Working together for a better future
Meeting the Group
Dr Mariana Caetano
Head of Ruminant Nutrition Group
Mariana Caetano is a Senior lecturer and the Coordinator of the Animal Nutrition and Metabolism courses in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide. She is a member of the Davies Livestock Research Centre, the Australian Association of Ruminant Nutrition, the Australian Association of Animal Sciences and the manager of the Livestock Research Centre. She represents the University in the Livestock Program of the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC and leads the Ruminant Nutrition Group and Laboratory. Dr Caetano is dedicated to conducting research and developing innovative solutions to address emerging challenges in the cattle and sheep industry, ultimately benefiting farmers and ensuring the sustainability of livestock production while fighting global warming.
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Dr Yohannes Messele
Post-doctoral Researcher
Yohannes Messele is a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide. He specializes in the molecular analysis of microorganisms, with a focus on reducing antimicrobial resistance and methane emissions from beef cattle. Currently, he is conducting research on the use of seaweed and other feed additives to reduce methane emissions from beef cattle and promote sustainable livestock farming. He is also involved in supervising student research projects. He is an active member of the Australian Society for Microbiology. Beyond academia, Yohannes enjoys hiking, soccer, and tennis.
Leesa-Joy Flanagan
PhD candidate
Leesa Flanagan is in the final stages of her PhD candidature at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide. Leesa’s research interests focus on applied ruminant nutrition, specifically the concept of fetal programming and how maternal nutrition can influence the productivity of progeny. Leesa is currently also working as a Ruminant Technical Advisor with National Feed Solutions where she works closely with producers to improve overall enterprise production through livestock. Currently, Leesa is a member of the Australian Association of Ruminant Nutrition, Barossa Improved Grazing Group and the Australian Association of Animal Sciences.
Kellie Wenham
Research officer and PhD student
Kellie completed honours in 2018 at the University of Adelaide, School of Animal and Veterinary Science which used a stochastic model coded in R, designed to quantify maternal productivity traits and outcomes for a range of seasonal changes and pasture growth curves. After honours, Kellie spent 4 years working as a Senior Production Technician at Serb Pharmaceuticals, with a key focus on animal health and low stress stock handling. Kellie is now working as a Research Officer and starting her PhD on the MERIL grant, focusing on Asparagopsis supplementation through the beef cattle production cycle.
Tianna Boyce
PhD student
Tianna Boyce is a PhD student in the School of Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus. Tianna finished her honours in 2023, which focused on finding a phenotypic measure to estimate ewe reproductive performance. Her primary study interest is animal nutrition and reproduction with livestock and large animal species. Outside of her studies, Tianna enjoys travelling to rural South Australia to spend time with her family and work with her animals.
Kelly Will
Honours student
Kelly Will is an Animal Science honours student working on reducing methane emissions in cattle, investigating the inclusion of anti-methanogenic feed additives. She is also a member of the Women Together Learning (WoTL) Conference Team. She is involved on a pasture research team at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Kelly did her bachelor studies in Agriculture Science where she developed a passion for developing sustainable production techniques to feed the growing population.
Erica Smith
Research officer
Erica Smith is a 2nd year Veterinary Bioscience student at The University of Adelaide. She previously studied 3 years of Animal Science, where she developed a passion for production animals with a key focus on prioritising ruminants' welfare to maximise performance and efficiency. Currently, Erica is working as a feedlot hand at Yarralinka Livestock Co. where she also assists in data retrieval for Adelaide University's heat stress research trial.
Xuan Lu (Brandon)
Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship
Brandon is a recent Animal Science graduate from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, at the University of Adelaide. He has been awarded the prestigious Adelaide Summer Research Scholarships for two consecutive years. Brandon actively engaged in the current cattle research project, specifically in exploring the long-term effects of seaweed supplementation on methane, rumen microbiota, and growth performance of progeny throughout the beef cattle production cycle. Brandon is dedicated to applying academic knowledge and practical skills to enhance animal welfare and promote sustainable on-farm practices in the animal science sector.
Past Members
The Ruminant Nutrition Group extends its gratitude to our esteemed former members for their valuable contributions during their tenure with us. We sincerely appreciate their dedication, professionalism, and hard work, which have greatly contributed to our success.
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As they embark on new journeys and pursue new opportunities, we extend our best wishes for their future endeavours. We have every confidence that their skills, expertise and work ethic will continue to bring them success and fulfilment in their careers.
Staff Members
Bruno Rogerio Costa Alves (Associate Researcher 2021 - 2023)
Hue Thi Do (Research Officer 2021 - 2023)
Sharon Siva Subramaniam (Post-doctoral Researcher 2020)
International Higher Degree Research Student
Saulo Teixeira Rodrigues de Almeida (2023; UNESP/Brazil)
Honours Students
Lillian Carlyon (2023)
Tianna Boyce (2023)
Charlotte Allen (2022)
Chandler Coker (2021-2022)
Sophie Tamblyn (2021)
Nicholas Dawes (2019/2020)
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine Students
Alice Brownrigg (2023)
Caitlin Keller (2023)
Manaswini Dasari (2023)
Matilda Dent (2023)
Madeleine Reichstein (2018)
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Adelaide Summer Research Scholarship
Xuan Lu (2022/23)
Narelle Montgomery (2022/23)
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Research Projects
Methane throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia
2023 - present
Funded by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australian government)
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Collaborators: Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance, Mackillop Farm Management, Barossa Improved Grazing Group, SA Livestock Consultants, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains, Charles Sturt University, Agripartner Consulting, Sea Forest, JT Johnsons & Sons, Agscent, and PIRSA/SARDI.
Methane reduction in beef cattle in commercial production systems
2022 - 2023
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Agricultural Innovation Hubs Program - Australian Government.
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Collaborators: Sea Forest, Mackillop Farm Management, Barossa Improved Grazing Group.
A novel amino acid approach to lamb survival
2019 - 2023
Funded by Meat and Livestock Australia.
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Collaborators: AgResearch New Zealand and PIRSA/SARDI.
Breath biomarkers in ruminants
2019 - 2023
Funded by Davies Livestock Research Centre
Is the addition of a trace element and amino acid supplement to the water supply beneficial to Angus steers?
2021 - 2023
Funded by Innovation and Commercial Partners (Australian Government) and Beachport Liquid Minerals.
Student Research Projects
Browse a selection of research projects we've completed in the past few years
Long term effects of maternal amino acid supplementation to improve productivity of twin Merino lambs
Leesa-Joy Flanagan
Ruminant Nutrition Laboratory
Our laboratory offers us the opportunity to evaluate the fermentation and degradation rates of a wide range of feeds, enabling us to analyse the characteristics of grains and roughage in ruminant nutrition. Through gas measurements, we are able to assess the influence of different feeds, supplements, compounds and substances on rumen fermentation and gas production. This capability allows us to gain valuable insights into the impact of various factors on ruminant digestion and overall rumen health.
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Analyses performed in our laboratory:
In vitro analysis
In situ technique
Gas measurements - livestock and ambient air
Particle size of grains
Particle size of diets and roughage - Penn State Particle Size Separator
Dry matter, Protein, Ammonium, Water soluble carbohydrates, Starch, and Glycogen
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Post your samples to:
The University of Adelaide
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Agronomy building, Laboratory G12, Roseworthy Campus
Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia
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Ruminant Nutrition Laboratory
Please let us know how we can assist you
We respectfully acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations Peoples and their Elders past and present, who are the First Nations’ Traditional Owners of the lands that are now home to our combined campuses located in Adelaide, Waite, Roseworthy, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
