Using natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes to identify more efficient cows in northern Australia
Cows grazing rangelands in northern Australia are often reliant on low-quality pasture during late gestation and early lactation. Natural abundance of 15N in body protein reflects the amount of Nitrogen (N) that is being retained in the body thus animals that are more efficient at retaining N will have a lower proportion of 15N in tail hair than less efficient animals. Tail hairs were collected from 46 cows assigned to low or high efficiency sub-groups based on reproductive index score. Cows assigned to the high efficiency sub-group had significantly lower (P < 0.05) 15N concentrations over the drier months.
Dr Eyre is a post-doctoral research fellow working on the MLA funded Calf Alive project aiming to increase calf survival in the northern beef industry. She has a PhD from UQ in ruminant nutrition.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
