Point or USP. The requirement for both degrees to provide care for OMFS patients had been confirmed by external scrutiny on two separate occasions by the responsible regulators. In this paper, we outline the key steps to be considered when making major changes in the OMFS training pathways using this event as an example and the suggestion that those proposing changes should assemble and present evidence to support their proposal using the template provided.

Volunteer native pastures on widespread sodic texture contrast soils in northern New South Wales slopes and plains are known for their limited agricultural production. Fertilised tropical grass pastures on these soils are reported to have much increased pasture production, deeper, more abundant root mass and greater soil profile moisture storage. The subsoil physical differences between native and tropical grass pastures are not well understood. This observational study compared root abundance, soil structure and soil physical parameters (dispersion, bulk density, porosity and pore distribution) in sodic texture contrast soils under native and adjacent, well established and fertilised tropical pastures in a 14-year chronosequence. The physical differences observed may have contributed to improved soil water storage reported by other authors. Fourteen years after establishment, mean root abundance was significantly lower in soils under native pasture and greater in the tropical grass pasture system with 4600 and 8400 m of roots m -3respectively. Dispersion values were high in native pastures but soils under tropical pastures had to be physically worked to cause dispersion. Bulk density under native pasture was significantly higher than in tropical grass pastures by 0.08 g cm -3 at 0-10 cm and by 0.2 g cm -3 in the upper B horizons. Total soil porosity of topsoils and upper B horizons was consequently lower in native than in tropical grass pasture. Tropical grass pasture upper B horizons had a three-fold greater macroporosity (pores > 30 -m), than under native pastures. This is equivalent to significantly greater potential water flow through stable macropores in dense sodic B horizons in tropical pastures. These findings indicate that pasture system selection and management positively affects deep soil structural properties which promote pasture productivity. The study contributes to a better understanding of mechanisms of published deeper water storage in tropical grass pasture systems on these normally low production soils.

This paper introduces a series of papers in the form of a special edition that reports phenotypic analyses done in parallel with genotypic analyses for the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC) using data generated from the information nucleus flock (INF). This has allowed new knowledge to be gained of the genetic, environment and management factors that impact on the carcase and eating quality, visual appeal, odour and health attributes of Australian lamb meat. The research described involved close collaboration with commercial partners across the supply chain in the sire breeding as well as the meat processing industries. This approach has enabled timely delivery and adoption of research results to industry in an unprecedented way and provides a good model for future research.

La poblacion de Merino australiano ha disminuido de forma significativa a lo largo de los ultimos 15 anos como respuesta a una bajada del precio de las prendas de lana, tanto en terminos absolutos como en lo relativo al precio de su carne. Durante el mismo periodo de tiempo, se ha presentado un sistema nacional de evaluacion genetica basado en los metodos BLUP, cuya aceptacion por parte de los criaderos va creciendo de forma progresiva. Los parametros geneticos estimados para la poblacion indican una importante diversidad genetica para todos los rasgos registrados, proporcionando una gran oportunidad para la mejora genetica. Mas recientemente, determinadas pruebas han puesto de manifiesto un progreso, cada vez mas rapido, con respecto a las caracteristicas del vellon, asi como a una serie de caracteristicas relacionadas con la adaptacion y la produccion de carne. La poblacion de Merino esta evolucionando hacia dos grandes grupos � uno centrado en la produccion de lana para ropa de alta calidad cuya seccion de fibra es inferior a las 19 micras y utilizadas en empresas con unos ingresos en la proporcion lana-carne a razon de 3 a 1 respectivamente, y otro mas centrado en la cria de un animal de doble proposito que produce una fibra de lana cuya seccion se encuentra entre 19 y 21 micras y utilizadas en empresas cuyos ingresos corresponden a la proporcion lana:carne a razon de 1.5 a 1:1 respectivamente. Detras de estas tendencias existe un creciente enfoque en las caracteristicas de adaptacion que incluyen una resistencia a parasitos, una menor necesidad de intervenciones por veterinarios, y un mayor crecimiento en edades tempranas, asi como un aumento de la fertilidad y de la capacidad maternal. Juntas, estas tendencias apuntan hacia un ganado ovino cuyos cuidados son cada vez mas sencillos, asi como a la explotacion de la diversidad genetica disponible para aumentar rapidamente la rentabilidad.

Genetic parameters were estimated using uni- and bi-variate random regression models for weight, eye-muscle depth and fat depth measures between 60 and 360 days of age. Each trait was measured up to five times in 50-day intervals following weaning on approximately 4000 Australian Poll Dorset Sheep. The model accounted for rearing type, dam age, management group and age of recording. The model used for analysing weight included quadratic, orthogonal polynomials for direct genetic and environmental effects, a linear polynomial for maternal genetic effects and heterogeneous error variance across ages. The fat and muscle analysis used linear orthogonal polynomials for direct genetic and environmental effects and heterogeneous error variance. Throughout the 300-day trajectory heritability for weight traits ranged from 0·20 to 0·31, while heritability for fat depth ranged from 0·24 to 0·34 and heritability for eye-muscle depth ranged from 0·24 to 0·40. Genetic correlations between repeated measures of the same trait at different ages were positive and declined as the age interval increased, to minimum values of 0·60, 0·31 and 0·50 for weight, fat and muscle respectively between 60 and 360 days of age. Genetic correlations between weight and fat and weight and eye muscle were moderate to high (0·6 to 0·8) and positive but decreased slightly with age. The genetic correlations between fat and muscle were moderate to high (0·5 to 0·7) throughout the 300-day trajectory. In all cases, the estimates produced in this study were reasonably consistent with the limited number of studies that exist in the reported literature. This study demonstrated the relationships that exist between repeated measures of weight, fat and muscle measures over time, which is of interest to prime lamb producers looking to select for specific breeding objectives or market end points requiring precise weight, fat and muscle combinations at certain ages.

Random regression has been proposed as an accurate method for evaluation of growth data; however, this method has seldom been applied to data from an extensive industry where few records per animal exist. Consequently, field data containing weights of Poll Dorset sheep from 50 to 500 days of age were analysed fitting a random regression model. This model included quadratic, orthogonal polynomials for direct genetic and environmental effects and maternal environmental effects, a linear polynomial for maternal genetic effects and heterogeneous error variances. Direct heritability estimates increased steadily throughout time and were in agreement with literature estimates taken at specific ages. Some estimates for the highest ages with the least records tended to be overestimated, in particular heritability beyond 450 days. Research to solve this problem may require use of a function other than a polynomial. Variances due to maternal genetic effects were low throughout the trajectory. Covariances between weights of sheep for a considerable range of ages can be modelled adequately using random regression.

Technologies for capturing and transmitting data from different points in livestock value chains are developing very rapidly, and interest is growing in how best to use such technologies. While new data-capture technology comes with the promise of producers and others being more informed about a system, what usually results is large and complex datasets. A key challenge is to make use of the data or information. The present paper initially outlines the data-capture points and flow of information that occurs throughout the Australian beef cattle and meat sheep value chain. The avenues through which feedback can be delivered to commercial producers are briefly summarised, along with the value of this feedback and the factors that affect its value. Finally, practical principles for effective feedback systems are provided. While data capture is occurring throughout the value chain, the main focus of the paper is on carcass- and eating-quality feedback from processors to commercial producers. There is significant variation in the volume, nature and quality of data collected, and also the flow of information among members of the chain. Further, there appears to be an inconsistency in the levels of demand or desire for the feedback. The value of feedback ultimately depends on the producer’s ability to make better business decisions as a result of having that data or information. Increasing market specifications and compliance will result in greater profitability for the producer, as well as processor. The value of feedback also depends on several other factors, including its accuracy, its granularity, whether or not it can be connected to other data, and what options the producer has to use that information in the future. Feedback must be interpretable and enable better business decisions. The value of feedback will also increase if extended further upstream along the supply chain for genetic evaluation, provided there is enough information on genetically informed animals and their identifications can be tracked across the supply chain. For efficient feedback systems, every member in the chain needs to see value in the feedback, and there needs to be a mutual commitment and shared vision between all value-chain partners. Further, feedback must be provided in an efficient and practical manner, so as to increase the willingness of the information providers to deliver the feedback. Producers should be involved in any attempts to enhance feedback systems. Since there is variability in the needs, wants and capabilities of processors and producers, multiple dynamic and flexible feedback systems are required. An incentive to enhance feedback systems is to provide a value proposition by calculating the monetary value of the feedback to all members of the chain. Better objective measurements and Meat Standards Australia for lamb is likely to also contribute to better feedback value propositions. Communication and fostering of relationships among supply-chain members will always remain critical. While data permissions add a complication to information sharing across the chain, benefits can be gained by not only the commercial producer, but the entire industry.

Australian seedstock cattle breeders have expressed concerns that while there has been genetic improvement in feedlot and abattoir performance of cows, it could have led to a decline in maternal productivity, especially under variable nutritional conditions. This paper describes a substantial project with two components designed to address these issues. The first sub-project was to monitor bodyweight and composition of 7760 young Angus and Hereford cows as they experience variable physiological states (pregnancy and lactation) and seasons. This was conducted on large numbers in seedstock herds. The second sub-project was to monitor more regularly bodyweight, body composition, and calf rearing performance of 500 Angus cows that are genetically divergent for either fat or residual feed intake at two research centres. This also included two levels of nutrition and recording of weekly feed intake of small groups of cows for at least three parities to allow reporting of genotype × nutrition effects on maternal productivity and efficiency. Results from the project are reported in a series of papers with each one having a defined focus.

This dispute has focussed on the loss of government, social and private services (such as hospitals, road funding, banks), globalisation (particularly with respect to international trade rules) and the impact of `economic rationalism' and national competition policy. Robert Manne has recently summarised the elements of the perceived problem (Sydney Morning Herald, April 2 2001), arguing, among other things, that the `emergence of the One Nation party ... represents, above all other things, a cry of anger from poorer country Australians and, to a lesser extent, from those who live on the fringes of the cities and the towns'. His prognosis is that the votes of the disaffected seem certain to `wash away the Howard Government' just as doubts must remain about the ability of an ALP Government to do any better. Manne's article begins with an outline of the urban-rural divide in income terms, showing higher proportions of poorer households in rural areas. He suggests -- on the basis of statistics on farm revenues in the 1950s and today -- that perhaps the most important single factor is `the long-term decline of the prosperity of the family farm'. This article and the general debate of which it is a part raise important issues for any country whose population occupies a range of environments and generates wealth from a range of activities. I would like to focus briefly on the core of the problem as identified by Manne -- namely, the decline in the prosperity of family farms -- and to examine some data relevant to this, together with the political responses it has produced and the practical choices available to both individuals and communities. I do this in the belief that the broader political and social debate (along with the cultural discussion woven through it) might well be rendered more productive if some of the underlying facts were better understood. It is true that there has been a long-term decline in the income of farming businesses. This is evident both in census statistics and -- more usefully for diagnosis -- in long-term trends in the real prices for rural commodities (real prices being simply the received prices adjusted for inflation). Most farm products show rates of decline in real price of about 3%-4% for as long as records have been kept, albeit with fluctuations around the trend, as demonstrated in the graph below. This is obviously disheartening. It means that the same amount of effort by the farmer will yield 3%-4% less buying power every year. Twenty years of this -- not even one working life span for most farmers -- means that effective income is halved. But before even thinking about possible responses to this trend, why do farmers face the problem? Is it unique? Taking the second question first, the answer must be a resounding no. For as long as data have been available -- which, in the case of some metals, means two hundred years or more -- the trends in real prices for all goods (whether minerals, farm products, consumer goods or miscellaneous widgets) and services (banking, housing, standard health treatment, and so forth) display the same pattern: a steady decline at rates of between 1% and 4% annually. Perhaps the simplest (and most important) fact of economic life is this: that the real value of practically all goods and services will decline. But why so? The primary reason is that human beings, for a variety of reasons, seek to make things more efficiently. Whether this is motivated by greed, laziness, the desire to be doing something else (perhaps fishing or going to the beach) or sunspots, it is enough to say that humans by and large achieve their goal of greater efficiency, and creatively apply this to more and more `things'. The result is that new products and services continue to be invented; and no sooner are they offered for consumption than their real price begins to decline. In this context, farm products are like any others. …

The purpose of this study was to define the anatomical arrangement of the lumbar spine in the mid body sagittal plane of a human volunteer while in three postures: a driving posture; full flexion; and full extension. Radiographic images of the lumbar spine were made of a 33-year old 50th percentile male subject seated in a comfortable driving position. The paper discusses findings of the study.

Sheep breeders in Australia that focus on lamb production simultaneously breed sheep that have higher growth rate, improved carcass quality and are resistant to internal parasites. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 11 traits recorded in Australian meat sheep, covering liveweight, carcass and internal parasite resistance traits. As the population of meat sheep in this database have become increasingly crossbred this study also investigates the genetic variation within and between breeds. The data comprised 1 046 298 animals from 149 Poll Dorset, 17 Suffolk, 24 Texel and 118 White Suffolk flocks. The results are averages of analyses of 10 datasets constructed by randomly sampling 25% of these flocks. There was considerable genetic variation in all traits analysed: the lowest heritabilities (0.12) were found for weaning weight and the highest heritabilities (0.31–0.32) for eye muscle depth. There were also significant differences between breeds for most traits, which breeders appear to be utilising through crossbreeding. Direct heterosis effects were small and only significant for the liveweight traits ranging from 2% to 3.4% of the phenotypic means. Maternal heterosis was not significant for any trait studied. The inclusion of heterosis effects in the model did not significantly influence the estimated genetic parameters. The results from this study have been used to review the genetic parameters used in the LAMBPLAN routine genetic evaluations conducted by Sheep Genetics.

A model of the sheep breeding industry with nucleus flocks, multiplier flocks and commercial sheep flocks was used to examine the value of genomic selection. The model reflected a dual-purpose Merino breeding objective, with genomic information improving selection accuracy by 39% for rams at 6 months of age and by 17% at 18 months. The current level of net dollar benefit to the sheep industry from selection, but without genomic testing, can be improved by 10–14% for a closed three-tiered breeding structure with rams used at 18 months. If the rams are first used at 6–7 months then the dollar gains can be improved by 15–17%, since genomic information can provide proportionately greater gains for young animals that have limited phenotypic information. In a two-tiered breeding system, with nucleus flocks selling rams direct to commercial producers, rather than through multiplier flocks, the dollar gains to industry from genomic testing increased to ~12–13% for rams bred at 18 months, and 20–22% if nucleus rams are used at 6–7 months. The optimal structure requires two-stage selection, with an initial selection based on information available without genomic testing, to limit the cost of testing to only the superior rams. However, the optimum proportion of rams tested depends on the system and the cost of testing. In order to recover the cost of genomic testing, the nucleus flocks must recover up to 5% of the extra genetic gain as extra profit from sale of rams to commercial sheep producers.

The Australian sheep Cooperative Research Centre has initiated an information nucleus with the aim to estimate genetic parameters for new traits, to undertake a large-scale whole-genome association study and to enhance the breeding values of breeding animals in commercial studs. This paper presents the rationale behind the current design factors to meet the main objectives. It then discusses the potential design of an information nucleus if it were a sustainable part of commercial sheep-breeding programs in the long term. Advantages of such an information nucleus are summarised and quantified where possible.

The combined effects of age and genetics and Poll Dorset sire and growth path were studied in two separate experiments (n = 595 and 627, respectively). In the first experiment, containing genotype crosses typically used in Australia (Merino, Poll Dorset, Border Leicester) and sires selected for growth or muscling, sheep were slaughtered at 4, 8, 14 and 22 months. The second experiment used Poll Dorset sires selected for high muscling, fat or growth with progeny having two levels of nutrition postweaning. Border Leicesters expressed higher levels of carcass fat percentage and intramuscular fat and produced the heaviest carcass. Merinos had the lowest subcutaneous fat depth and highest carcass lean percentage when compared at the same age. The progeny of Poll Dorset sires selected for high muscling (PDm) expressed a shift toward glycolytic fibres relative to those from Merino sires, and PDm sires produced progeny with reduced spine and limb length and higher carcass muscle : mineral ratios, suggesting skeletal stunting. Genotype meat quality differences were minimal except that PDm sire topsides were tougher and Merinos produced higher pH meat. With age (4–22 months), lambs became heavier and fatter, fibres shifted towards oxidative and away from glycolytic, muscle myoglobin increased, the meat became darker and redder and tenderness declined. Early weaning had no effect on the time to reach slaughter weight, provided nutrition was not restricted. The sire genetics influence on the carcass composition far outweighed the effect of nutrition postweaning. Lambs on a restricted diet tended to have less acceptable meat quality but this was not evident in lambs from sires selected for high fatness. Sensory tenderness was improved and intramuscular fat was higher in lamb progeny from sires selected for high fatness.

To mount a critique of Freud's views on any polemical issue is almost always a risky business. This is partly because one remembers the fate of so many of his earlier critics. As Phillip Rieff so delightfully puts it, ‘much of Freud's polemical writing is so superior to that of his opponents, that it takes on the character of a totem feast in which the most powerful sons are carved up with swift clean strokes, the father, meanwhile, justifying his action at every stroke’. There is also the possibility that exposure to psychoanalytic theory of one's own presuppositions and views will result in their being transformed into something quite different or to their being quite psychoanalysed away. Nevertheless the task must be undertaken. Freud's approach to religion has had too pervasive an influence upon modern thought to be ignored. Also, its complexity and potential have not always been sufficiently discerned by those who, especially from a Christian point of view, have sought to grapple with it.