DairyNZ Hamilton-based scientist Charlotte Reed has received the 2024 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium Emerging Scientist Award.
The symposium brought together 140 science and extension professionals from across Australasia.
Reed shared research on ‘What do milk urea concentrations tell us in temperate grazing systems?’ from a collaboration between DairyNZ, AgResearch, Lincoln University, and Fonterra under the Low Nitrogen Systems research programme.
The programme is investigating how combining mitigation options can help farmers reduce nitrogen losses while meeting viability goals
“I am really proud of the collaborative efforts of the research team to help farmers manage their nitrogen use efficiency and contribute to improving freshwater quality,” says Reed.
The work relates milk urea concentrations and the of surplus nitrogen in the herd’s diet.
Milk urea indicates the crude protein level and therefore the amount of nitrogen in a cow’s diet. If a cow’s diet is rich in protein, it might produce more urea, which is usually excreted in the urine and higher levels can be detected in the milk. When the diet lacks nitrogen, the cow’s body recycles the urea back into the rumen.
Reed specialises in cow physiology, reproduction and behaviour. She graduated from Victoria University in 2020 with a PhD in cell biology, focusing on how egg quality affects dairy cow reproduction. She also holds an Honours degree and a Bachelor of Science in physiology and animal science from Massey University.
Charlotte Reed receives her award from Grant Wills of the T.R. Ellett Agricultural Research Trust.
