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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2023
Conference Publication
Effectiveness of providing paddock-shade shelters at reducing the occurrence of calf loss in the relatively treeless Mitchell grass plains of the Barkly Tableland, NT
McCosker, Kieren (2023). Effectiveness of providing paddock-shade shelters at reducing the occurrence of calf loss in the relatively treeless Mitchell grass plains of the Barkly Tableland, NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Development of an Australian Trichomoniasis Vaccine
Tabor, Ala, Boe-Hansen, Gry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Cavallaro, Tony (2023). Development of an Australian Trichomoniasis Vaccine. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
‘uSuckled’: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle
McCosker, K., Bishop-Hurley, G., Arablouei, R., Bender, R., Glasson, G. and McGowan, M. (2023). ‘uSuckled’: Detection of maternal behaviours associated with suckling in beef cattle. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Calf Alive: Agreement between interpolated and measured weekly rainfall and temperature humidity index (THI)
Somerset, Gemma, McCosker, Kieren, Eyre, Karen, Campbell, Joanne and Prada e Silva, Luis (2023). Calf Alive: Agreement between interpolated and measured weekly rainfall and temperature humidity index (THI). Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Modelling SchMOOodelling – What’s grass got to do with it? Getting the most out of your animal production datasets
Cowley, R.A., Whish, G., Materne, C., Pettit, C.L., McCosker, K.D., Carter, J.O., Mayer, D.G., Holloway, C., Pahl, L.I. and Wirf, B.J. (2023). Modelling SchMOOodelling – What’s grass got to do with it? Getting the most out of your animal production datasets. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
New diagnostic tools for bovine vibriosis
Tabor, Ala, Siddle, Hannah, Juli, Sogra Banu, Raza, Ali, Ong, Chian Teng, McCosker, Kieren, Hayes, Ben and Boe-Hansen, Gry (2023). New diagnostic tools for bovine vibriosis. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
Completed supervision
-
2025
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
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