Bible Hill-Investigating a safer, more natural method to improving the productivity and efficiency of ruminant animals through the addition of essential oils to rumen diets is the goal of Graduate Research Training Initiative fellowship recipient Gillian Fraser’s research currently being conducted at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College under the supervision of Dr. Chaouki Benchaar, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Dr. Derek Anderson, Professor, Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

Awarded $30,000 in January of 2005, Gillian anticipates that her research will serve as a means to meet current and projected goals in the livestock industry as it will satisfy public scrutiny in the use of antibiotics in livestock feeds and reduce the incidence of antibiotic resistance.

Results thus far indicate that the essential oil plant extracts used in the investigation are effective in manipulating ruminal fermentation in dairy cattle by altering the microbial populations within the rumen. Among the various effects seen, these compounds have shown to reduce ruminal protein degradation and methane production. Such findings could have a positive impact not only on protein and energy utilization by dairy cows, but also on the environment by reducing nitrogen excretion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Gillian is currently a full-time graduate student in the department of Plant and Animal Sciences.

"The Graduate Research Training Initiative fellowship program is designed for young scholars interested in pursuing research and making positive contributions to the agricultural industry," said Gillian. "I felt I would be a good candidate for this scholarship plus it would give me the opportunity to work with some of the most prominent scientists in the field of ruminant nutrition and microbiology."

Gillian’s research has provided her with a new perception on research and science and to date her project has provided her with some cutting edge research making her project work challenging and exciting. Gillian plans on working within the agricultural industry once her studies are complete in an effort to positively contribute to the knowledge base of the industry.

The Graduate Research Training Initiative Scholarship Program operates under the Science and Innovation Chapter of the Canada-Nova Scotia Implementation Agreement for the Agricultural Policy Framework. The purpose of these fellowships is to provide support to high caliber students who are engaged in a research-based graduate program at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) and who are conducting research that will benefit the Nova Scotia ’s agriculture and agri-food industry. This initiative is intended to ensure a reliable supply of highly-qualified personnel to meet the future needs of Nova Scotia’s agri-food industry.

For more information on Gillian’s research or the GRTI scholarship program please contact: Stephanie Rogers at (902) 893-7247 or by e-mail at srogers@nsac.ca