AgResearch and Ancare Scientific collaboration

AgResearch and Ancare Scientific announce collaboration

16 June, 2008

Ancare Scientific and AgResearch have combined to fund the further development of a technology that has the potential to increase milk production in dairy cattle.

The technology will be trialled over the next 12 months in a project costing in excess of $500,000. This deal is another example of the increasing collaboration between these two key players at the forefront of ‘The Science of Farming’ in New Zealand, which was also the theme of this year’s National Fieldays, held last week at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.

“I think this is a tremendously exciting deal because if this technology works in a practical, farming sense then it could become a significant technology in global dairying,” says AgResearch General Manager, Applied Biotechnologies Dr Jimmy Suttie.

With rising on farm costs of feed and fertiliser, Ancare sees a ready market for new products that improve the effectiveness of dairy farming.

“It is about using science to make the job easier and more effective for farmers. For example, the extension of our sheep bolus technology into the cattle market will simplify parasite control in a wide range of situations,” says Director of Ancare Scientific, Colin Harvey.

“The investment with AgResearch in this project fits well with a number of other technologies we are developing for the dairy industry,” he says.

The project evolved from earlier research into the control of wool growth in Romney sheep that was supported by Meat & Wool New Zealand and researchers from Massey University.

Ancare Scientific was formed when Merial purchased the commercial operations of Ancare. The company follows in Ancare’s footsteps in developing innovative animal health technologies which will now be marketed by Merial in New Zealand and overseas.

ENDS

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