The Production Animals research group has internationally recognised expertise in production animal nutrition, physiology and management.
We are focused on a range of issues in all agricultural species spanning the entirety of an animals life cycle through to finished product. Key pillars of our research approach include physiology, nutrition and genetics.
Key research interests include:
- The effects of climate change-driven heat stress on reproductive biology, digestive physiology and nutritional management strategies;
- Methods to reduce methane emissions in ruminants through genetics or nutrition and;
- Quantifying the impact of production systems on product quality and consumer perceptions.
News and events
Contact the team
Professor Brian Leury
Deputy Dean and Professor and Reader of Animal Science
Professor Frank Dunshea
Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor and Chair of Agriculture
Animal production group co-leaders
The Production Animals research group has a unique skillset covering a broad range of applied and fundamental research skills in a range of species including pigs, poultry, dairy cattle, sheep, beef cattle and goats.
Our specific areas of research include:
- Understanding the physiology of heat stress and developing methods to mitigate such negative effects
- Assessment of novel nutritional supplements to modify animal production
- Insects as an alternate protein source
- Interpretation of metabolic and hormonal responses to nutritional and environmental challenges
- Robotic dairy cattle production systems
- Understanding fundamental metabolic pathways of efficiency and nutrient partitioning
- Investigating the role of the gut in animal health and production
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Development of novel food products
- Maintaining product quality and consumer health
- Use of in vitro models to assess ruminant feed quality
- Using genetic markers to select for thermal tolerance
- Development of innovative tools to assess and improve meat quality
- Methods to increase the value of feed grains
- Use of animals as a model of metabolic syndrome
- Employing DXA technology to measure tissue deposition in farm animals
- The use of novel technologies to monitor animal production, health and growth.
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In vitro characterisation of ruminant feeds and supplements
We have established many valuable collaborations with other university-based research teams nationally and internationally, allowing us to offer services and capabilities in the form of a Wildlife Health Toolkit, which can be used to tackle any wildlife health issue.
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In vivo assessment of feed supplements in production animals (dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry)
We have established many valuable collaborations with other university-based research teams nationally and internationally, allowing us to offer services and capabilities in the form of a Wildlife Health Toolkit, which can be used to tackle any wildlife health issue.
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Climate controlled production animal studies
We have established many valuable collaborations with other university-based research teams nationally and internationally, allowing us to offer services and capabilities in the form of a Wildlife Health Toolkit, which can be used to tackle any wildlife health issue.
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Rumen metagenomics and enteric methane emission reduction
We have established many valuable collaborations with other university-based research teams nationally and internationally, allowing us to offer services and capabilities in the form of a Wildlife Health Toolkit, which can be used to tackle any wildlife health issue.
Academics and researchers in the Production Animals research group.
Group members
Dr Kristy Digiacomo
Dr Jeremy Cottrell
Jeremy Cottrell’s research interests focus on altered physiological states and how they translate to animal production and product quality. In particular, Dr Cottrell is interested in factors that compromise the gastrointestinal tract, developmental effects that compromise the formation and growth of skeletal muscle and the ramifications of increased environmental temperatures on livestock.
jcottrell@unimelb.edu.au +61383441854Dr Surinder Singh Chauhan
As an animal scientist with a background in veterinary and meat sciences, Surinder Chauhan’s research involves improving and promoting sustainable and efficient livestock production systems; mitigating and developing strategies to manage animal responses to heat stress and understanding the genetic, molecular and biochemical basis of meat quality.
ss.chauhan@unimelb.edu.au +61383444744Graduate researchers
James Langley
Le Hieu Huu
Marko Younan
The Production Animals research group excels in combining their expertise in animal genetics, physiology, growth, metabolism, nutrition and health to improve production animal efficiency.
Our research spans all production animal species including sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry. Our main research focus is understanding the drivers that underpin production efficiency to improve animal performance.