EXCERPT

Who owns the genome of a cow? That is, the complete genetic material encoded in the DNA of the animal.

That's the basis of hearing underway this week before the Federal Court in Melbourne.

In 2010, the Australian Patent Office granted a patent titled 'Compositions, methods and systems for inferring bovine traits', to commodities giant Cargill USA and Branhaven LLC.

When Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) found out about the patent early last year it launched an appeal along with Dairy Australia.