Dr Nick Sneddon staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516477

Dr Nick Sneddon BSc, PGDipSc, PhD, AFHEA

Senior Lecturer in Animal Breeding & Genetics

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Agriculture and Environment

I Completed My PhD in animal breeding investigating the genetic and economic value of lactose to the New Zealand dairy industry in 2016.

I spent 5 years working in Industry at Fonterra as a Senior Business Analyst analysing data from Soil to Factory gate, then as a Senior Research Scientist running a genomics lab. My research interests cover all aspects of animal breeding and genetics but more recently have been in genome mining.

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 83774
    Location: 3.65, AgHort A
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science - Massey University (2010)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Science - Massey University (2016)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2017)

Fellowships and Memberships

  • Member, Higher Education Academy (Associate Member/Fellow) (2022)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Dairy Cattle Breeding

Genetics

Dairy Systems

MIlk Processing

Systems Modelling

Bioinformatics

Genomic Analysis

Bacterial Genomics

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship, Future Food Systems

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Agricultural And Veterinary Sciences (070000): Animal Breeding (070201): Animal Production (070200):
Biological Sciences (060000): Genetics (060400): Genomics (060408):
Mathematical Sciences (010000):
Microbial Genetics (060503): Microbiology (060500): Quantitative Genetics (incl. Disease and Trait Mapping Genetics) (060412)

Keywords

Dairy cattle

Dairy systems

Animal breeding

Dairy Processing

Lactose

Genomics

Bioinformatics

Research Outputs

Journal

Corner-Thomas, R., Handcock, R., & Sneddon, N. (2024). A snapshot of research in animal production in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 67(3), 283-284
[Journal article]Authored by: Corner-Thomas, R., Sneddon, N.
Bosher, T., Della Rosa, MM., Khan, MA., Sneddon, N., Donaghy, D., & Jonker, A. (2024). Methane emissions intensity in grazing dairy cows fed graded levels of concentrate pellets. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 67(3), 296-302
[Journal article]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Sneddon, N.Edited by: Sneddon, N.
Magro, S., Sneddon, NW., Costa, A., Chiarin, E., Penasa, M., & De Marchi, M. (2024). Does the age of milk affect its mid-infrared spectrum and predictions?. Food Chemistry. 441
[Journal article]Authored by: Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Handcock, RC., Corner-Thomas, RA., Kenyon, PR., Burnham, DL., Garrick, DJ., . . . Morris, ST. (2024). Wool shedding and lamb fleece weights: first-cross and backcross Wiltshire–Romney sheep scored at lamb, hogget and two-tooth ages. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 67(3), 394-401
[Journal article]Authored by: Blair, H., Burnham, D., Corner-Thomas, R., Kenyon, P., Littlejohn, M., Morris, S., Sneddon, N.
Cranston, LM., Ramsay, BA., Schoorl, JAAJ., Stayton, KM., Greaves, A., Shanks, RD., . . . Hickson, RE. (2023). Effects of yard weaning and human contact compared to paddock weaning on the liveweight gain and stress reactivity of beef cattle. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Cranston, L., Morris, S., Sneddon, N.
Costa, A., Sneddon, NW., Goi, A., Visentin, G., Mammi, LME., Savarino, EV., . . . De Marchi, M. (2023). Invited review: Bovine colostrum, a promising ingredient for humans and animals—Properties, processing technologies, and uses. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(8), 5197-5217
[Journal article]Authored by: Sneddon, N.
Littlejohn, MD., Sneddon, N., Dittmer, K., Keehan, M., Stephen, M., Drögemüller, M., . . . Garrick, D. (2023). A frameshift-deletion mutation in Reelin causes cerebellar hypoplasia in White Swiss Shepherd dogs. Animal Genetics. 54(5), 632-636
[Journal article]Authored by: Dittmer, K., Littlejohn, M., Sneddon, N.
Somerton, B., Iosif, M., Sneddon, N., & Lindsay, D. (2021). Comparison of the sensitivity of the Gene-Up® and ANSR Listeria Right Now<sup>TM</sup> assays and the influence of swab type when detecting Listeria monocytogenes in the environment with a dairy context. International Dairy Journal. 117
[Journal article]Authored by: Sneddon, N.
Lopez-Villalobos, N., Spelman, RJ., Melis, J., Davis, SR., Berry, SD., Lehnert, K., . . . Snell, RG. (2020). Genetic correlations of milk fatty acid contents predicted from milk mid-infrared spectra in New Zealand dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 103(8), 7238-7248
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Garrick, DJ., Rocha, JF., & Donaghy, DJ. (2019). Regression of traits-other-than-production phenotypes for cows milked once a day on estimated breeding values obtained from cows milked twice a day. New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production. 79, 140-143 Retrieved from https://www.nzsap.org/proceedings/regression-traits-other-production-phenotypes-cows-milked-once-day-estimated-breeding
[Journal article]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Costa, A., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, NW., Shalloo, L., Franzoi, M., De Marchi, M., . . . Penasa, M. (2019). Invited review: Milk lactose—Current status and future challenges in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 102(7), 5883-5898
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Lopez-Villalobos, N., Correa-Luna, M., Burke, JL., Sneddon, NW., Schutz, MM., Donaghy, DJ., . . . Kemp, PD. (2018). Genetic parameters for milk urea concentration and milk traits in New Zealand grazing dairy cattle. New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production. 78, 56-61 Retrieved from https://www.nzsap.org/proceedings/genetic-parameters-milk-urea-concentration-and-milk-traits-new-zealand-grazing-dairy
[Journal article]Authored by: Burke, J., Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Lopez-Villalobos, N., Amorre, J., Rocha, J., Sneddon, N., Burke, J., & Donaghy, DJ. (2017). OAD milking - dairy 1 massey university. Jersey focus. (September 2017), 13-15
[Journal article]Authored by: Burke, J., Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Rocha, JF., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Burke, JL., Sneddon, NW., & Donaghy, DJ. (2018). Factors that influence the survival of dairy cows milked once a day. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 61(1), 42-56
[Journal article]Authored by: Burke, J., Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Hendricks, S., Donaghy, D., Matthew, C., Bretherton, M., Sneddon, N., Cosgrove, G., . . . Hedley, M. (2016). Dry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands. 78, 149-156
[Journal article]Authored by: Christensen, C., Donaghy, D., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., Davis, SR., Geary, U., Garrick, DJ., . . . Shalloo, L. (2016). Dairy product production and lactose demand in New Zealand and Ireland under different simulated milk product–processing portfolios. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research. 55(2), 126-135
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Lembeye, F., López-Villalobos, N., Burke, JL., Davis, SR., Richardson, J., Sneddon, NW., . . . Donaghy, DJ. (2016). Comparative performance in Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows milked once daily under a pasture-based system in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 59(4), 351-362
[Journal article]Authored by: Burke, J., Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., Garrick, DJ., . . . Geary, U. (2016). Responses in lactose yield, lactose percentage and protein-to-protein-plus-lactose ratio from index selection in New Zealand dairy cattle. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 59(1), 90-105
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., & Garrick, DJ. (2016). Estimates of genetic and crossbreeding parameters for milk components and potential yield of dairy products from New Zealand dairy cattle. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 59(1), 79-89
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., Davis, SR., Garrick, DJ., . . . Geary, U. (2015). Predicted dairy product yields and deficits of lactose for manufacturing under differing selection and manufacturing scenarios in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 58(4), 432-440
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., & Shalloo, L. (2015). Genetic parameters for milk components including lactose from test day records in the New Zealand dairy herd. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 58(2), 97-107
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Soo, M., Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., & Worth, AJ. (2015). Genetic evaluation of the total hip score of four populous breeds of dog, as recorded by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia Scheme (1991–2011). New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 63(2), 79-85
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N., Worth, A.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., & Shalloo, L. (2014). Genetic parameters for milk components including lactose from test day records in the New Zealand dairy herd. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research.
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Soo, M., Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., & Worth, AJ. (2014). Genetic evaluation of the total hip score of four populous breeds of dog, as recorded by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia Scheme (1991–2011). New Zealand Veterinary Journal.
[Journal article]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N., Worth, A.

Book

Morris, S., & Martin, N. (2023). Beef Cattle Production. In N. Martin, & N. Sneddon (Eds.) Livestock Production in New Zealand. (pp. 57 - 84). : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Martin, N., Morris, S.Edited by: Martin, N., Sneddon, N.
Chidgey, K., & Morel, P. (2023). Pig Production. In N. Sneddon, & N. Martin (Eds.) Livestock Production in New Zealand. : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Chidgey, K., Morel, P.Edited by: Martin, N., Sneddon, N.
Cogger, N., Sheard, H., & Isaksen, K. (2023). Working farm dogs. In N. Martin, & N. Sneddon (Eds.) Livestock Production in New Zealand. (pp. 293 - 311). : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Cogger, N., Isaksen, K.Contributed to by: Isaksen, K.Edited by: Martin, N., Sneddon, N.

Conference

Sneddon, N., Donaghy, D., & Lopez-Villalobos, N. (2020). Genetic parameters, breed and heterosis effects for conformation scores in cows milked once a day. New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production. Vol. 80 (pp. 51 - 54). : New Zealand Society of Animal Science and Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Flint, S., Flossdorf, D., Palmer, J., Lindsay, D., Jameson, P., Sneddon, N., . . . Maclean, B. (2018, November). Sporeforming bacterial populations in New Zealand Dairy Feeds. Presented at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference. Dunedin.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Flint, S., Sneddon, N.
Van Der Spek, P., Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Donaghy, DJ., Laven, RA., Mueller, KR., . . . Doohan, H. (2017). Comparison of health and reproductive treatments over three seasons for once-a-day and twice-a-day milking herds. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2017. Vol. 77 (pp. 211 - 215). : Annual Conference of the New Zealand Society for Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Laven, R., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Mueller, K., Sneddon, N.
Van Der Spek, P., Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Donaghy, DJ., Laven, RA., Mueller, KR., . . . Doohan, H. (2017). Comparison of health and reproductive treatments over three seasons for once-a-day and twice-a-day milking herds.. , Annual Conference of the New Zealand Society for Animal Production 2017
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Laven, R., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Mueller, K., Sneddon, N.
Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, NW., & Donaghy, DJ. (2017). Random regression curves for body condition score and live weight from cows in two different dairy systems over three seasons. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 77 (pp. 72 - 76). : New Zealand society of animal production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Donaghy, D., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Back, PJ., Hickson, RE., Sneddon, NW., Coleman, LW., & Laven, RA. (2017). Brief communication: Managing liveweight gain of holstein-friesian, jersy and holstein-friesian-jersey crossbred heifer calves. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production (Inc). Vol. 77 (pp. 69 - 71). : New Zealand Society of Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Back, P., Laven, R., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., & Garrick, DJ. (2016). Supply curves for yields of dairy products from first-lactation Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Holstein Friesian-Jersey crossbred cows accounting for seasonality of milk composition and production. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 139 - 143).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Back, PJ., Hickson, RE., Lilly, VM., Coleman, LW., Sneddon, NW., & Laven, RA. (2016). Grazing behaviour and species selection of heifer calves fed different forages. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 126 - 131). : New Zealand Society of Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Back, P., Laven, R., Sneddon, N.
Back, PJ., Hickson, RE., van Bouwel, K., de Cock, H., Verdurmen, J., Sneddon, NW., . . . Laven, RA. (2016). Do different grazing strategies affect pre-weaning calf growth rates?. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 119 - 121). : New Zealand Society for Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Back, P., Laven, R., Sneddon, N.
Back, PJ., Hickson, RE., van Bouwel, K., de Cock, H., Verdurman, J., Sneddon, NW., . . . Laven, RA. (2016). Brief communication: Do different grazing strategies affect pre-weaning calf growth rates?. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 119 - 121). : Animal Production 2016
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Back, P., Laven, R., Sneddon, N.
Back, PJ., Hickson, RE., Lilly, VM., Coleman, LW., Sneddon, NW., & Laven, RA. (2016). Grazing behaviour and species selection of heifer calves fed different forages. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 126 - 131). : Animal Production 2016
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Back, P., Laven, R., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Davis, SR., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., & Garrick, DJ. (2016). Supply curves for yields of dairy products from first-lactation Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Holstein Friesian-Jersey crossbred cows accounting for seasonality of milk composition and production. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 76 (pp. 139 - 143). : Animal Production 2016
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., & Garrick, DJ. (2015). Estimation of crossbreeding effects on yields of dairy products and value of milk processed in different product portfolios. In S. Peterson (Ed.) Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 75 (pp. 48 - 53). : 75th New Zealand Society of Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., Garrick, DJ., & Geary, U. (2014). Prediction of industry production of milk components, yields of dairy products and lactose deficit under the current breeding objective of New Zealand dairy cattle. Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. : 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., Shalloo, L., Garrick, DJ., & Geary, U. (2014). Supply and demand for lactose in the New Zealand dairy industry. In S. Peterson (Ed.) Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 74 (pp. 215 - 219). Palmerston North, New Zealand: New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2014
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, RE., & Shalloo, L. (2013). Review of milk payment systems to identify the component value of lactose. In R. Sumner (Ed.) Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 73 (pp. 33 - 36). : New Zealand Society of Animal Production
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Lopez-Villalobos, N., Baudracco, J., Sneddon, NW., MacDonald, KA., Davis, SR., Spelman, RJ., . . . Holmes, CW. (2012). Genetic parameters for milk production traits, live weight, change in body condition score and predicted methane production in New Zealand dairy cattle. In MA. Friend, & GL. Krebs (Eds.) The Proceedings of the 29th Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production. Vol. 29 (pp. 39 - 39). Australia: Second Joint 72nd New Zealand Society of Animal Production and 29th Biennial Australian Society of Animal Production Conference
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., Hickson, R., & Shalloo, L. (2012). Genetic parameters for lactose and its relationship with concentrations and ratios of other milk components. In R. Sumner (Ed.) Proceedings of the 72nd New Zealand Society of Animal Production Conference. Vol. 72 (pp. 76 - 80). New Zealand: Second Joint 72nd New Zealand Society of Animal Production and 29th Biennial Australian Society of Animal Production Conference
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.
Sneddon, NW., Lopez-Villalobos, N., & Baudracco, J.Efficiency, cheese yield and carbon emissions of Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows: An overview. In R. Sumner (Ed.) Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. Vol. 71 (pp. 214 - 218). Hamilton, New Zealand
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Lopez-Villalobos, N., Sneddon, N.

Consultancy and Languages

Languages

  • English
    Last used: English
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent

Teaching and Supervision

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 1 0
Co-supervisor 3 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Mui Nguyen - Doctor of Philosophy
    Studying root dynamics of simple and diverse pastures under grazing by sheep and dairy cows

Co-supervisor of:

  • Upulika Jayaneththi - Doctor of Philosophy
    Understanding the microbial functional diversity of regenerative pastoral systems
  • Mayaba Miyanda - Doctor of Philosophy
    Greenhouse gases profile of sheep under grazing diverse swards
  • Varthani Susruthan - Doctor of Philosophy
    Dairy cow performance and pasture characteristics under conventional and regenerative management systems