Chinese visitors see dairy research in action at Lincoln

Asia’s largest dairy company brought its consumer families to visit Lincoln recently to see some of the ongoing research being carried out at the university.

The visitors were consumers of the Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd (Yili) and had gained opportunities to visit New Zealand and see first-hand how Yili’s world-class dairy products are made.

Lincoln University and Yili collaborate on research activities across all areas of the dairy process, from development to final products.

Yili Innovation Centre Oceania R&D Manager Dr Philip Wescombe said it was a great opportunity to showcase the ongoing work between Yili and the university.

“Yili is devoted to integrating global innovative resources to produce world-class products. It’s important for consumers to know about the science and technology involved in developing and manufacturing new dairy products.

“Many aren’t aware of the work that goes into developing healthy, safe and nutritious products.”

The consumer group were shown around campus and the university’s food labs, then heard from several Lincoln University and Yili experts about the finer points of milk production and even had a chance to taste test different types of milk.

The event concluded with a visit to the Lincoln-owned Ashley Dene Research and Development Station, where the group saw cows being milked and were able to have a go at hand-milking, using udder simulators that had been set up in a room overlooking the milking shed.

Dr Wescombe said it was a very successful visit.

“Yili has international innovation centres in both New Zealand and the Netherlands, which work closely with research institutions that have expertise in dairy production, food safety and processing.

“It made a lot of sense to partner with Lincoln University, as Lincoln’s research excellence complements Yili’s industrial and market expertise,” said Dr Wescombe.

Source: Lincoln University

Author: Bob Edlin

Editor of AgScience Magazine and Editor of the AgScience Blog

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