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
Fields of research
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
2026
Conference Publication
Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’: Retrospective analyses of pasture utilisation effects on female reproductive performance
McCosker, K.D., Cowley, R.A., Wooderson, M., Whish, G., Materne, C., Smith, D., Fordyce, G., Mayer, D., Holloway, C., Wirf, B., Pettit, C., Oxley, T. and Carter, J. (2026). Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’: Retrospective analyses of pasture utilisation effects on female reproductive performance. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Journal Article
Factors affecting recording methane emission phenotypes of composite and crossbreed beef cattle grazing tropical and subtropical rangelands of northern Australia
Whistler, Cameron, McCosker, Kieren, Warburton, Christie, Johnston, David, Grant, Tim, Taylor, Bradley, Goodwin, Kerry, Dayman, Melissah, Scott, Natalie, Cullen, Scott, Dekkers, Milou H, Clark, Sam and Hayes, Ben J (2026). Factors affecting recording methane emission phenotypes of composite and crossbreed beef cattle grazing tropical and subtropical rangelands of northern Australia. Journal of Animal Science, 104 skag050, 104. doi: 10.1093/jas/skag050
2026
Conference Publication
Pawsitive pregnancy: investigating detection dogs for cattle pregnancy diagnosis
Watkins, Ella, McCosker, Kieren, Gambini, Andres and Boe-Hansen, Gry (2026). Pawsitive pregnancy: investigating detection dogs for cattle pregnancy diagnosis. 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.
2026
Conference Publication
Pasture utilisation that maintains land condition is most profitable long term
Cowley, Robyn, Pahl, Lester, Whish, Giselle, McCosker, Kieren and Oxley, Trudi (2026). Pasture utilisation that maintains land condition is most profitable long term. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Conference Publication
Influence of heat tolerance classification on rumen temperature regulation
Lees, Angela M., Pryor, Pippa J., Li, Runze, McCosker, Kieren D. and Gaughan, John B. (2026). Influence of heat tolerance classification on rumen temperature regulation. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Conference Publication
Thriving through change: Integrating climate science into livestock thermal stress management in Northern Australia
Mayne, Vicki, Gaughan, John, Lees, Angela, Marshall, Andrew, McCosker, Kieren and Cowan, Tim (2026). Thriving through change: Integrating climate science into livestock thermal stress management in Northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Conference Publication
Key drivers of profitability within north Australian beef breeding businesses
McCosker, Kieren and McLean, Ian (2026). Key drivers of profitability within north Australian beef breeding businesses. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2026
Conference Publication
Genomic prediction to select for lower methane production in purebred, crossbreed and composite cattle in Northern Australia
Whistler, Cameron, Warburton, Christie, McCosker, Kieren and Hayes, Ben J. (2026). Genomic prediction to select for lower methane production in purebred, crossbreed and composite cattle in Northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
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
Efficacy and safety of an Australian whole-cell killed Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine in T. foetus naïve young bulls
Santos, Harvey, McCosker, Kieren, McGowan, Michael, Siddle, Hannah, Nguyen, Loan, Raza, Ali, Boe-Hansen, Gry and Tabor, Ala (2026). Efficacy and safety of an Australian whole-cell killed Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine in T. foetus naïve young bulls. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-13 March 2026. Roma, QLD Australia: Northern Beef Research Advisory Council.
2025
Journal Article
Applying the SF6 tracer gas methodology to measure enteric methane emissions in grazing Brahman heifers
Boulton, Alana C., Costa, Diogo F.A., Firewski, Basil S., Gianvecchio, Sarah B., Mercadante, Maria Eugenia Z., Williams, S. Richard O., McCosker, Kieren, de Castro, Cecilia W.S.L., Ong, Chian T., Chen, Ziming, Guerra, Elmer F., Hudson, Nicholas H., Dekkers, Milou H., Cullen, Scott, Lopez, Andrea N., Nerurkar, Sneh K., Ostatek-Boczynski, Zofia, Hong, Hung T., Furlan, Amanda O., Dominguez-Castaño, Pablo, Nitert, Marloes D., Ross, Elizabeth M. and Fortes, Marina R.S. (2025). Applying the SF6 tracer gas methodology to measure enteric methane emissions in grazing Brahman heifers. Animal Production Science, 65 (18) AN25386, 1-12. doi: 10.1071/an25386
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
Proof-of-concept trial in mature bulls prophylactically and therapeutically vaccinated with an experimental whole-cell killed Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine
Santos, John Harvey M., Cavallaro, Antonino S., McCosker, Kieren D., McGowan, Michael R., Siddle, Hannah V., Nguyen, Loan T., Raza, Ali, Boe-Hansen, Gry B. and Tabor, Ala E. (2025). Proof-of-concept trial in mature bulls prophylactically and therapeutically vaccinated with an experimental whole-cell killed Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine. Parasitology, 152 (14), 1-10. doi: 10.1017/s0031182025100772
2025
Journal Article
Livestock behaviour forecasting via generative artificial intelligence
Eckhardt, Regina, Arablouei, Reza, Ingham, Aaron, McCosker, Kieren and Bernhardt, Heinz (2025). Livestock behaviour forecasting via generative artificial intelligence. Smart Agricultural Technology, 11 100987, 100987-11. doi: 10.1016/j.atech.2025.100987
2025
Journal Article
Insights into thermal stress effects on performance and behavior of grazing cattle via multimodal sensor monitoring
Eckhardt, Regina, Arablouei, Reza, McCosker, Kieren, Bishop-Hurley, Greg, Bagnall, Neil, Hayes, Ben, Reverter, Antonio, Ingham, Aaron and Bernhardt, Heinz (2025). Insights into thermal stress effects on performance and behavior of grazing cattle via multimodal sensor monitoring. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 27941, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-13264-0
2025
Conference Publication
Feeling the heat: a retrospective investigation of thermal load impacts on calf loss
McCosker, K.D., Cowley, R.A., Wooderson, M., Whish, G., Materne, C., Smith, D., Fordyce, G., Mayer, D., Holloway, C., Wirf, B., Pettit, C., Oxley, T. and Carter, J. (2025). Feeling the heat: a retrospective investigation of thermal load impacts on calf loss. 12th International Rangeland Congress, Adelaide, SA Australia, 2-6 June 2025. Adelaide, SA Australia: International Rangeland Congress.
2025
Conference Publication
Factors influencing pasture utilisation in northern Australian rangelands
Cowley, R.A., Whish, G.L., Hearnden, M.H., Materne, C.M., Pettit, C.L., McCosker, K.D., Carter, J., Wirf, B., Holloway, C., Pahl, L.P. and Mayer, D.G. (2025). Factors influencing pasture utilisation in northern Australian rangelands. 12th International Rangeland Congress, Adelaide, SA Australia, 2-6 June 2025. Adelaide, SA Australia: International Rangeland Congress.
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
Monitoring behavior and welfare of cattle in response to summer weather in an Arizona rangeland pasture using a commercial rumen bolus
Barto, Amadeus O., Bailey, Derek W., Trieu, Ly Ly, Pryor, Pippa, McCosker, Kieren D. and Utsumi, Santigo (2025). Monitoring behavior and welfare of cattle in response to summer weather in an Arizona rangeland pasture using a commercial rumen bolus. Animals, 15 (10) 1448, 1-22. doi: 10.3390/ani15101448
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing Dairy Pasture Management: Evaluating Warm Season Perennial Species and Grazing Practices on Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Cows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shane Campbell
-
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
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
Integrating conservation with production in Queensland grazing landscapes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Martine Maron
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Ability of on-animal sensors to estimate individual intake of supplements in beef cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva
Media
Enquiries
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