A Queensland research centre known for studying cattle genetics is helping scientists accurately discover the sex of humpback whales. 

The University of Queensland's School of Veterinary Science has started a pilot program that involves collecting samples from whale blow holes. 

The mix of mucous, breath and water a whale spouts has given researchers enough DNA to determine their gender. 

PhD student Fletcher Mingramm has been collecting samples from whales near North Stradbroke Island and Noosa in south-east Queensland. 

The collection process has not been easy with Mr Mingramm using a six-metre carbon-fibre pole at a safe distance from small boats to catch the blow hole samples. 

Dr Russell Lyons from UQ's Vet School's Animal Genetics Laboratory (AGL) has teamed up with Mr Mingramm to assist with the biology aspects of the project. 

A six-metre carbon-fibre pole helps researchers collect information from the blow hole of whales. (  Supplied: University of Queensland )

"The animal genetics lab does a lot of work for the livestock industry but research is an important component and we're here to support the wider research community," Dr Lyons said. 

"We have a core group of molecular biologists and scientists and geneticists who use the skills in other areas." 

He said the unique pilot project had made for interesting research compared to his usual study of cattle. 

"We're looking to be able to accurately sex humpback whales based on how they can get a sample ... whether that's with skin or DNA from the blowhole," he said. 

Mr Mingramm has been working closely with the AGL to find further genetic information that could help measure the health and reproductive qualities of Australian humpback whales. 

"The study is about providing baseline fundamental information.  Currently we don't have good measures for the health or reproductive qualities of Australian humpback whales," he said. 

"I'm on track to acquire 250 tissue samples and 100 to 120 blow samples by the end of next year." 

From the paddock to the sea

The School of Veterinary Sciences not only provides genetic research for the livestock industries but has previously also helped koala genetics. 

"It's different to cattle work but that's the great thing about what we do ... we have diversity in projects," Dr Lyons said. 

"Using information like genomics to accurately select animals for production systems, be it for fertility in north Australia or fatty acid composition for meat traits, is important. 

A research facility that studies cattle genetics is helping scientists determine the sex of humpback whales. (  612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe )

"Genetics with cattle really is about selecting and accelerating that genetics and improvement naturally." 

AGL has recently hit the milestone of 500,000 — predominantly hair — cattle samples. 

The 500,000th sample was a Wagyu animal received from an Australian Wagyu Association member on February 11. 

The samples have been received over 23 years of testing, with approximately 74,000 cattle samples in 2015 alone. 

Dr Lyons said the ability to use the samples to find narrow pieces of DNA needed to determine certain traits in cattle had improved. 

"For some traits we have that information but to make it come together you have to have a really good database of the genome and the phenotypes," he said. 

"Getting that information from all the cattle breeders has been a big effort on behalf of all the breeders and researchers." 

UQ takes samples under Commonwealth and state permits providing duplicate samples for the Australian Government genetic database.