Daisy the cow revolutionises agricultural science

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Daisy the cow revolutionises agricultural science

Ag Research’s Transgenics Team has earned a finalist spot in this year’s KuDos Hamilton Science Excellence Awards for their revolutionary research on Daisy the cow. The team is up for the NZ Agribusiness Centre Agricultural Science Award alongside Dairy NZ and LIC’s Feed Conversion Efficiency team and Wintec’s Research Department.

Ag Research’s Transgenics Team has gained worldwide attention for revolutionising livestock improvement. Their cow, Daisy, was the first cow in the world to produce hypoallergenic milk.

“One of our aims was to provide helpful expertise for the improvement of livestock traits to benefit New Zealand pastoral industries,” says team member Stefan Wagner. “Long term, our research opens up the exciting prospect of providing reduced-allergy milk for children that suffer from milk allergies.”

The second finalist in the running for the NZ Agribusiness Centre Agricultural Science Award is revolutionising agriculture through livestock feed efficiency. Dairy NZ and LIC’s Feed Conversion Efficiency team were chosen as finalists for their work on examining feed intake efficiency of cows. Through identifying a range of genetic markers they are able to ascertain the most efficient cows in a herd.

Wintec’s Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Facility team have also earned a spot as finalists. Their work involves developing sensors or filters to detect or remove unwanted materials from a substance. Chemical residues can be removed from wine, precious metals can be removed from geothermal flows or harmful contaminants can be removed from the environment.

The KuDos Awards recognise top science achievements in the Waikato region. With hundreds of PhD scientists, the Waikato is a hothouse for innovation in the science industry.

"Science is important, it is the feeder of change and new ideas," says Bob Simcock, the Chair of the Hamilton Science Awards Trust.

Now in its seventh year, the KuDos Awards creates a chance to recognise science achievements, while attendees enjoy a black tie dinner and an awards presentation.

Tickets are open to the general public and can be ordered at www.thekudos.org.nz. Comedian and TV presenter, Te Radar, is this year’s event Master of Ceremonies.

World first: Ag Research’s Transgenics Team have developed the first hypoallergenic cow, earning them a spot as finalists in this year’s KuDos Awards.

ENDS

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