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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
2022
Other Outputs
Investigating the causes of calf losses in extensive pastoral systems - Calf watch
Schatz, Tim, McCosker, Kieren, Wheeler, Jack, Fordyce, Eleanor, Glasson, Georgia, Wooderson, Melissa and Boughton, Raoul (2022). Investigating the causes of calf losses in extensive pastoral systems - Calf watch. Final Report Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2022
Conference Publication
The Easy P Project: evaluating a Phosphorus supplementation strategy that is easy to implement in areas that are difficult to access during the wet season in northern Australia
Schatz, T. J., McCosker, K. D. and Maxwell, C. (2022). The Easy P Project: evaluating a Phosphorus supplementation strategy that is easy to implement in areas that are difficult to access during the wet season in northern Australia. 34th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences , Cairns, Australia, 2-7 July 2022. Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
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) AN19431, 378-387. doi: 10.1071/an19431
2021
Journal Article
Defining the primary business measure of liveweight production for beef cows in northern Australia
Fordyce, Geoffry, Barnes, Tamsin S., McGowan, Michael R., Perkins, Nigel R., Smith, David R. and McCosker, Kieren D. (2021). Defining the primary business measure of liveweight production for beef cows in northern Australia. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 395-409. doi: 10.1071/AN20096
2021
Conference Publication
Feed intake and live weight gain of Brahman steers fed diets containing cassava in the Northern Territory
McCosker, K., Roberio, G., Mello, H., Quigley, S. P. and Poppi, D. P. (2021). Feed intake and live weight gain of Brahman steers fed diets containing cassava in the Northern Territory. 33rd Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Fremantle, WA Australia, 1-3 February 2021. Orange, NSW Australia: Australian Association of Animal Science.
2021
Conference Publication
The effect of shade on GPS collar-recorded temperature and grazing behaviour of heifers during summer in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory
McCosker, Kieren and Jenner, Dale (2021). The effect of shade on GPS collar-recorded temperature and grazing behaviour of heifers during summer in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory. 33rd Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences, Fremantle, WA, Australia, 1-3 February 2021. Orange, NSW, Australia: Australian Association of Animal Science.
2020
Journal Article
Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 2. Descriptive analysis of monitored reproductive performance
McCosker, K. D., Fordyce, G., O'Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2020). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 2. Descriptive analysis of monitored reproductive performance. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 311-319. doi: 10.1071/AN17495
2020
Journal Article
Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 8. Impact of rainfall and wild dog control on percentage fetal and calf loss
Allen, Lee R., Barnes, Tamsin S., Fordyce, Geoffry, McCosker, Kieren D. and McGowan, Michael R. (2020). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 8. Impact of rainfall and wild dog control on percentage fetal and calf loss. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 388-394. doi: 10.1071/an19430
2020
Journal Article
Epidemiology and management of BVDV in rangeland beef breeding herds in Northern Australia
McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoff and Kirkland, Peter (2020). Epidemiology and management of BVDV in rangeland beef breeding herds in Northern Australia. Viruses, 12 (10) v12101063, 1063. doi: 10.3390/v12101063
2020
Journal Article
Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 1. Survey of nutritional, breeding and herd health management practices and of the environment
McCosker, K. D., Jephcott, S., Burns, B. M., Smith, D. R., Fordyce, G., O'Rourke, P. K. and McGowan, M. R. (2020). Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 1. Survey of nutritional, breeding and herd health management practices and of the environment. Animal Production Science, 63 (4), 301-310. doi: 10.1071/AN17494
2020
Other Outputs
Vaccination of calves and weaners for Clostridial diseases
McCosker, Kieren (2020). Vaccination of calves and weaners for Clostridial diseases. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.
2019
Conference Publication
A single-shot 5-in-1 vaccination at the time of dehorning/castration and prevalence of ‘missing’ animals at future mustering events
McCosker, K. D., Ward, J. and Douglas, J. (2019). A single-shot 5-in-1 vaccination at the time of dehorning/castration and prevalence of ‘missing’ animals at future mustering events. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2021. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council .
2019
Conference Publication
Brahman and F1 Senepol x Brahman heifer performance in the NT
Schatz, T., McCosker, K., Wheeler, J. and Dollemore, W. (2019). Brahman and F1 Senepol x Brahman heifer performance in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Kieren McCosker is:
- Available for supervision
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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
Understanding body temperature regulation in grazing cattle and the effects on production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Gaughan, Dr Angela Lees
-
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
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of Analgesia and Haemostasis on Beef Calves during dehorning in Northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alan Tilbrook
-
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: Dr Sarah Meale, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva
Media
Enquiries
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