"Super cows are on the way" read the front page of The Canberra Times on this day in 1988, after scientists at the Australian National University made a major breakthrough in their research on cow embryos and cloning.
Dr Ken Reed and his team at the biochemistry department in the science faculty had invented a method of choosing a calf's sex.
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This method, combined with a method of cloning cattle, would eventually enable one embryo to be able to create a "whole master herd of flawless super cows".
The embryo testing technique also meant embryos could be checked for genetic defects and viral and bacterial infections, which could transform the dairy industry, as farmers would be able to decide whether or not to proceed with female or male pregnancies.
The first batch of calves with predetermined sexes had been born on the property of a leading livestock production company, Riverina Artificial Breeders. The company offered the breakthrough embryo testing and sexing service on a commercial basis.
