Grant could save dairy industry millions

April 8, 2016

Grant could save dairy industry millions

Garth Lovatt's research could possibly be of great worth to the New Zealand dairy industry. Photo: Billie Cole

An Auckland man has received a grant that he believes could save the New Zealand dairy industry millions of dollars.

Former engineer Garth Lovatt will travel to Europe, North America, and Asia in April to research the idea of using ozone in a sustainable and profitable dairy model.

Ozone is made up of air and electricity, and could provide a range of benefits to dairy farmers, without negative impact.

The trip will allow Mr Lovatt to research ozone-related technologies for different uses, including as an oxidiser and antimicrobial on dairy farms which would replace antibiotics and pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cattle.

Mr Lovatt said his research could help boost the New Zealand dairy industry by $1 to 1.5 billion dollars annually, with ozone having many benefits in dairy farming.

One of these benefits, he said, was that ozone would prevent losses of dairy cows on farms due to infection.

“If we can correct that [the losses], which I think we can do by using ozone, I have got to go and talk to the manufacturers and researchers that are leading the charge.”

Mr Lovatt will meet individuals and organisations that are already using ozone as an oxidiser and antimicrobial to gain further knowledge on the topic.

The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) awarded the grant to Mr Lovatt, with AGMARDT general manager, Malcolm Nitschke, saying the project was original and revolutionary.

“AGMARDT seek innovative ideas, and we felt this project was considered very innovative, it hadn’t been done before. If it comes off, it could be truly transformational for the industry.”

Ozone, like antibiotics, kills bacteria but does not cause mutations or generate resistant types within the cows - unlike antibiotics.

Because of this and other factors, Mr Lovatt said the use of ozone on dairy farms would allow for sustainability as well as profitability.

The grant given to Mr Lovatt is gaining support for his research from DairyNZ, a company producing research and development for sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand.

DairyNZ’s industry education facilitator, Susan Stokes, said AGMARDT funding added value to the dairy industry by building leadership capability and sponsoring and enabling innovative research.

“This then attracts and retains talented people that will develop creative solutions for the New Zealand dairy industry.”

Mr Lovatt will leave to begin his research and travels at the end of the month.

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