Obituary Professor Malcolm Cooper

Press, 7 September 1989, Page 28

Obituary Professor Malcolm Cooper

NZPA London Professor Malcolm Cooper, the New Zealandborn specialist in animal husbandry and agricultural economics, was a giant among post-war agriculturalists, the “Daily Telegraph” said. In a tribute to Professor Cooper, who has died at the age of 79, the newspaper said that he pioneered many of the animal production techniques that are now well established in advanced farming practice. He was particularly keen on making the best use of grassland in cattle and sheep production. “Cooper introduced and developed intensive grazing systems for sheep, which not only gave better nutritional value but also allowed better control of gut parasites,” the newspaper said.

“He was foremost in the development of winter housing for sheep in Britain which led to more intensive use of pasture in summer.

“He was also the first to recognise the beef potential of friesian

cattle, which are now the major source of beef in Britain; “In 1950 friesians were dairy cattle; when Cooper made his suggestion it was greeted with derision.”

Professor Cooper was born in Havelock North in 1910 and grew up on his parents’ farm. He was educated at Napier Boys’ High School, Massey Agricultural College and Oxford University where he won three rugby blues.

In 1937 he joined the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and later went back to Massey to take a position as a lecturer in agricultural husbandry.

After the war he became professor of agriculture at London University’s Wye College in Kent. In 1954 he was appointed professor of agriculture and rural economy and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Newcastle.

The “Daily Telegraph” said that he built up the faculty from what had been a small traditional school to a large multi-

disciplinary establishment, embracing departments of agricultural economics, marketing, engineering, botany, zoology and biochemistry. His numerous other appointments included presidencies of the British Grassland Society and the British Society,of Animal Production. From 1972 to 1975 Professor Cooper worked as chief research co-ordina-tor for the Spanish National Institute for Agricultural Science, funded by the World Bank.

He was awarded aC.B.E. in 1956. His publications included studies of grass farming, farm management and beef production.

“Malcolm Cooper was a lanky larger-than-life figure with unruly hair,” the “Daily Telegraph” said. < “As a don he was forthright and not at all stuffy — an inspiration to young people moving through agricultural education.”

Professor Cooper is survived by his wife and three daughters.