Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Honours

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Biology and Environmental Science

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy

Supervisors

Dr Elaine Mitchell
Position
Research Associate
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Professor David Rowlings
Position
Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

Time-controlled grazing (TCG), or cell grazing is a management strategy in which cattle are stocked and rotated across small paddocks or “cells” according to fodder availability. Grazing takes place in short durations at high stocking densities, in an effort to mimic the grazing patterns of wild ungulate herds.

This management strategy has gained traction in recent years due to claims that it improves both pasture productivity and diversity, whilst also increasing long-term carbon pools. Limited data is available on the impact of time-controlled grazing in Queensland rangelands, and current anecdotal reports present conflicting results on the merits of this grazing strategy.

Research activities

This project will investigate the value of time-controlled grazing in enhancing long-term carbon pools in the Brigalow belt of North-East Australia.

Research activities include:

  • field data collection across western Queensland (vegetation biomass sampling, soil sampling)
  • carbon fractionation (the physical separation of carbon pools)
  • conduct general laboratory techniques for soil characterisation
  • data wrangling and analysis of data on carbon pools and associated soil characteristics.

Outcomes

This work will provide a preliminary insight into the value of time-controlled grazing in Australian rangelands. Your work will contribute to a larger project that will inform policy and management guidelines regarding Australia's 4.3 million km2 of managed grasslands. This includes Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) goal for Australian red meat production to be carbon neutral by 2030.

You will gain valuable insight into the research process of applied sciences, and the opportunity to network with leaders in this area of research.

Skills and experience

You should have an interest in soil processes and enjoy hands-on field and laboratory settings.

Preferably you should have some knowledge or experience in soil science.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.