Research interests

• Animal movement metrics
• Ruminant nutrition, physiology and behaviour
• Ruminant growth and development (esp. dairy heifers)
• Mathematical modelling of ruminant physiology and behaviour  

Background

Robin Dobos is a Research Scientist in NSW Department of Primary Industries Production Research. He has extensive research experience in dairy cow nutrition and physiology, dairy heifer growth and development, mathematical modelling and decision support tool development.

Dr Robin Dobos is collaborating with the Precision Agriculture Research Group (PARG) at the University of New England. PARG is conducting livestock movement research using GPS devices. Robin’s role is the modelling and statistical analysis of the large data sets generated. He is also collaborating with the Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies in improving the understanding of physiological differences between cattle divergent in residual feed intake, as well as differences in feeding behaviour.

Qualifications

• B.AgSc. – University of Adelaide
• Grad. Dipl. Appl. Stats. – University of South Australia
• M.Sc. (Vet. Sci.) – University of Sydney
• PhD – University of New England

Current projects

• Modelling livestock movements using GPS devices;
• Modelling CO2 and methane production from grazing ruminants;
• Grazing behaviour of ruminants.

Recent Publications

Dobos, R.C., Sinclair, K., Hinch, GN and Fulkerson, WJ (2009) Frequency distribution of sward height of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass pastures intensively grazed by dairy cows. Animal Production Science 49 (7): 574 - 585

Dobos, R.C., Fulkerson, WJ, Sinclair, K. and Hinch, GN (2009) Grazing behaviour and pattern of intake of dairy cows grazing kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass pastures in relation to sward height and length of grazing session. Animal Production Science 49: 233–238

Dobos, R.C. and Herd, RM (2008) Spectral analysis of feeding patterns of steers divergent in residual feed intake. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48: 843-846.

Fulkerson, WJ, Davison, TM, Garcia, SC, Hough, G., Goddard, ME, Dobos, R.C. and Blockey, M (2008) Holstein-Friesian dairy cows under a predominantly grazing system: interaction between genotype and environment. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 826-839.

Horadagoda, A., Fulkerson, W.J., Bachia, I., Dobos, R.C. and Nandra, K.S., (2008) The effect of grain species and grain processing on the efficiency of feed utilisation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep. Livestock Science 114: 117-126

Goopy, J.P., Hegarty, R.S. and Dobos, R.C. (2006) The persistence over time of divergent methane production in lot fed cattle. International Congress Series 1293, 111-114 (July 2006). Greenhouse Gases and Animal Agriculture: An Update. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Greenhouse Gases and Animal Agriculture, held in Zurich, Switzerland between 20 and 24 September 2005

Nolan, J. and Dobos, R.C. (2006) Nitrogen transactions in ruminants In: Quantitative aspects of ruminant digestion and metabolism (2nd edition). Editors: J. Dijkstra, J.M. Forbes and J. France. CABI Publishing.

Wilson, S.C., Dobos, R.C., Fell, L.R. (2005) Spectral analysis of feeding and lying behaviour of cattle kept under different feedlot conditions. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 8: 13-24

Dobos, R.C., Ashwood, A.M., Moore, K., Youman, M. (2004) A decision tool to help in feed planning on dairy farms. Environmental Modelling and Software 19: 967-974

Dobos, R.C., Fulkerson, W.J. (2004) A database program to assist in the allocation of pasture and supplements to grazing dairy cows Environmental Modelling and Software 19: 581-589

Dobos, R.C., Nandra, K.S., Riley, K., Fulkerson, W.J., Alford, A., Lean, I.J. (2004) The effects of age and liveweight of dairy heifers at first calving on multiple lactation production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44: 969 - 974,

Dobos, R.C., Nandra, K.S., Riley, K., Fulkerson, W.J., Lean, I.J., Kellaway, R.C. (2001) Effects of age and liveweight at first calving on first lactation milk, protein and fat yield of Friesian heifers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41: 13-19

Dobos, R.C., McPhee, M.J., Ashwood, A.M., Alford, A.M. (2001) A decision support tool for feeding and management of dairy replacement heifers Environmental Modelling and Software 16: 331-338

Fulkerson, W.J., Wilkins, J., Dobos, R.C., Hough, G.M., Goddard, M.E., Davison, T. (2001) Reproductive performance in Holstein-Friesian cows in relation to genetic merit and level of feeding when grazing pasture Animal Science 73: 397-406

Dobos, R.C., Nandra, K.S., Riley, K., Fulkerson, W.J., Lean, I.J., Kellaway, R.C. (2000) The effect of dietary protein level during the pre-pubertal period of growth on mammary gland development and subsequent milk production in Friesian heifers. Livestock Production Science 63: 235-243

Professional associations and activities

• Australian Society of Animal Production
• Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand

Research, Courses, Fields and Disciplines classification

• 239901 Biological Mathematics
• 280210 Simulation and Modelling
• 300406 Animal Growth and Development

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Animal nutrition and physiology 
• Animal behaviour
• Animal growth and development 
• Mathematical modelling
• Decision support