Welcome to the fifth edition of the Stirling Connection, our newsletter that attempts to maintain better lines of communication between the company and both current and prospective shareholders.

In this edition we will bring you up-to-date on the latest developments for Stirling Products, answer the questions from our last opinion poll, share some important news events from around the globe and hopefully bring a smile to your face with "A little bit of Humour".  All of that, plus our feature article - "A Bit of Biotech with Your Steak Sir?".

What more could you ask for?  To all those people who responded to "Have Your Say" - thank you.  We managed to double our response rate from the last edition's poll.  However, we are going to have a rest from the opinion polls and introduce a new section in the next edition which gives you "Ten facts you probably did not know about Biotechnology" (unless of course there is an overwhelming response to keep the Opinion Poll going, but just like Australian Idol, you've got to vote!)

As always any comments gratefully received.  A special hello to my friend in the United States who has sent comments twice - keep them coming Bob!

So, as I usually say, enjoy this edition of the newsletter thrill seekers - the next edition depends on you!

Make Mine a Choc Mint Donkey Shake!

The longevity of the world's oldest woman, who unfortunately passed away in September aged 116, has been attributed to donkey milk.  Donkey milk does not need pasteurisation - it does not contain any bacteria.  It contains only 0.6 grams of fat compared to cow's milk with 3.7 grams of fat per 100g serve and has an average protein content of 1.72g characterised by low casein components.  The milk is also a regular vitamin pill that has 60 times the Vitamin C of cow's milk together with increased levels of Vitamins A, D and E and is rich in calcium and phosphorous.  Donkey milk is also rich in immunological factors that could assist immune compromised patients such as cancer patients under therapy.  Currently most donkey milk production goes into soaps, creams and beauty face masks.  The only side-effect is that it can make you a bit stubborn when consumed in high doses!

Product Development is a Beautiful Thing!...

A report on PR Newswire a couple of months ago published the results of a survey conducted in the US to rank the worst ten cities in terms of not cleaning up "doggie doo" from the streets.  According to the survey, Houston was the worst followed by Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix and Seattle in that order.  New York ranked as the tenth worst city; the best city was San Francisco.

When you read on further to try and find why anyone would want to spend their time counting doggie dumps, you discover that it actually had a good scientific basis, well a scientific basis at least. The study was funded by one of the leading animal health companies as part of a market study to investigate the spread of parasitic worms (round worms and hook worms).  Droppings from domestic pets are one of the main ways in which these infections are transmitted.  80% of people did not know that dog waste can pose a threat to human health.  91% of pet owners were not worried because they claim their dogs always go in their own back yard, and of those one third never clean up after their dogs in their back yard (don't go there for a BBQ this summer!)

The survey further found that 38% of owners never clean up after their dog leaves a calling card in public places (and those who regularly leave a business card on my front lawn - I know who you are!)

If it's Good Enough for Mum, it's Good Enough for Me!

A report from Hong Kong indicates the trendy thing to do now is take your dog out for a buffet meal.  The entrepreneurial company plans the buffet for 15 dogs and 25 people with as many as five waiters to serve the dinner.  It's all part of a mega million dollar department store for pets.  The first two floors cater for pet supplies, foods, bedding, clothing and other boutique items.  The two floors are separated by a loft used for grooming.  Above the café floor is a services centre including a photo studio, a training room and puppy sales area leading up to the roof top, equipped with a doggie pool, outdoor photo studio and picnic area.  The roof can also be used for those special doggie birthday parties and caters for up to 50 people and 25 dogs.

So popular is the idea that reservations for the buffet are essential in order not to be disappointed.  Dogs get the best possible gourmet foods, both hand-made on the premises and commercial.  Humans get an assortment of rice, noodles, cakes and drinks (they are obviously a much lower priority).

No GM Beef We're British!

Recent press from Europe has hinted at a crack in the once rock-solid attitudes of the European Union to GM crops and growth-enhanced meats.  An article in the New York Times indicated that the walls may be cracking (slightly!).  European food culture has developed over centuries and as such Europeans balk at the thought of anything "unnatural", either in their fields or in their mouths.  However, pressure is being put on the European Union.  The United States, Canada and Argentina have collectively brought lawsuits against the EU and at the World Trade Organisation, the Union stated that "all member states must open their doors to genetically engineered crops and prepare practical and legal regulations to ensure safety and health and ensure protection of the environment."

How far the apparent change in thinking will penetrate into the Union and with what results, is still to be seen but some observers claim that the EU is finding it increasingly difficult to protect EU farmers with farming subsidies and the long-term survival of food importation into the EU may well be in for a change.

About Town

ABIC 2006:  Stirling's participation in the 2006 Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference in August was well received.  We had considerable interest at the stand and some new opportunities to explore for potential partnerships and co-developments.

Boardroomradio.com:  CEO Calvin London has recently conducted an update interview with Boardroomradio.com.  The interview, recorded on 10 October, covers talks about the recent developments Stirling has made in terms of trials and registration processes.  Listen to the interview here.

AusBiotech Presentation:  CEO Calvin London presented as part of a seminar on Agricultural Biotechnology held at Technology Park in Perth.  The presentation covered aspects of development and management relating to a public animal biotechnology company and the potential opportunities for growth in Australia.

Stirling's ASX Releases in 50 Words or Less

August 7 - Stirling To Commence Initial Trial in Cattle:  The first trial of R-salbutamol in beef cattle will be performed in New South Wales.  The dose ranging study will determine the effect of R-salbutamol on performance characteristics at potential commercial doses.

August 28 -  R-salbutamol Adds Substantial Weight Gain to Lambs:  R-salbutamol increased the weight gain in Merino lambs by 4-fold and improved the feed efficiency by 70% as well as increasing the muscle area by 18%.  This study confirms that R-salbutamol has a potential commercial application in sheep.

August 31 - Stirling Obtains Investigational New Drug Assignment from FDA:  Stirling's application for an INAD (Investigational New Animal Drug Application) reference has been approved.  This reference allows us to transport samples across US borders and is the starting point for all regulatory development processes in the United States.

September 7 - Stirling To Conduct Confirmatory Dose Trials in Pigs:  The second dose study in pigs will be performed in Western Australia.  This study aims to repeat the results of an earlier US study and provide important local data for registration in Australia. R-salbutamol has been shown to have a dramatic effect on growth, feed conversion and carcass quality.

September 13 - Stirling Obtains Investigational New Drug Assignment for Heaves:  Stirling's application for an INAD (Investigational New Animal Drug Application) reference has been approved.  This reference allows us to transport samples across US borders and is the starting point for all regulatory development processes in the United States.

October 4 - Stirling To Commence Trials for Obese Dogs:  The first investigational trial for application of R-salbutamol in the treatment of obese dogs will commence in October.  This trial is in two parts - (i) to determine the tolerance of dogs to R-salbutamol and (ii) to determine effectiveness in reducing weight at a selected high and low dose.

October 10 - Stirling Products Granted First Patent Approval for Heaves in Horses:  Patent applications for heaves were originally filed in 2003 in the US and a number of other countries falling under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty).  The approval in South Africa simply represents the first approval and indicates that the applications are now nearing the end of their review period. 

Upcoming Events

Annual General Meeting:  The Annual General Meeting for Stirling Products will be held on November 22 at 11.00 am.  Interested parties are advised to watch the website for further details.

Ask a Stupid Question ....  A guy was in a pet food supermarket buying a large bag of Purina for his Labrador Retriever and was in line to check out.  A woman behind him asked if he had a dog.  On impulse he told her that no, he was starting the Purina Diet again, although he probably shouldn't because he'd ended up in the hospital last time.  He went on to describe how he had lost 20kgs before waking up in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of his orifices and IVs in both arms.

He told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry and that the food is nutritionally complete so he was going to try it again.

At this stage, practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with his story, particularly a tall guy behind her.  Horrified, she asked if he'd been poisoned by the dog food and was that why he was in the hospital.  The immediate reply was "No, in fact I had been sitting in the street licking my testicles and a car hit me."  The tall guy had to be carried out the door. (A special thanks to Kaz for sending this one through)

Wonderful Inventions and Ideas!

Brings Tears to Your Eyes .... A South African woman invented a tampon-like sheath that she said would reduce the country's escalating number of rapes.  Anti-violence leaders however were more sceptical about the invention.  The device which only costs about 15 cents, folds around the penis with a series of microscopic hooks that once engaged requires medical intervention to be removed.  The only drawback is that the woman has to wear the device constantly in order to be effective.

My Glasses Keep Slipping ....  An enthusiastic artist wary that his glasses kept slipping, had a fashion bar inserted through the bridge of his nose to which he fixed his glasses.  He thought he was on a winner here and approached an optometrist for financial support to develop his idea.  All was well until the optometrist pointed out it might be difficult to adjust prescription length given you have a hole in your face!

Hufu burger anyone? ....  An enterprising student in Europe wanted to spice up life for the growing numer of vegetarians with a culinary delight he called the Hufu burger.  Hufu was based on tofu but flavoured with what he thought was the taste of human flesh.  In an interview he said "his intended target audience was all those tofu eaters looking for a challenge plus any actual cannibals that might settle for an artificial substitute in order to avoid legal prosecution."  The recipe he claims comes from a recipe where cannibals described the flavour of human flesh.

Your Turn ....  A Spanish designer has almost completed the launch of his "Your Turn" washing machine.  Users such as husbands and wives initially register their fingerprints and "Your Turn" cannot be operated by the same person twice in a row.