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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

105 works between 2003 and 2024

21 - 40 of 105 works

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

The use of on-animal sensors to assess individual intake of supplements in beef cattle.

Freitas-Kirk, Tamara, Eyre, Karen, McCosker, Kieren and e Silva, Luis Prada (2023). The use of on-animal sensors to assess individual intake of supplements in beef cattle.. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia (RAAN-A), Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 27 - 28 July 2023.

The use of on-animal sensors to assess individual intake of supplements in beef cattle.

2023

Other Outputs

'uSuckled’: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle

McCosker, Kieren, Bishop-Hurley, Greg, Arablouei, Reza, Bender, Rachael, Glasson, Georgia, Randhawa, Imtiaz and McGowan, Michael (2023). 'uSuckled’: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle. Final Report North Sydney, NSW Australia: Meat & Livestock Australia Limited.

'uSuckled’: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle

2023

Journal Article

Corrigendum to: Production and performance of commercial beef breeding females in northern Australia. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving

McCosker, K. D., Perkins, N. R., Fordyce, G., O’Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2023). Corrigendum to: Production and performance of commercial beef breeding females in northern Australia. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 422-422. doi: 10.1071/an17502_co

Corrigendum to: Production and performance of commercial beef breeding females in northern Australia. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving

2023

Journal Article

Reproductive performance of northern Australian beef herds. 3. Descriptive analysis of major factors affecting reproductive performance

McCosker, K. D., Smith, D. R., Burns, B. M., Fordyce, G., O’Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2023). Reproductive performance of northern Australian beef herds. 3. Descriptive analysis of major factors affecting reproductive performance. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 320-331. doi: 10.1071/an22244

Reproductive performance of northern Australian beef herds. 3. Descriptive analysis of major factors affecting reproductive performance

2023

Journal Article

Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia

Schatz, T. J., McCosker, K. D. and Heeb, C. (2023). Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia. Animal Production Science, 63 (6), 544-559. doi: 10.1071/an21565

Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia

2022

Other Outputs

Profitable feeding strategies for smallholder cattle in Indonesia - final report

Harper, Karen, Poppi, Dennis, Noviandi, Cuk Tri, Agus, Ali, Gunawan, Quigley, Simon, McCosker, Kieren, Kusmartono, Takdir, Moh., Dahlanuddin, Dahlan, Panjaitan, Tanda, Kasmiyati and Subagio, Achmad (2022). Profitable feeding strategies for smallholder cattle in Indonesia - final report. Final Report Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Profitable feeding strategies for smallholder cattle in Indonesia - final report

2022

Journal Article

Live weight accounting for beef cow management

Fordyce, G., Smith, D.R., McGowan, M.R and McCosker, K.D. (2022). Live weight accounting for beef cow management. Livestock Science, 262 104960, 104960. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104960

Live weight accounting for beef cow management

2022

Conference Publication

Does the provision of artificial shade influence the reproductive performance of pregnant beef heifers in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory?

McCosker, K. (2022). Does the provision of artificial shade influence the reproductive performance of pregnant beef heifers in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory?. 34th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Cairns, Australia, 2-7 July 2022. Australian Association of Animal Science.

Does the provision of artificial shade influence the reproductive performance of pregnant beef heifers in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory?

2022

Conference Publication

Usuckled Project: ability to detect calving events and observed gestation lengths

McCosker, K., Glasson, G., Bishop-Hurley, G and McGowan, M. (2022). Usuckled Project: ability to detect calving events and observed gestation lengths. 34th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 2-7 July 2022. Australian Association of Animal Science.

Usuckled Project: ability to detect calving events and observed gestation lengths

2022

Journal Article

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving

McCosker, K. D., Perkins, N. R., Fordyce, G., O’Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2022). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 332-349. doi: 10.1071/an17502

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 4. Factors influencing the occurrence of lactating cows becoming pregnant within 4 months of calving

2022

Journal Article

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 5. Factors influencing risk of non-pregnancy

McCosker, K. D., Perkins, N. R., Fordyce, G., O’Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2022). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 5. Factors influencing risk of non-pregnancy. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 350-364. doi: 10.1071/an17503

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 5. Factors influencing risk of non-pregnancy

2022

Journal Article

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 6. Risk factors associated with reproductive losses between confirmed pregnancy and weaning

Fordyce, G., McCosker, K. D., Barnes, T. S., Perkins, N. R., O'Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2022). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 6. Risk factors associated with reproductive losses between confirmed pregnancy and weaning. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 365-377. doi: 10.1071/an19441

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 6. Risk factors associated with reproductive losses between confirmed pregnancy and weaning

2022

Journal Article

Growth and reproductive performance responses to post-weaning supplementation of early and normally-weaned Brahman crossbred heifers raised in tropical rangelands

Silva, Tiago A. C. C., Quigley, Simon P., Kidd, Lisa J., Anderson, Stephen T., McLennan, Stuart R., Schatz, Timothy J., McCosker, Kieren D. and Poppi, Dennis P. (2022). Growth and reproductive performance responses to post-weaning supplementation of early and normally-weaned Brahman crossbred heifers raised in tropical rangelands. PLoS One, 17 (2) e0263786, e0263786. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263786

Growth and reproductive performance responses to post-weaning supplementation of early and normally-weaned Brahman crossbred heifers raised in tropical rangelands

2022

Journal Article

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia

Irons, P. C., McGowan, M., Assis, P. M., Randhawa, I., Awawdeh, L., Mugwabana, J., Barnes, T. S., Boe‐Hansen, G., McCosker, K. and Fordyce, G. (2022). Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal, 100 (5), 201-204. doi: 10.1111/avj.13149

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia

2022

Journal Article

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 7. Risk factors affecting mortality rates of pregnant cows

Fordyce, G., McCosker, K. D., Smith, D. R., Perkins, N. R., O'Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2022). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 7. Risk factors affecting mortality rates of pregnant cows. Animal Production Science, 63 (4) ARTN AN19431, 378-387. doi: 10.1071/an19431

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 7. Risk factors affecting mortality rates of pregnant 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 - 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
  • 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 - 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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

  • 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

    Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees

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