Overview
Background
Dr. Luis Prada e Silva is an Associate Professor at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), University of Queensland, specialising in ruminant nutrition. His research focuses on unravelling the mechanisms behind feed efficiency in tropical cattle and improving maternal nutrition, attracting strong support from industry, private funders, and the scientific community. With experience across three of the world's major beef-producing countries, Brazil, Australia, and the United States, Luis brings a global perspective to his work. He previously held a position at the University of São Paulo, completed a sabbatical at AgriBio, Melbourne, and earned his PhD at Michigan State University, where he studied the nutritional and physiological modulation of ruminant development. Among his achievements are leading multiple research projects aimed at improving cattle production efficiency, publishing 59 peer-reviewed scientific articles and several book chapters, and supervising 8 PhD students and 18 Master's students. His research integrates cattle nutrition, physiological mechanisms, and genomic tools, contributing significantly to advancements in the field.
Availability
- Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Michigan State University
Research interests
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Ruminant Nutrition
cattle production, forage management, feedlot nutrition, forage conservation, rumen microbiology, forage genomics, rumen efficiency
Works
Search Professor Luis Prada e Silva’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Effects of prepartum supplementation and yeast fermentation products on the progesterone-modulated transfer of passive immunity in Bos indicus cows
Coimbra, Latino G.S., Cowley, Fran C., Fordyce, Geoffry and Silva, Luis F.P. (2026). Effects of prepartum supplementation and yeast fermentation products on the progesterone-modulated transfer of passive immunity in Bos indicus cows. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition jpn.70065. doi: 10.1111/jpn.70065
2026
Journal Article
Effects of lactic acid bacteria and yeast on rumen function and microbiota: an in vitro study optimising direct-fed microbials formulations
Ardani, L. R., Zain, M., Ridwan, R., Fassah, D. M., Sarwono, K. A., Silva, L. F. P. and Marlida, Y. (2026). Effects of lactic acid bacteria and yeast on rumen function and microbiota: an in vitro study optimising direct-fed microbials formulations. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 35 (1) e8, 1-11. doi: 10.22358/jafs/207984/2026
2026
Conference Publication
Bluetooth ear tags can help track supplement intake in grazing cattle
Freitas-Kirk, Tamara, Eyre, Karen, McCosker, Kieren and Prada e Silva, Luis (2026). Bluetooth ear tags can help track supplement intake in grazing cattle. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Conference Publication
Pre-calving nutrition improves reproductive efficiency in northern beef herds
Prada e Silva, Luis, Somerset, Gemma, Gwynne, Sarah, McCosker, Kieren and Eyre, Karen (2026). Pre-calving nutrition improves reproductive efficiency in northern beef herds. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2025
Journal Article
Innovative monitoring of supplement intake in grazing beef cattle using Bluetooth ear tags
Freitas-Kirk, T., Eyre, K., McCosker, K. and Silva, L.F.P (2025). Innovative monitoring of supplement intake in grazing beef cattle using Bluetooth ear tags. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 329 116523, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116523
2025
Journal Article
The effect of a Bacillus-based probiotic on feed intake and digestibility of a forage and a feedlot diet in Bos indicus Steers
Eyre, Karen E., Pan, Liyi, Harper, Karen and Prada e Silva, Luis F. (2025). The effect of a Bacillus-based probiotic on feed intake and digestibility of a forage and a feedlot diet in Bos indicus Steers. Veterinary and Animal Science, 29 100463, 100463. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100463
2025
Conference Publication
Manejo dos sistemas de cria em ambientes de desafio
Prada e Silva, Luis F., Coimbra, Latino G.S., Eyre, Karen and Gil, Fabiano G. (2025). Manejo dos sistemas de cria em ambientes de desafio. XX JORNADA NESPro e Congresso Internacional de Criadores, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 17-18 June 2025. Porto Alegre, Brazil: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.
2025
Conference Publication
On-animal sensors: measuring grazing cattle behaviour under two different supplement strategies
Freitas-Kirk, T., Eyre, K. E., McCosker K. D. and Prada e Silva, L. (2025). On-animal sensors: measuring grazing cattle behaviour under two different supplement strategies. 12th International Rangeland Congress, Adelaide, SA Australia, 2-6 June 2025. Adelaide, SA Australia: International Rangeland Congress.
2025
Journal Article
Use of 15N abundance in tail hair to predict feed efficiency and response to a urea supplement in young cattle fed a tropical grass forage
Fraser, B. C., Eyre, K., Gaughan, J. B., Wijffels, G. and Silva, L. F. P. (2025). Use of 15N abundance in tail hair to predict feed efficiency and response to a urea supplement in young cattle fed a tropical grass forage. Animal Production Science, 65 (6) AN24210, 6. doi: 10.1071/an24210
2024
Journal Article
A feeding trial to investigate strategies to mitigate the impacts of Pimelea poisoning in Australian cattle
Hungerford, Natasha L., Ouwerkerk, Diane, Gilbert, Rosalind A., Loh, Zhi Hung, Gordon, Russell J., Silva, Luis F.P. and Fletcher, Mary T. (2024). A feeding trial to investigate strategies to mitigate the impacts of Pimelea poisoning in Australian cattle. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72 (28), 15572-15585. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02082
2024
Journal Article
Estimating the heritability of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair of beef cattle
Moradi, Morteza, Warburton, Christie L., Porto-Neto, Laercio Ribeiro and Silva, Luis F. P. (2024). Estimating the heritability of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair of beef cattle. Genetics Selection Evolution, 56 (1) 3, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/s12711-023-00870-7
2024
Conference Publication
Detecting beef cattle behaviours that may impact supplement intake variation through agricultural technologies
Freitas-Kirk, Tamara, Eyre, Karen E., McCosker, Kieren D. and Prada e Silva, Luis (2024). Detecting beef cattle behaviours that may impact supplement intake variation through agricultural technologies. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
2024
Conference Publication
The relationship between δ15N in tail hair, reproductive performance and total annual liveweight production of heifers over one calving season
Eyre, Karen, Gwynne, Sarah, Somerset, Gemma, McCosker, Kieren and Prada e Silva, Luis (2024). The relationship between δ15N in tail hair, reproductive performance and total annual liveweight production of heifers over one calving season. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
2024
Conference Publication
δ15N and physiologic changes in Angus steers before, during and after a heat stress event
Fraser, Brandon, Lees, Angela, Sammes, Stephanie, Gaughan, John, Wijffels, Gene and Prada e Silva, Luis (2024). δ15N and physiologic changes in Angus steers before, during and after a heat stress event. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8 - 12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Animal Production.
2024
Conference Publication
Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems
Chang, Anita Z., Trotter, Mark G., Williams, Thomas M., Lees, Angela M., Gaughan, John B., Prada e Silva, Luis F. and McCosker, Kieren D. (2024). Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Society of Animal Production.
2024
Conference Publication
Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems
Chang, Anita Z., Trotter, Mark G., Williams, Thomas M., Lees, Angela M., Gaughan, John B., Silva, Luis F.P., McCosker, Kieren D., Reid, Jonathan S., Macor, Justin P., Schatz, Tim, Pearson, Christie A. and Colusso, Patricia I. (2024). Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
2024
Conference Publication
The impact of pasture quality on the response to prepartum supplementation of cattle
Gwynne, Sarah, Somerset, Gemma, Eyre, Karen, McCosker, Kieren and Prada e Silva, Luis (2024). The impact of pasture quality on the response to prepartum supplementation of cattle. 35th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the 20th Asian - Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD, Australia: Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
2023
Conference Publication
Using specific Bacillus strains to improve digestibility and performance of growing steers
Pan, Liyi, Eyre, Karen, Harper, Karen and Prada e Silva, Luis (2023). Using specific Bacillus strains to improve digestibility and performance of growing steers. ASAS Annual 2023 Meeting, Athens, Greece, 13-14 January 2023. Cary, NC, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad281.329
2023
Conference Publication
Estimating the heritability of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair of beef cattle
Prada e Silva, Luis, Moradi, Morteza and Warburton, Christie (2023). Estimating the heritability of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in the tail hair of beef cattle. ASAS Annual 2023 Meeting, Athens, Greece, 13-14 January 2023. Cary, NC, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad281.032
2023
Conference Publication
Understanding variation in residual feed intake of brahman steers fed two different diets
Silva, Luis Prada e (2023). Understanding variation in residual feed intake of brahman steers fed two different diets. ASAS Annual 2023 Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, United States, 16 - 20 July 2023. Cary, NC, United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad281.337
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Advanced Probiotic Solutions for Rumen Health and Feedlot Performance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anne Beasley, Associate Professor Sarah Meale
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing beef cattle production in Northern Australia: Understanding performance variations, adoption of management practices, and modelling the impact of interventions on business performance
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Beef cattle tail hair nitrogen isotope (15N) as a proxy for nitrogen metabolism changes during periods of nutritional, heat and gestational stress
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan
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2025
Master Philosophy
Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker, Associate Professor Sarah Meale
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2024
Master Philosophy
Heritability of Isotopes and Using NIRS for Improved Nitrogen Use in Cattle
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino
Media
Enquiries
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