Gas provides an opportunity for young innovators

Taking the gas out of the gas, an opportunity for young innovators

Federated Farmers is praising AgResearch for partnering with the United States Department of Energy's joint genome institute (JGI), to sequence the DNA of microbes found in the rumen or forestomach of farm animals. JGIs skill in this area is being undertaken at no charge to AgResearch.

“Ultimately this is about taking the gas out of the gas,” said Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.

“By identifying what organisms and enzymes are involved in an animal’s digestive process, there’s real potential to see less waste but more productivity from farm animals.

“AgResearch deserves major credit for working with JGI to undertake this research at no charge. That’s a big feather in New Zealand’s cap and underscores the quality of agricultural research being undertaken in New Zealand.

“A big side benefit of this research is the potential to increase the speed of digestive processes in farm animal. This means faster meat and milk production that would be of tremendous benefit to the New Zealand economy.

“Efficiency is a hallmark of our agricultural system and this reflects the strong partnership between farmers and scientists.

“That’s why the post-graduate internships announced last week by the Government are so important going forward.

“Administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FoRST), $30,000 will be made available to support a post-graduate salary for up to nine months. That’s a great start to build upon and is a positive means to keep talented scientists here in New Zealand.

“Once the DNA of microbes in the forestomach of livestock is sequenced, it’s literally the key to unlocking world leading agricultural technology and intellectual property.

“It’s the kind of groundbreaking research, which when combined with internships, provides an incentive and means for young scientists to make a global contribution here in New Zealand.

“Building upon this is what we are talking about when we say ‘back agriculture’. Who knows, this combination may yet produce tomorrow’s Glaxo, but one that could finally stay here in New Zealand,” Mr Nicolson concluded.

ENDS

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