Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biographical Details
Fran is a ruminant nutritionist and Associate Professor in Livestock Production in the School of Environmental and Rural Science. She is a leader of the UNE Ruminant Research Group (RRG). Her research interests range from the systems level of livestock production down to the metabolic level, studying the actions and interactions of nutrients with ruminant physiology. She has conducted research on sheep, dairy and beef cattle, in grazing and grain-fed systems.
Currently a main focus for her research is nutritional solutions to methane emissions and carbon footprints of cattle and sheep, utilising the world's largest methane research facility at UNE. Fran has a keen interest in research for grain-fed cattle, and has conducted numerous industry-funded research projects to improve the productivity, welfare and sustainability of Australian lot-fed cattle at Australia's only commercial-scale research feedlot at UNE's Tullimba Feedlot.
Fran has extensive experience in agricultural research in South East Asia and the Pacific. She has worked on research for development projects in ruminant livestock systems in Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Fiji and Samoa. In these projects she has lead a variety of research activities associated with animal nutrition, cattle growth paths, and village-based beef production systems and livelihoods research.
Fran leads a large group of researchers and post-graduate students in the RRG, supervising more than 20 PhD and Masters students. Qualifications: Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons), The University of Queensland. PhD in Animal Nutrition, The University of Queensland.
Teaching
AGSY300 Grazing Systems
ANPR211 Animal Production Systems and Products
ANPR315/415/515 Constraints to Animal Production
ANPR440/540 Feedlot Management
ANPR427/527 Special Topics in Animal Production
ANUT300/500 Applied Animal Nutrition
ZOOL327 Comparative Physiology
Education/Academic qualification
Honours, University of Queensland
Doctorate, University of Queensland
Approved to Supervise
- Approved PhD/HDR supervisor
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Fran Cowley is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- 1 Similar Profiles
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Enteric methane emission factors and intensity of small ruminants production systems in Fiji – improved tier 1 approach
Silva, T., Sitienei, D., Prasad, R., Dayal, A. & Cowley, F., 3 Feb 2026, p. 532-532.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
Open Access -
The effect of Asparagopsis oil supplementation level on tissue residues and meat quality of Merino sheep fed high- or low-quality basal diets
Adam, C., Doyle, E., Dawson, J., Cowley, F., Tomkins, N., Kahn, L., Preston, J., Korir Sitienei, D., Harrison, M. T. & Holman, B. W. B., 31 Jan 2026, In: Small Ruminant Research. 254, p. 1-9 107659.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Annual Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Juncao Grass (Cenchrus fungigraminus) Under Increasing Pre-Harvest Canopy Heights
Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, T., Shafeen, M., Tabuyaqona, J., Shafeen, S., Dayal Das, A., Prasad, R. & Cowley, F., 31 Jul 2025, In: Grass and Forage Science. 80, 3, p. 1-13 e70012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Assessing Anthelmintic Resistance on Small Ruminant Farms in a Tropical Production System
Kour, G., Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, T., Walkden-Brown, S. W., Baleiverata, A., Mala, S., Rao, R., Prasad, D. & Cowley, F. C., 31 Mar 2025, In: Small Ruminant Research. 244, p. 1-10 107446.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
Dose-response of Asparagopsis extract and diet quality effects enteric methane emissions for sheep fed high-forage diets
Adam, C., Cowley, F. C., Korir Sitienei, D., Tomkins, N., Kahn, L., Preston, J. & Doyle, E., 31 May 2025, In: Small Ruminant Research. 246, p. 1-10 107487.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus)
Projects
- 27 Finished
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Utilising a blended Number 8 Bio supplement approach to methane mitigation
Cowley, F. (UNE Lead Investigator) & Smith, K. (Co-Investigator)
28/06/24 → 30/09/25
Project: Grant
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Inhibiting methane emissions in grazing cattle with liquid supplements: Backgrounding steers
Barwick, J. (UNE Lead Investigator), Cowley, F. (Co-Investigator) & McLachlan, J. (Co-Investigator)
2/01/24 → 30/07/25
Project: Grant
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In vivo test of methane-reducing ruminant feedstuffs based on modified clays (aka Modified Halloysite Feed Trial on Sheep)
Cowley, F. (UNE Lead Investigator) & Smith, K. (Co-Investigator)
18/09/23 → 1/03/24
Project: Grant
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Measuring Methane Emissions Reduction from Nano Bubble Oxygenated Water and Probiotic Combination
Cowley, F. (UNE Lead Investigator), Mackenzie, S. (Co-Investigator), McNeill, D. (Co-Investigator) & de Almeida, A. (Co-Investigator)
1/11/22 → 1/06/23
Project: Grant
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Dose-response to Rumin8 encapsulated bromoform in terms of diet preference and methane emissions in feedlot steers
Cowley, F. (UNE Lead Investigator), McNeill, D. (Co-Investigator), Simanungkalit, G. (Co-Investigator), de Almeida, A. (Co-Investigator) & Mackenzie, S. (Partner Investigator)
1/08/22 → 1/12/23
Project: Grant