Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr Kieren McCosker
Dr

Kieren McCosker

Email: 

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

113 works between 2003 and 2025

41 - 60 of 113 works

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

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

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

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.

Investigating the causes of calf losses in extensive pastoral systems - Calf watch

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.

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

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

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

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

Defining the primary business measure of liveweight production for beef cows in northern Australia

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.

Feed intake and live weight gain of Brahman steers fed diets containing cassava in the Northern Territory

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.

The effect of shade on GPS collar-recorded temperature and grazing behaviour of heifers during summer in the Barkly Tableland, Northern Territory

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

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 2. Descriptive analysis of monitored reproductive performance

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

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 8. Impact of rainfall and wild dog control on percentage fetal and calf loss

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

Epidemiology and management of BVDV in rangeland beef breeding herds in Northern Australia

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

Reproductive performance of northern Australia beef herds. 1. Survey of nutritional, breeding and herd health management practices and of the environment

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.

Vaccination of calves and weaners for Clostridial diseases

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 .

A single-shot 5-in-1 vaccination at the time of dehorning/castration and prevalence of ‘missing’ animals at future mustering events

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.

Brahman and F1 Senepol x Brahman heifer performance in the NT

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    Dual bovine venereal disease vaccine proof-of-concept trial
    Australia's Economic Accelerator Ignite Grants
    Open grant
  • 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

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
  • 2019 - 2025
    Digital Agriculture project to integrate satellite imaging of pasture biomass and on farm sensors
    Research Donation Generic
    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

    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

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