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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

114 works between 2003 and 2025

61 - 80 of 114 works

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

2019

Conference Publication

Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on female reproductive performance in phosphorus deficient country in the NT

Schatz, T., McCosker, K. and Thomas, S. (2019). Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on female reproductive performance in phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on female reproductive performance in phosphorus deficient country in the NT

2019

Conference Publication

Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning

McCosker, K. D. and Schatz, T. (2019). Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Risk factors of cows associated with plasma inorganic P concentration of calves at weaning

2019

Conference Publication

Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds

Cowley, Robyn, McCosker, Kieren D., Pahl, Lester, Smith, Dave, Whish, Giselle, Wooderson, Melissa, Fordyce, Geoffry, Holloway, Christopher, Jenner, Dale and Materne, Christopher (2019). Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Finding the ‘Sweet Spot’ for reproductive performance in north Australian beef herds

2019

Conference Publication

“Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification

Walsh, D. and McCosker, K. (2019). “Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

“Paddock Power”: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification

2019

Conference Publication

Shifting cattle from grazing extensive pastures to floodplain pastures in the Northern Territory: effect on rumen microbial communities

Gilbert, Rosalind, Ouwerkerk, Diane, Negara, Windu, Schatz, Tim, Kleive, Athol and McCosker, Kieren (2019). Shifting cattle from grazing extensive pastures to floodplain pastures in the Northern Territory: effect on rumen microbial communities. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Shifting cattle from grazing extensive pastures to floodplain pastures in the Northern Territory: effect on rumen microbial communities

2019

Conference Publication

Calf Watch – developing a system to remotely monitor calving and study calf loss in extensive situations in Northern Australia

Schatz, T., McCosker, K., Wooderson, M., Bailey-Preston, G. and Boughton, R. (2019). Calf Watch – developing a system to remotely monitor calving and study calf loss in extensive situations in Northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council .

Calf Watch – developing a system to remotely monitor calving and study calf loss in extensive situations in Northern Australia

2019

Conference Publication

Supplementation effects on growth and fertility in lactating Bos indicus cows in the Katherine region, Northern Territory

McCosker, Kieran D., Monk, B. and Lynch, Dan (2019). Supplementation effects on growth and fertility in lactating Bos indicus cows in the Katherine region, Northern Territory. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2018. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Northern Australia Beef Research Council.

Supplementation effects on growth and fertility in lactating Bos indicus cows in the Katherine region, Northern Territory

2019

Conference Publication

Phosphorus supplementation and female PiP levels in the VRD, NT

Schatz, T. and McCosker, K. (2019). Phosphorus supplementation and female PiP levels in the VRD, NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19-22 August 2019. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Phosphorus supplementation and female PiP levels in the VRD, NT

2019

Conference Publication

The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation

McCosker, K., Quigley, S. P., Nunez, C. N., Bailey-Preston, G. and Wooderson, M. (2019). The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation. Northern Australian Beef Research Update Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 19-22 August 2019.

The post-weaning performance of calves from cows with and without access to P during pregnancy and lactation

2018

Conference Publication

Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT

Schatz, T. and McCosker, K. (2018). Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Australian Society of Animal Production Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, 3 July 2018.

Phosphorus supplementation of Brahman heifers in phosphorus deficient country in the NT

2018

Other Outputs

Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers

Poppi, Dennis, Silva, Tiago, Quigley, Simon, Kidd, Lisa, Anderson, Stephen, McCosker, Kieren, Mohr-Bell, Rebecca and Schatz, Tim (2018). Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers. Final Report North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia.

Target dry season weight gains for weaner heifers

2017

Journal Article

Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry

Srirattana, Kanokwan, McCosker, Kieren, Schatz, Tim and St. John, Justin C. (2017). Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry. BMC Genetics, 18 (1) 59, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12863-017-0523-5

Cattle phenotypes can disguise their maternal ancestry

2017

Other Outputs

Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia

McGowan, Michael, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, McCosker, Kieren, Barnes, Tamsin, Hegardy, Roger, McNeil, David, Perksins, Nigel and Miller, Joe (2017). Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia. North Sydney, NSW, Australia: Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.

Development of candidate management interventions to reduce calf wastage in beef herds in northern Australia

2016

Other Outputs

Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia

McCosker, Kieren (2016). Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia. PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.44

Risk factors affecting the reproductive outcome of beef breeding herds in North Australia

2016

Conference Publication

Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia

Schatz, Tim, Taylor, Lee, Letchford, Peter and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Bopriva as an alternative to spaying cattle in northern Australia

2016

Conference Publication

Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain

McCosker, K. D. (2016). Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD Australia:

Changes in liveweight of cows after relocation to NT floodplain

2016

Conference Publication

High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows

Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoff and McGowan, Michael (2016). High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD Australia, 15-18 August 2016.

High prevalence of low body condition of north Australian cows

2016

Conference Publication

Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT

Schatz, Tim and McCosker, Kieren (2016). Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 15-18 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Resaerch Council.

Effect of Phosphorus supplementation on the growth and fertility of Brahman heifers grazing Phosphorus deficient country in the NT

2016

Other Outputs

Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia

Mayberry, Dianne, Cowley, Frances, Cramb, Rob, Poppi, Dennis, Quigley, Simon, McCosker, Kieren and Priyanti, Atien (2016). Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia. Canberra, ACT Australia: ACIAR.

Improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia and northern Australia

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

  • 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

  • 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

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