Qualifications

2002 Doctor of Philosophy, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Thesis: The genetic analysis of reproduction and production traits recorded for farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus).

1996 Master of Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Masters Thesis: Mate selection for joint control of response and inbreeding in closed pig breeding herds.

1988 Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons.II), University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Honours Thesis: Phenotypic and genetic parameters relating to scrotal circumference and serving capacity in beef bulls.

Awards

1986 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Prize for Livestock Production.

Main Research Interests

IGF-1, Consultancy.

Research Achievements

Industry validation of current and new traits for BREEDPLAN.
Advanced mixed model procedures for the Australian Pig Industry and evaluation of genetic components of sow lifetime reproductive efficiency.
Genetic evaluation for ostriches.
Quantifying meat and eating quality differences between major Australian pig genotypes.

Other Interests

Parameter estimation, genetic evaluation systems, breeding programs, inbreeding, mate selection and reproductive traits in cattle, pigs and ostriches, new traits and disease resistance.
Novel species.

Selected Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Rauw, W M ; Hermesch, S; Bunter, K L and Gomez-Raya, L (2009).  “The relationship of food intake during growth and food intake at maturity with lactation food intake in a mouse model.”  Livestock Science 123:249-254.

Bunter, K L; Bennet, C; Luxford, B G and Graser, H-U (2008).  “Sire breed comparisons for meat and eating quality traits in Australian pig populations”.  Animal 2 (8):1168-1177.

Cloete, S W P; Brand, Z; Bunter, K L and Malecki, I A (2008).  “Direct responses in breeding values to selection of ostriches for Liveweight and reproduction.”  Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48:1314-1319.

Cloete, S W P; Engelbrecht, A; Olivier, J J and Bunter, K L (2008).  “Deriving a preliminary breeding objective for commercial ostriches: an overview.”  Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48:1247-1256.

Cloete, S W P; Bunter, K L; Lambrechts, H; Brand, Z; Swart, D and Greyling, J P C (2006). "Variance components for live weight, body measurements and reproductive traits of pair-mated ostrich females." British Poultry Science 47(2): 147-158.

Bunter, K L, Hermesch, S, Luxford, B G, Graser, H-U and Crump, R E (2005). "Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) measured in juvenile pigs is genetically correlated with economically important performance traits." Aust J of Experimental Agriculture 45:783-792.

Kerr, C A, Bunter, K L, Seymour, R, Shen, B and Reverter A (2005). "The heritability of the expression of two stress-regulated gene fragments in pigs." Journal of Animal Science 83:1753-1765.

Bunter, K L and Cloete, S W P (2004). Genetic parameters for egg-, chick- and live-weight traits recorded in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus). Livest Prod Sci 91(1-2):9-22.

Lahti, K, Bunter, K L, Mercer, J and Clearkin, S (2001). Genetic relationships between insulin-like growth factor-1 and performance traits in two lines of purebred swine. Journal of Animal Science 79 (Suppl. 1) p.192.

Johnston, D J and Bunter, K L (1996). Days to calving in Angus cattle: Genetic and environmental effects, and covariances with other traits. Livestock Production Science 45: 13-22.

Tholen, E, Bunter, K L, Hermesch, S and Graser, H-U (1996). The genetic foundation of reproduction traits in Australian pig populations. I. Genetic parameters for weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval, stayability and other common reproduction and production traits. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47:1261-74.

Tholen, E, Bunter, K L, Hermesch, S and Graser, H-U (1996). The genetic foundation of reproduction traits in Australian pig populations. II. Relationships between weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval and stayability. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47: 1275-90.

Conference Proceedings

2009

Bunter, K L; Lewis, C R G and Luxford, B G (2009).  “Variation in sow health affects the information provided by lactation feed intake data.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.504-507.

Bunter, K L; Luxford, B G; Smits, R and Hermesch, S (2009).  “Associations between sow body composition, feed intake during lactation and early piglet growth.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.203-206.

Bunter, K L (2009),  “Managing consequences of increasing litter size: A genetic perspective.”  Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Conference of the Australian Pig Science Association (APSA). Cairns, Qld. 22 – 25 November 2009. pp.149-156.

Chen, Y; Zhang, Y; MacLeod, I; Kerr, R; Bunter, K L; Hayes, B; Tier, B; Graser, H-U; Luxford, B G; Goddard, M E and Moran, C (2009).  “QTL mapping for feed conversion efficiency on porcine chromosome 10 in an Australian commercial population.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.183-186.

Englebrecht, A; Cloete, S W P; Bunter, K L and van Wyk, J B (2009).  “Estimating heritability of subjectively assessed ostrich leather quality traits using threshold models.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.548-551.

Lewis, C R G and Bunter, K L (2009),  “Longevity to the second parity requires good attention to sow health in the first.”  Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Conference of the Australian Pig Science Association (APSA). Cairns, Qld. 22 – 25 November 2009. p.106

2007

Bunter, K L; Luxford, B G and Hermesch, S (2007).  “Associations between feed intake of growing gilts, lactating sows and other reproductive or performance traits.”  Proceedings of the 17th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Armidale, Australia. September 24-26. pp.57-60.

Bunter, K L, Tull, M and Luxford, B G (2007).  “Factors affecting feed intake during lactation for primiparous sows.”  Proceedings of the 11th  Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association.  Brisbane, Australia, November 25-28. p.121.

Hansson, A C and Bunter, K L (2007).  “Economic weights for disease resistance in Sydney rock oysters.”  Proceedings of the 17th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Armidale, Australia. September 24-26. pp.115-118.

2006

Bunter, K L and Bennett, C (2006). Genotype differences for meat and eating quality traits in Australian pig populations. In Proc. 8th World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. Belo Horizonte, Brazil. P. 06-15.

2005

Bunter, K L, Bennett, C and Luxford, B G (2005). Genetic correlations between juvenile unsulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and measures of sow reproductive performance are low. In Proc. of the 16th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., Noosa, Qld. 95.

Cloete, S W P, Bunter, K L and Brand, Z (2005). Genetic parameters for reproduction in ostriches. In Proc. of the 16th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., Noosa, Qld. 132.

Cloete, S W P, Bunter, K L and Brand, Z (2005). "Phenotypic performance of ostrich females selected for live weight or chick production relative to an unselected control line." In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Ratite Science Symposium & XII World Ostrich Congress. Madrid, 14-16th October 2005. (Ed. Carbajo, E., Madrid, Spain).

2004

Cloete, S W P, Bunter, K L, Brand, Z and Lambrechts, H (2004). (Co)variances for reproduction, egg weight and chick weight in ostriches. South African Journal of Animal Science 34(2):17-19. Presented at the Joint South African Society for Animal Science/Grassland Society of Southern Africa Congress.

2003

Bennett, C and Bunter, K L (2003). Heritability estimates for conformation traits in pigs. In Proc. of the 15th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., Melbourne, Vic. 351-354.

Tier, B and Bunter, K L (2003). Estimating genetic merit when geneotype data are incomplete. In Proc. of the 15th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., Melbourne, Vic. 214-217.

2002

Bunter, K L, Hermesch, S, Luxford, B G, Sutcliffe, E (2002). IGF-1concentration measured in juvenile pigs provides information for breeding programs: A mini review. In Proc. Seventh World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livestock. Prod. Vol. 30, 43-46. Montpellier, France.

Cloete, S W P, Bunter, K L, van Schalkwyk, S J (2002). Progress towards a scientific breeding strategy for Ostriches. In Proc. Seventh World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. Vol. 30. 561-568. Montpellier, France.

Cloete, S W P, van Schalkwyk, S J, Bunter, K L (2002). Progress in ostrich breeding research. In Proc. of the World Ostrich Congress. 26-29 September. Warsaw, Poland. Editor: J O Horbanczuk. 23-37.

Cloete, S W P, Bunter, K L, van Schalkwyk, S J, Brand, Z (2002). Genetic parameters for live weight and reproduction in ostrich breeding females. In Proc. of the First Joint Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa and the South African Society for Animal Science. Cristiana Aventura. 81.

Meyer, A, Cloete, S W P, van Schalkwyk, S J, Bunter, K L, Phister, B (2002). Genetic parameters for live weight and skin traits in ostriches. In Proc. of the First Joint Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa and the South African Society for Animal Science. Cristiana Aventura. 82.

Meyer, A, Cloete, S W P, van Schalkwyk, S J, Bunter, K L (2002). Genetic parameters for live weight and skin traits in ostriches. In Proc. of the World Ostrich Congress. 26-29 September. Warsaw, Poland. Editor: J O Horbanczuk. 236-237.

2001

Bunter, K L, Cloete, S W P and van Schalkwyk, S J and Graser, H-U (2001). Factors affecting reproductive performance in farmed ostriches. In Proc. 14th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 43-46.

Bunter, K L, Cloete, S W P and van Schalkwyk, S J and Graser, H-U (2001). Relationships between measures of reproductive perofrmance in farmed ostrich hens. In Proc. 14th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 47-50.

Hermesch, S, Bunter, K L and Graser, H-U (2001). Estimates of genetic correlations between IGF-1 recorded at 4 weeks of age and individual piglet weights at birth and 14 days, along with lifetime growth rate and backfat. In Proc. 14th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 227-230.

1999

Bunter, K L, Cloete, S W P and van Schalkwyk, S J (1999). Significant genetic parameters for egg, chick and juvenile weight traits in ostriches. In Proc. 13th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 13: 476-479.

1997

Bunter, K L (1997). Genetic relationships between age at first farrowing, sow stayability, and other sow reproductive traits. Proc. 12th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 12: 503-6.

Bunter, K L (1997). Genetic relationships between age at first farrowing and sow reproductive traits. (Accepted 'Manipulating Pig Production VI', Aust. Pig Sci. Assoc.).

Bunter, K L and Macbeth, G M (1997). Evaluating connectedness between pig herds using on-farm performance and central test data. Proc. 12th Conf. Assoc. Advmt. Anim. Breed. Genet., 12: 607-10.

Bunter, K L and Tholen, E (1997). Improving sow lifetime reproductive efficiency and stayability through selection. In Proc. 6th Bienn. Pig Industr. Sem., Ed S. Robinson, NSW Agriculture.

1995

Bunter, K L and Johnston, D J (1995). Genetic associations between days to calving records and weight traits in beef cattle. Proc. 11th Conf. Aust. Assoc. Anim. Breed. Genet., 11: 341-344.

Upton, W H and Bunter, K L (1995). Pelvic measurement as an aid to selection in beef cattle. Proc. 11th Conf. Aust. Assoc. Anim. Breed. Genet., 11: 615-619.

1992

Bunter, K L, Long, T L and Tier, B (1992). Application of mate selection to pig breeding programs. Proc. 4th Pig Industry Seminar, Wollongbar Agricultural Institute, pp. 23-26.

1991

Bunter, K L and Long, T (1991). Mate selection: maximising response while minimising inbreeding - is it possible? Proc. 3rd Conf. Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA), Albury, p. 246.

Other Publications

Bunter, K L and Graser, H-U (2000). Genetic Evaluation for Australian Ostriches. pp 1-98. RIRDC Publication No 00/153. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation.

Bunter, K L (1997). Advanced Mixed Model Procedures for the Australian Pig Industry and Evaluation of Genetic Components of Sow Lifetime Reproductive Efficiency. Final report for the RDC (Project UNE.19P).

Workshop Notes

Bunter, K L & Bennett, C (2004). Genotype comparisons for meat and eating quality traits. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L and Lansdowne, R (2004). Genetics of temperament: What do we know about the "back test?" Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bennett, C and Bunter, K L (2003). Heritability estimates for conformation traits in pigs. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L and Wuensch, U (2003). Juvenile IGF-I: an update. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L (2001). Use of Juvenile IGF-1 in Breeding Programs. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L, Tier, B and Johnston, D J (1997). Accuracy of EBV's. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L and Stewart, T S (1997). Surfing the Net. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L (1996). Guidelines for establishing genetic connections between herds. Australian Pork Newspaper, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1997.

Bunter, K L (1995). Connectedness in across-herd genetic evaluations. Pig Genetics Workshop notes, AGBU, UNE.

Bunter, K L, Long, T L and Tier, B (1992). Application of mate selection to pig breeding programs. Proc. 4th Pig Industry Seminar, Wollongbar Agricultural Institute, pp. 23-26.