Phil is an animal scientist. His research interests are in ruminant production systems and finding ways to balance productivity with biodiversity in extensive grazing systems. All of his research is driven by the need for ‘Clean, Green and Ethical’ livestock production and the importance of optimising the interaction between genotype, environment and management. His most recent research has been focused on mitigating methane emissions from sheep and cattle through manipulating the feed base, exploring the antimethanogenic properties of plant secondary compounds in Australian native plants, and genetic selection. This work culminated in the Rumen Pangenome Project, which was developed to better understand the interaction between the host and its ruminal microorganisms in determining digestive efficiency. With his colleagues Dr Jason Emms and Dr Dean Revell, he was awarded the Caring for our Country Landcare Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture (2013) for the Enrich Project.

Leader of the International Coordination of Rumen Pangenome Project

The Ruminant Efficiency Project
The Rumen Pangenome Project

Department of Agriculture
Meat and Livestock Australian
Australian Wool Innovation

The role of Australian native plants in Australian grazing systems
Bioactive properties of plant secondary compounds

Clean, Green and Ethical livestock production

Pasture and Livestock Systems (AGRI2201)
Breeding and Animal/Plant Biotechnology (AGRI4404/4405)
Sustainable Grazing Systems (AGRI5508)

Coordinator, Masters in Biotechnology, Genetics and Breeding

Methane mitigation in ruminants
Rumen Microbial Ecology
Molecular Biology
Genetics and Nutrition