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Dr Kieren McCosker
Dr

Kieren McCosker

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Overview

Background

Kieren McCosker has expertise in tropical beef production. Kieren completed an Agriculture Science - Animal Science degree (University of Queensland) and later a PhD (School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland) deteriming the factors associated with reproductive performance in northern Australia beef cows, otherwise known as the Cash Cow project while working in the Agriculture Division of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. In 2021, Kieren commenced working with the Centre of Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture, Food and Innovation and comes with approximately 20 years of experience investigating production issues across many facets of the northern beef production system and south-east Asia. Some of his current projects examine the impact of shade and paddock infrastructure on calf mortality, and utilising remote technologies to remotely detect key production events, such as calving and associated maternal behaviours.

Availability

Dr Kieren McCosker is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Member, Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Australian Association of Animal Sciences

Works

Search Professor Kieren McCosker’s works on UQ eSpace

106 works between 2003 and 2024

1 - 20 of 106 works

2024

Conference Publication

Paddock Power: Assessment of paddock area and distance-to-water effects on likelihood of P4M in beef cows?

McCosker, Kieren, Walsh, Dionne, Jenner, Dale, Pettit, Caroline and Pearson, Christine (2024). Paddock Power: Assessment of paddock area and distance-to-water effects on likelihood of P4M in beef cows?. Joint AAAP & AAAS Animal Production Congress 2024, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 9-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Animal Production.

Paddock Power: Assessment of paddock area and distance-to-water effects on likelihood of P4M in beef cows?

2024

Conference Publication

Measuring HSP in tail hair as an alternative method to assess heat stress in cattle

McCosker, Kieren, Cavallaro, Tony, Lees, Angela, Sammes, Stephanie, McGowan, Michael, Gaughan, John and Ross, Elizabeth (2024). Measuring HSP in tail hair as an alternative method to assess heat stress in 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 Society of Animal Production.

Measuring HSP in tail hair as an alternative method to assess heat stress in cattle

2024

Conference Publication

Paddock Power: Assessing the impact of paddock characteristics on reproductive wastage in cattle using a commercial dataset

Fordyce, E.G., Walsh, D., Jenner, D. and McCosker, K. (2024). Paddock Power: Assessing the impact of paddock characteristics on reproductive wastage in cattle using a commercial dataset. Joint AAAP & AAAS Animal Production Congress 2024, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 9-12 July 2024. Toowong, QLD Australia: Australian Society of Animal Production.

Paddock Power: Assessing the impact of paddock characteristics on reproductive wastage in cattle using a commercial dataset

2024

Other Outputs

Reducing calf loss from exposure

McCosker, Kieren (2024). Reducing calf loss from exposure. Final Report Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.

Reducing calf loss from exposure

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.

Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems

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.

The relationship between δ15N in tail hair, reproductive performance and total annual liveweight production of heifers over one calving season

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.

Detecting beef cattle behaviours that may impact supplement intake variation through agricultural technologies

2024

Conference Publication

Using the Iberia heat tolerance test to identify heat tolerance in Droughtmaster cows

Pryor, Pippa J., Gaughan, John B., Nahdliah, Nungki L., McCosker, Kieren D. and Lees, Angela M. (2024). Using the Iberia heat tolerance test to identify heat tolerance in Droughtmaster cows. 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.

Using the Iberia heat tolerance test to identify heat tolerance in Droughtmaster cows

2024

Conference Publication

Small holder Bali cattle performance under palm-cow integration in intensive or semi-intensive management system

Kusumaningrum, Diana Andrianita, Yulistiani, Dwi, Widiawati, Yeni, Sutedi, Endang, Karman, Joni and McCosker, Kieren (2024). Small holder Bali cattle performance under palm-cow integration in intensive or semi-intensive management system. 1st International Conference on Food and Agricultural Sciences (ICFAS) 2022, Bogor, Indonesia, 24–25 November 2022. Melville, NY, United States: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0184227

Small holder Bali cattle performance under palm-cow integration in intensive or semi-intensive management system

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.

Developing a sensor-based behavioural indicator for heat stress in extensive beef cattle grazing systems

2024

Conference Publication

Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Cattle Behavior Using Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Pathway to Adaptive Livestock Management

Eckhardt, Regina, Arablouei, Reza, McCosker, Kieren and Bernhardt, Heinz (2024). Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Cattle Behavior Using Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Pathway to Adaptive Livestock Management. St. Joseph, MI: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. doi: 10.13031/aim.202400377

Modeling Climate Change Impacts on Cattle Behavior Using Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Pathway to Adaptive Livestock Management

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.

The impact of pasture quality on the response to prepartum supplementation of cattle

2023

Conference Publication

Calf Alive: Quantifying the mortality-risk associated with age at first calf in commercial beef breeding herds

McCosker, K., Somerset, G., Eyre, K., Campbell, J. and Prada e Silva, L. (2023). Calf Alive: Quantifying the mortality-risk associated with age at first calf in commercial beef breeding herds. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

Calf Alive: Quantifying the mortality-risk associated with age at first calf in commercial beef breeding herds

2023

Conference Publication

Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?

McCosker, Kieren, Boulton, Alana, Dekkers, Milou, Ross, Elizabeth, Hudson, Nick and Fortes, Marina (2023). Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?. North Australian Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?

2023

Conference Publication

Variability of minimum rainfall requirements for pasture response in northern Australia

Campbell, Joanne, Somerset, Gemma, Eyre, Karen, McCosker, Kieren and Prada e Silva, Luis (2023). Variability of minimum rainfall requirements for pasture response in northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

Variability of minimum rainfall requirements for pasture response in northern Australia

2023

Conference Publication

The impact of previous lactation and pregnancy status on tail hair isotopes

Eyre, Karen, Somerset, Gemma, Campbell, Joanne, McCosker, Kieren and Prada e Silva, Luis (2023). The impact of previous lactation and pregnancy status on tail hair isotopes. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

The impact of previous lactation and pregnancy status on tail hair isotopes

2023

Conference Publication

The effect of collection method on post-thaw bull semen quality

Fordyce, E. and McCosker, K.D. (2023). The effect of collection method on post-thaw bull semen quality. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

The effect of collection method on post-thaw bull semen quality

2023

Conference Publication

The Sweet Spot: Impact of pasture utilisation on the fertility of female cattle

McCosker, K.D., Cowley, R.A., Whish, G., Materne, C., Pettit, C.L., Carter, J.O., Mayer, D.G., Halloway, C., Pahl, L.I. and Wirf, B.J. (2023). The Sweet Spot: Impact of pasture utilisation on the fertility of female cattle. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

The Sweet Spot: Impact of pasture utilisation on the fertility of female cattle

2023

Conference Publication

Calf Alive: Attendance of study animals at walkoverweigh and autodrafting

Somerset, Gemma, McCosker, Kieren, Eyre, Karen, Campbell, Joanne and Prada e Silva, Luis (2023). Calf Alive: Attendance of study animals at walkoverweigh and autodrafting. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

Calf Alive: Attendance of study animals at walkoverweigh and autodrafting

2023

Conference Publication

The impact of prepartum supplementation on the liveweight of cows

Prada e Silva, Luis, Schatz, Tim, McCosker, Kieren, Glasson, Georgia, Fordyce, Eleanor, Somerset, Gemma and Eyre, Karen (2023). The impact of prepartum supplementation on the liveweight of cows. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.

The impact of prepartum supplementation on the liveweight of cows

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Supply chain best practice to improve the health and welfare of free-range buffalo harvest in Arnhem Land - Northern Territory.
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    North Queensland cotton-grains-cattle farming systems
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    EAP - Biopolymers to deliver bioactive compounds that reduce enteric methane
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    NB2: Assessing practical interventions to reduce calf wastage and herd mortality in northern systems
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2025
    Digital Agriculture project to integrate satellite imaging of pasture biomass and on farm sensors
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    The Sweet Spot: Improving breeder herd performance through optimal pasture utilisation (Northern Territory Dept of Industry, Tourism and Trade administered MLA project)
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Product development of an Australian trichomoniasis vaccine: Pilot trial
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Cool Calves: Reducing calf loss from exposure (MLA project administered by NTDITT)
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Paddock Power: increasing reproductive productivity through evidence-based paddock design - a pilot study (MLA project administered by NTDITT)
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Usuckled: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle (MLA project administered by NTDITT)
    Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    Improving fertility in northern cattle through host and pathogen molecular diagnosis
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Kieren McCosker is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    The investigation of the use of odour-detection dogs for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in cattle

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini, Associate Professor Gry Boe-Hansen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    PhD Analgesia and Haemostasis to achieve high standards of beef calf welfare in northern Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding body temperature regulation in grazing cattle and the effects on production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook

  • Master Philosophy

    Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Kieren McCosker's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au