Dr Kieren McCosker

Senior Research Fellow

Centre for Animal Science

k.mccosker@uq.edu.au

Dr Kieren McCosker grew up on a sheep and cattle property near St. George in south-west Queensland before completing an undergraduate degree in agricultural science, majoring in animal science, from the University of Queensland. He earned his PhD from the University of Queensland in 2016 through determining and quantifying the impact the major factors affecting reproductive performance had on commercial beef breeding females in north Australia.

Between 2001 and 2021, Kieren worked within the Northern Territory Government sector as a Senior Livestock Scientist and gained research experience across many aspects of the northern Australia beef production systems. Currently, Kieren is the principal investigator of the MLA funded ‘Reducing calf mortality from exposure’ study and ‘uSuckled’ projects, and is collaborating on several other beef production focused studies, including ‘CalfAlive’, ‘Paddock Power’ and ‘Sweet Spot’. In addition to these, Kieren has research interests in the use of GPS and other remote technology to gain further our understanding of animal production and grazing behaviour. He was a key collaborator in an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research funded study developing growth-response curves for cassava tuber-based diets fed to Brahman cattle and improving the reproductive performance of cows and performance of fattening cattle in low input systems of Indonesia. Other recent research activities include an evidence-based assessment of the impact of wild dogs on NT cattle production, investigating the effect of providing single shot 5in1 vaccination on mortality in young cattle and defining the impact of surgical husbandry procedures on welfare of beef cattle.

Researcher biography

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.

Publications

Journal Articles (21)

Conference Papers (64)

Research Report (1)

Department Technical Report (1)

Journal Articles

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

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

Schatz, T. J., McCosker, K. D. and Heeb, C. (2023). Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia. Animal Production Science, 63 (6), 544-559. doi: 10.1071/an21565

Fordyce, G., Smith, D.R., McGowan, M.R and McCosker, K.D. (2022). Live weight accounting for beef cow management. Livestock Science, 262 104960, 104960. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104960

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

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

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

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

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

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) ARTN AN19431, 378-387. doi: 10.1071/an19431

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

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

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

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. doi: 10.3390/v12101063

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

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

Petherick, J. C., McCosker, K., Mayer, D. G., Letchford, P. and McGowan, M. (2013). Evaluation of the impacts of spaying by either the dropped ovary technique or ovariectomy via flank laparotomy on the welfare of Bos indicus beef heifers and cows. Journal of Animal Science, 91 (1), 382-394. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5164

Fordyce, Geoffry, Anderson, Angela, McCosker, Kieren, Williams, Paul J., Holroyd, Richard G., Corbet, Nick J. and Sullivan, Michael S. (2013). Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle. Animal Production Science, 53 (4), 275-282. doi: 10.1071/AN12253

Petherick, J. C., McCosker, K., Mayer, D. G., Letchford, P. and McGowan, M. (2011). Preliminary investigation of some physiological responses of Bos indicus heifers to surgical spaying. Australian Veterinary Journal, 89 (4), 131-137. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00696.x

McCosker, K., Letchford, P., Petherick, J. C., Meyer, D. and McGowan, M. (2010). Morbidity, mortality and body weight gain of surgically spayed, yearling Brahman heifers. Australian Veterinary Journal, 88 (12), 497-503. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00646.x

Bowen, M. K., McCosker, K., McLennan, S. R. and Poppi, D. P. (2003). The development of a novel method to estimate microbial protein production in grazing Brahman crossbred cattle. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 3, 365-367.

Conference Papers

Kusumaningrum, Diana Andrianita, Yulistiani, Dwi, Widiawati, Yeni, Sutedi, Endang, Karman, Joni and McCosker, Kieren (2024). Small holder bali cattle performance under palm-cow integration in intensive or semi-intensive management system. AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0184227

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

da Silva, T.A.C.C., McCosker, K., Schatz, T., Quigley, S.P., McLennan, S.R. and Poppi, DP (2016). Strategies for replacement heifers in northern Australia: weaning weight. Northern Australia Beef Research Update Conference, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 21-23 August 2016. Gympie, QLD, Australia: Queensland North Australia Beef Research Council.

McCosker, K. D. , Cowley, T. and Lemcke, B. (2016). No production response of injectable trace minerals in young cattle grazing pasture based systems in the Northern Territory. 31st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production., Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5–7 July 2016. Adelaide, SA, Australia:

McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014.

McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O’Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Australian: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Burns, Brian (2014). Reproductive wastage in extensively-managed beef cattle. WBC 2014: XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Saint Leonards, NSW Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Smith, David (2014). Live weight production in extensively-managed beef breeding herds. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

Fordyce, Geoffry, McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren and Burns, Brian (2014). Foetal and calf loss in extensively managed beef cattle. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Australian: Australian Veterinary Association.

Schatz, Tim, McCosker, Kieren, McGlynn, Ben and Cameron, Max (2013). The effect of birth weight and month of birth on pre-weaning growth of calves on the Barkly Tableland, NT. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 12-15 August 2013. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, Kieren D., Fordyce, Geoff, Smith, David, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter K., Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian M., Morton, John M. and Jephcott, Sandi (2013). Insights from Cash Cow. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 12-15 August 2013. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Dollemore, W., Quigley, S. P., Poppi, D. P. and McCosker, K. (2013). Change in liveweight of non-pregnant, mature Bos indicus cows of different lactational status over the dry season. Northern Beef Research Update Conference 2013, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 12-15 August, 2013.

Fordyce, G., McCosker, K. D. and McGowan, M. R. (2013). Advances in reproductive management of cow-calf nutrition in times of crises. VIII Jornado NESPRO: International Symposium on Beef Cattle Production Systems, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, 24-26 September, 2013.

McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, K. D., Fordyce, G., Smith, D. R., Perkins, N. R., O'Rourke, P. K., Barnes, T., Marquart, L., Menzies, D., Newsome, T., Joyner, D., Phillips, N., Burns, B. M., Morton, J. M. and Jephcott, J. (2013). Factors affecting performance of beef breeding herds: findings from the Cash Cow project. ACV 2013: Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD, Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

Fordyce, Geoffry, McCosker, Kieren, Smith, Dave, O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel and McGowan, Michael (2013). Performance and production of North Australian beef breeding herds - findings from The Cash Cow Project. Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 25-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

McCosker, K. D., O'Rourke, P. K., McGown, P. and Schatz, T. J. (2012). Timing of first pregnancy influenced the cummulative productivity of commercial beef heifers in north-west Australia. Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2-5 July 2012.

Schatz, T. J. and McCosker, K. D. (2011). Processing calves prior to weaning on a Sturt Plateau (NT) cattle property. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

McCosker, K. D. and Schatz, T. J. (2011). Effect of early-processing on the growth and survival of NT weaner cattle. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park  Ridge  , QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Joyner, Di and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 2. Diet quality. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Dollemore, Whitney and McCosker, Kieren D. (2011). Productivity consequences of incorporating 25% later maturing genes into a Brahman herd in the Victoria River District. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

McCosker, Kieren, Butler, Sophia, Smith, David, Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 4. Vaccination to control reproductive loss. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Joyner, Di, Perkins Nigel and O'Rourke, Peter (2011). Cashcow for vets: Using foetal-aging to improve the reproductive management of beef herds. Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference (AVA, 2011), Adelaide, SA Australia, 15-20 May 2011. St Leonards, NSW Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

McCosker, Kieren D., McGowan, Michael R., O'Rourke, Peter K., Smith, David R., Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian M., Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Perkins, Nigel R., Morton, John M. and Jephcott, Sandi (2011). Cash Cow-exposing northern breeder herd productivity. Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC 2011), Darwin, Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, David, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 1. Management.. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Esplande, Darwin, Australia, 3–4 August 2011. Park Ridge, Qld., Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Smith, David, McCosker, Kieren, Butler, Sophia, Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 3. Bull selection and management. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Smith, David, Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don and Kirkland, Peter (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 6. Prevalence of bovine pestivirus infection. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Ardila, Andres, McCosker, Kieren, Smith, David, Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Jephcott, Sandi, Greer, Ristan, Boe-Hansen, Gry and McGowan, Michael (2011). Survey of selected north Australian beef breeding herds. 5. Prevalence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis infection. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3–4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Schatz, Tim, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry and McGowan, Michael (2011). Predicting pregnancy rates from pre-calving body condition score of first-lactation Brahmans. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

Cowley, Robyn A., McCosker, Kieren D., MacDonald, Robert N. and Hearnden, Mark N. (2007). Optimal pasture utilisation rates for sustainable cattle production with a commercial Brahman herd in the Victoria River Downs region of the Northern Territory. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Townsville, QLD Australia, 21-22 March 2007. Brisbane, QLD Australia: North Australian Beef Research Council.

Research Report

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.

Department Technical Report

McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren D., Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave R., O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Morton, John, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Burns, Brian and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). North Australian beef fertility project: CashCow. B.NBP.0382. School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland.