Scientist-bred Cow Produces Only Skim Milk

According to Science Daily, scientists in Auckland, New Zealand, have bred a skim-milk producing cow successfully. In addition to producing milk that is skim, the milk from this cow also has other benefits.

Plans are in the making for creating herds of this type of cow, now that research shows it can be done. ViaLactia, the biotech firm responsible for breeding the cow, says it will target health-conscious consumers with their marketing campaigns. In addition to the milk being naturally skim (low in fat content), the milk also has other benefits. It has a normal level of protein, differing from skim milk that is manufactured. Russel Snell, the chief scientist at ViaLactia told UPI (quoted on Science Daily) about the original cow "She produces a normal level of protein in her milk but substantially less fat, and the fat she does produce has much more unsaturated fat. She also produces milk with very high levels of omega3 oils."

Protein is essential for hair and nails. They are made up of mostly protein. All cells require protein. It is used to build tissue and also to repair it. Protein is used in making enzymes, hormones, and other essential body chemicals.

This milk could also be great for heart health because according to the NIH, "Replacing some carbohydrates with protein and unsaturated fat may enhance heart health benefits". The Omega3 Oils, usually found in fish and soy products, are also heart healthy. These oils are highly recommended by the AHA (American Heart Association).

The original cow was found by ViaLactia in 2001, but it was recently evidenced that she passed the skim-milk producing trait on to her calves. With this success, it is a marketable product as the calves can then also be bred to create a herd, which in turn could create more and more of these skim-milk producing cows in accordance with product demand.

Snell says "You have to generate daughters and then they have to carry a calf and deliver milk. The eureka moment was when we found her daughters produced milk like their mother."

News Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20070527-20541200-bc-newzealand-skimmilk.xml Science Daily - "Scientists Breed Skim-Milk Producing Cow"

Other Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/benefits-protein Web MD "The Benefits of Protein" Authored by Neil Osterweil
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/nov2005/nhlbi-15a.htm NIH News "Replacing Some Carbohydrates With Protein And Unsaturated Fat May Enhance Heart Health Benefits"
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632 AHA "Fish And Omega-3 Fatty Acids