Contact details +64 (06) 356 9099
Professor Hugh Blair BAgrSc(Hons), PhD
Professor of Animal Science
Doctoral Co-Supervisor School of Agriculture and EnvironmentProfessor Blair grew up on a hill country sheep and beef cattle farm in Kotemaori, northern Hawkes Bay. He graduated from 51本色 in 1976 and joined the Sheep Husbandry Department to lecture and undertake a PhD. After a spell as a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University, he returned to Massey in 1983 as a lecturer in animal science. In 1995 he became Professor of Animal Science and in 1998 assumed the role of Deputy Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science. Professor Blair lectures in animal breeding and genetics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. His main research interests are: improving the application of animal breeding and genetic technologies to the improvement of production and service animals in New Zealand; understanding developmental programming to improve production animal performance and the study of the genetic causes of diseases. Professor Blair has supervised 72 postgraduate students, 23 being PhD graduates, and currently supervises 14 postgraduate students.
Professional
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) - 51本色 (1976)
- Doctor of Philosophy - 51本色 (1981)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Co-Supervisor, 51本色
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Quantitative animal breeding and genetics with an emphasis on the underlying metabolic and physiological processes that underpin genetic changes; the identification of epigenetic phenotypes in sheep and study of the likely mechanisms.
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Agricultural And Veterinary Sciences (070000):
Agriculture, Land and Farm Management (070100):
Animal Production (070200)
Keywords
Quantitative animal breeding and genetics
Identification of epigenetic phenotypes in sheep and study of the likely mechanisms.
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Science-based Extension for Lower North Island Sheep and Beef Farmers
Date Range: 2015 - 2017
Funding Body: Ministry for Primary Industries
Project Team:
- A/Pro Brennon Wood - Project Leader
- Dr Lydia Cranston - Team Member
- A/Pro Rene Corner-Thomas - Team Member
- Prof Hugh Blair - Team Member
- Doug Drysdale - Team Member (Doctoral Student)
- A/Pro Maggie Hartnett - Team Member
- Dr David Gray - Team Member
- Miss Roxanne Henwood - Team Member
- Emeritus Professor Peter Kemp - Team Member
- Prof Paul Kenyon - Team Member
- Prof Stephen Morris - Team Member
- A/Pro Alison Sewell - Team Member
Teaching and Supervision
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
2022
-
Addisu Addis
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Modelling the role of dairy-origin cattle for young beef production in New Zealand -
2014
-
Quentin Sciascia
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation during ruminant mammary development and function -
2014
-
Francisco Sales Zlatar
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Amino acids and skeletal muscle growth in lambs -
2014
-
Jose Solis Ramirez
-
Doctor of Philosophy
A Genetic Improvement Programme for New Zealand Dairy Goats -
2013
-
Natalie Pickering
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Genetics of flystrike, dagginess and associated traits in New Zealand dual-purpose sheep - view more...
Co-supervisor of:
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2023
-
Zully Ramos Alvez
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Reproductive consequences of genetic improvement in clean fleece production in ultrafine Merino ewes -
2023
-
Melissa Stephen
-
Doctor of Philosophy
The utility of age at puberty and anogenital distance as early-in-life predictors of an animal鈥檚 genetic merit for fertility during lactation in New Z -
2023
-
Andrea Grana
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring innovative ways, based on skin thickness and brown adipose tissue metabolism, for genetic improvement of new-born lamb survival -
2023
-
Inthujaa Sanjayaranj
-
Doctor of Philosophy
The gross composition, fatty acid composition, and processability of milk from cows milked once and twice a day under New Zealand grazing conditions -
2022
-
Swati Jivanji
-
Doctor of Philosophy
The genetic characterisation of coat colour and patterning traits in cattle - view more...