How did you get started in livestock research?
I grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the NZ high country and was always interested in a career in agriculture. In high school Lincoln University held a day where we did an exercise with one of the team who discovered the foot rot gene. As I’d seen the impact that discovery had on our everyday farming operations (no more foot trimming and standing sheep in foot baths!) I got really excited about the opportunities in science decided that was what I would like to do with my life. This decision led to a Science degree with an Animal Science major and a PhD in ruminant nutrition at UQ.
Briefly describe the current project/s you are conducting at QASP:
Currently I have a pilot trial running at QASP looking at the impact of feeding methane mitigating additives on feed intake in steers as well as the feasibility of using the SF6 system to measure methane when feeding a liquid feed. Later in the year I will be running a grazing trial with pregnant cows looking at the impact of methane mitigating additives on methane production in grazing cattle.
How do QASP staff and facilities help you in achieving your research aims?
When conducting a trial at QASP you always know that the combination of facilities and experienced technical staff will give you the best chance of achieving your research outcomes. The facilities are always clean, maintained well and if you have a specific idea in mind are flexible enough to provide a venue for most intensive research. The staff are fantastic to work with, they are all knowledgeable, professional and cheerfully put a lot of effort into making the research trial go as smoothly as possible. The high level of animal monitoring provided gives an early warning of potential problems and when the inevitable research hiccoughs occur the staff are ready to assist and provide advice if required.
What is your favourite aspect of your line of work?
I really enjoy the hands on running of animal trials and seeing good data being collected, it is so exciting when you get the results from one of your trials and the aim has been achieved.
What career advice would you give to your younger self?
The career advice I took and that I pass along to students now is to go and work somewhere else for a while. Getting exposure to new/different ideas and values can only make us better scientists.
Fun questions: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I’d like to be a night owl but you can really only function in Queensland as a morning person since it seems to be the majority of the people in the state!
What’s your favourite movie?
I’d like to be a night owl but you can really only function in Queensland as a morning person since it seems to be the majority of the people in the state! Favourite movie is very tricky...I do like a good superhero movie though!
View Anne's profile on UQ's Researcher database for a full list of her research projects and publications.
