Cognosco, the research arm of Anexa Veterinary Services, is the recipient of the prestigious award for “The most commendable paper published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal” for 2021, awarded by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.

The award-winning paper is entitled “Increasing conception rate by addition of a second prostaglandin injection in an Ovsynch and progesterone treatment programme for dairy cows not detected in oestrus for the start of the seasonal mating period”. The paper was co-authored by Scott McDougall, Ray Castle (from Elanco), Elizabeth Blythe, Yvette MacPherson and Ali Karkaba.

The paper reports the results of a study undertaken on herds belonging to Anexa Vets’ dairy clients in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The study demonstrated significant improvements (4%) in both conception rate to 1st service, and the 6-week in-calf rate of non-cycling cows when treated with a 2nd prostaglandin injection in addition to the standard non-cycling programme. The addition of the 2nd prostaglandin injection is a cost-effective way of improving reproductive performance of cows not detected in oestrus before the start of the seasonal mating period.

Scott McDougall commented “It is great that the Cognosco team has been recognised by our national and international peers for the quality, relevance and importance of the research work that Cognosco undertakes. It is also a recognition of the great support that we get from our farming colleagues which allows us to undertake important and relevant research work right here in the Waikato.”