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The Smart Ideas projects include the development of a world-first, high-intensity focused ultrasound method for painless calf disbudding, and the creation of new technologies to rapidly and accurately diagnose bovine mastitis. The funding recognises both as innovative research ideas with the potential to deliver significant benefits to Aotearoa New Zealand.

College of Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ray Geor commends the Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa �۶���Ƶ researchers for their dedication to their fields, commitment to meaningful partnerships and determination to create a real impact.

“Congratulations to these exceptional researchers whose work is tackling some of the most pressing challenges currently facing the agricultural sector. These projects reflect the forward-thinking, high-impact research �۶���Ƶis known for. By combining scientific expertise with strong industry partnerships, our researchers are driving real-world solutions to deliver lasting benefits for New Zealand’s primary industries and communities.”

Focused ultrasound for painless calf disbudding

Massey’s Dr Preet Singh will lead a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary team, including experts in veterinary pain management, horn disbudding, ultrasonic focusing systems, animal welfare and farming representatives, in collaboration with the New Zealand Skills and Education Group. Together, they aim to pioneer a new approach to improve the welfare of dairy calves undergoing horn bud removal.

Disbudding is a common practice in the dairy industry, preventing animals from injuring others, themselves or farm staff and avoiding entanglement in equipment. The current method often provides insufficient pain relief during healing and can result in long-term complications.

In a world-first, Dr Singh’s team will develop a technique using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves to target and destroy the cells responsible for horn growth. A similar technique has already proven successful in non-surgical cancer treatments for humans.

“The device developed for this project will focus on a small area, automatically scanning to complete the procedure quickly and effectively without affecting surrounding cells. This approach will provide a humane and highly effective alternative to the traditional method,” Dr Singh says.

By precisely targeting horn-producing cells and using lower temperatures, the method will reduce pain and minimise damage to surrounding tissue. While the initial application is focused on improving disbudding practices, the technology has the potential for broader use in veterinary medicine and even tumour treatment in animals and humans.

Dr Singh says he hopes the project will improve animal welfare and reinforce New Zealand’s position as a global leader in sustainable and ethical dairy practices.

“Around two million calves are disbudded in New Zealand each year. By improving a practice within such a vital industry, we can not only advance animal welfare but also strengthen our international reputation for innovation, sustainability and care in agriculture.”

New technologies enabling a sensitive multiplex rapid antigen test for bovine mastitis

Acute bovine mastitis affects one million animals annually in New Zealand. Current diagnostic tests to identify the root cause can take between 24 and 48 hours, often leading to antibiotic overuse and financial losses due to delays in treatment and ineffective screening.

A team of global experts will work together to develop a rapid, highly sensitive and specific on-farm test for diagnosing mastitis. The project will be led by Professor in Microbiology Jasna Rakonjac, an authority in phage display, a powerful combinatorial technology used to identify proteins, such as antibodies, that bind to specific targets. The project is supported by New Zealand companies Koru Biotech Solutions and Anexa.

Together, they are combining microbiological, immunological and biotechnology expertise to create a test that delivers results within 30 minutes and distinguishes between the common bacterial groups causing bovine mastitis. This will allow farmers and veterinarians to make fast, accurate treatment decisions right in the milking shed, using a simple, multi-pathogen test.

Professor Rakonjac says that improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis could save the sector $33 million annually in antibiotic use alone.

“The overall cost of mastitis is around $150 per animal, so the numbers add up quickly. With faster, targeted treatment, we can reduce disease spread, improve recovery and lower antibiotic use, helping profitability while also meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable dairy practices.”

The new equipment-free technology is designed to be easy to use and affordable, with potential for wider applications across veterinary, medical and environmental fields. Its use could significantly reduce the amount of antibiotics entering the environment and help combat the growing global issue of antibiotic resistance.