Massey University trials superior beef genetics in dairy farms with Beef+Lamb NZ
Massey University has begun trialling the use of superior beef genetics in its two dairy farms as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's dairy beef progeny test.
The award is given only to an outstanding individual or group worthy of the honour; it was last awarded in 2013.
Ravindran, from Massey’s Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, specialises in poultry nutrition, with emphasis on nutrient metabolism, feed enzymes, feed evaluation, amino acid availability, gut flora management and early nutrition in poultry.
Senior lecturer Dr Nicola Schreurs, who nominated professor Ravindran for the award, says his strong ties with the industry have allowed for rapid advances in technology.
“The progressiveness of the poultry industry is attributable to the work that Ravi has done.
“He is also widely acknowledged as a researcher who laid the foundations for much of the current understanding of feed enzyme technology. This is becoming more critical in the current context of sustainability – maximising the utilisation of available feed resources and lowering the environmental impact from animal production.”
The McMeekan Memorial Award honours Dr Harold McMeeken, a distinguished leader in animal production research and administration in NZ and worldwide.
He influenced NZ agricultural research and the development of Ruakura as a world renowned research centre.
