Scientists capture eau de bovine

13 August 1998

Scientists capture eau de bovine

SCIENTISTS at the Institute for Arable Crops Research have isolated the “essence of cow” – a chemical produced by some cows to discourage flies.

They hope to synthesise the substance as an environmentally friendly way of protecting cows from flies.

The scientists discovered the chemical by drawing air from around a cow using a pump. The air was passed through absorbent polymers, which soaked up the volatile materials.

These were then extracted and tested using flies to whose antennae miniature electrodes had been attached.

The compound was then tested on cows and led to a “dramatic decrease in fly levels”.

• The Times 13/08/98 page 6
• The Daily Telegraph 13/08/98 page 2 (News Bulletin)