US Next Step for Promising Dairy Scientist

By TIMMO, Wayne

A holiday job on a neighbour’s farm started Ryan Higgs on the path to a Fulbright scholarship studying dairying science in the US.

The 22-year-old was born and bred in the Waikato and will attend Cornell University, with the $120,000 cost of the degree paid for by the scholarship and college.

Ryan attended Hamilton Boys High School, then Massey University, graduating this year with a Bachelor of Applied Science with first class honours, in agriculture.

Ryan left for the US last month, where he will study for a Master of Science, majoring in animal science. He will focus on protein utilisation and how efficiently cows use feed.

“We will be analysing the nitrogen outputs of farms in New York state and looking at what the cows have been fed,” explains Ryan. “Then we’ll try and better balance the diet so cows make better use of their protein sources and as a result excrete less nitrogen to the environment.”

It was a stint on the farm that showed Ryan where his future lay.

“My grandparents were dairy farmers and my parents have a small block in Ohaupo, however it wasn’t until I took a holiday job on a neighbouring farm that I really became interested in dairying.

“I guess I never really saw dairying as a successful business opportunity or good career path until I worked for these people. They were, and still are, highly motivated and are very successful business people.

“Although I really enjoy the practical side of farming and enjoy being out doing it, I think by taking further studies more career opportunities will become available and I’ll be more useful to the industry.”

It’s more hard work than luck that got Ryan the Fulbright, says Dexcel dairy sector education facilitator Bill Barwood.

In 2003, Ryan was one of the 16 annual recipients of a Dairy Industry Undergraduate Scholarship. Paid for through an industry levy the scholarships, worth more than $200,000 a year, are awarded to students with an interest in dairying study toward an agriculture degree.

Ryan is a young scientist to watch, says Bill. “He was an outstanding recipient of our scholarship throughout his four years at Massey and he is poised to have an exceptional future in New Zealand dairy research.”

Ryan was unsure whether he would continue his studies to doctorate level or move straight into the dairy industry profession on completing his degree.

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(c) 2007 Waikato Times. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.