Dairy research pays off

The milk composition of each of the four-million-odd cows making the NZ dairy herd was screened in 2000-2001 by the Fonterra company - ViaLactia. A single cow, Marge, was thoughtfully purchased for $300 when it was found that her milk was particularly low in saturated fat. The total fat content of Marge's milk was about 1%, which fits rather nicely in the FSANZ's (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) definition for skim milk that stipulates a maximum of 1.5% fat. (Full cream milk is required to have a minimum of 3.2% fat.)

A side benefit the low saturated fat content of Marge's milk is that butter made from her milk would be spreadable at domestic refrigerator temperatures (2-5°C) just like margarine.

The concept of a dairy herd producing skimmed milk and hence spreadable butter must be very exciting for Fonterra. The company has already found that some of Marge's daughters also produce low saturated fat milk and it is anticipated that a commercial herd may be in existence by 2011.

This could be a marketing coup of staggering proportions for Fonterra - it is possible that this milk will be able to have all market-grabbing catchphrases: New Zealand grown; organic; natural; health benefits; low-fat; calcium rich; high protein.

Interestingly, there will never be any need to acknowledge the science that went into finding Marge. In many consumers' minds the word science is diametrically opposed to 'natural food'. It conjures up images of mad, test-tube-wielding scientists intent on genetically manipulating the world's food supply at the behest of a huge multinational company in association with a power-hungry superpower.

The reality is very different. A company with foresight and commitment to research and development invests heavily in its own future and serendipitously uncovers a cow with a genetic mutation that happens to cause her milk to match the dietary desires of human consumers. If Marge had been undiscovered and left to end her time on a dairy farm, it is quite probable that she would have been considered a poor performer because her calves may not have thrived on her milk.

All of the above is basically to show the potential benefits of investment in research and development. The benefits accruing from the dairy herd based on the single matriarch, Marge, are not limited to Fonterra. The whole New Zealand economy will probably benefit, which explains why research is often subsidised by canny governments.

Now if only we can find a way to portray scientists more favourably in the media we may be able to encourage more students to consider research as a career option.