Dr Matt Wolcott

Qualifications

2013 Doctor of Philosophy, University of New England, Australia.
Thesis: Opportunities for selection to improve steer and cow productivity in northern Australia.

2004 Master of Rural Science, University of New England, Australia.
Thesis: The prediction of percent retail beef yield from live animal ultrasound Measurements.

1990 Bachelor of Applied Science, University of Queensland, Gatton College, Australia.

Research Interests

Matt works on Beef cattle genetic evaluation, looking at feed efficiency and its inclusion in selection programs, as well as real time ultrasound scanning for carcass and fertility traits in live cattle and sheep.

Research foci:

• Beef cattle genetic evaluation.
• Beef cattle feed efficiency and its inclusion in selection programs.
• Real time ultrasound scanning for carcass and fertility traits in live cattle and sheep.

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Bunter, K L; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L and Fordyce, G (2014).  “Factors associated with calf mortality in tropically adapted beef breeds managed in extensive Australian production systems.”  Animal Production Science 54 (1) 25-36  doi: org/10.1071/AN12421.

Johnston, D J; Corbet, N J; Barwick, S A; Wolcott, M L and Holroyd, R G (2014).  “Genetic correlations of young bull reproductive traits and heifer puberty traits with female reproductive performance in two tropical beef genotypes in northern Australia.”  Animal Production Science 54 (1):74-84  doi: org/10.1071/AN13044.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Barwick, S A; Corbet, N J and Williams, P J (2014).  “The genetics of cow growth and body composition at first calving in two tropical beef genotypes.”  Animal Production Science 54 (1):37-49  doi: org/10.1071/AN12427.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J and Barwick, S A (2014). “Genetic relationships of female reproduction with growth, body composition, maternal weaning weight and tropical adaptation in two tropical beef genotypes.”  Animal Production Science 54 (1):60-73  doi: org/10.1071/AN13012.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Barwick, S A; Corbet, N J and Burrow, H M (2014).  “Genetic relationships between steer performance and female reproduction and possible impacts on whole herd productivity in two tropical beef genotypes.” Animal Production Science 54 (1):85-96  doi: org/10.1071/AN13141.

Corbet, N J; Burns, B M; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L; Corbet, D H; Venus, B K; Li, Y; McGowan, M R; Holroyd, R G (2013).  “Male traits and herd reproductive capability in tropical beef cattle. 2. Genetic parameters of bull traits.”  Animal Production Science 53 (2):101–113  doi: org/10.1071/AN12163.

Walmsley, B J; Wolcott, M L and McPhee, M J (2010).  “Modelling the relationship between scanned rump and twelfth-rib fat in young temperate and tropical Bovines: model development and evaluation.”  Journal of Animal Science 88 (5):1848-1859.

Wolcott, M L; Graser, H-U and Johnston, D J (2010).  “Effects of early weaning on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Shorthorn cattle.”  Animal Production Science 50 (4):315-321.

Barwick, S A; Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Burrow, H M and Sullivan, M T (2009).  “Genetics of steer daily and residual feed intake in two tropical beef genotypes, and relationships among intake, body composition, growth and other post-weaning measures.”  Animal Production Science 49:351-366.

Barwick, S A; Johnston, D J; Burrow, H M; Holroyd, R G; Fordyce, G; Wolcott, M L; Sim, W D and Sullivan, M T (2009).  “Genetics of heifer performance in ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons and their relationships with steer performance in two tropical beef genotypes.”  Animal Production Science 49:367-382.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Barwick, S A; Iker, C L; Thompson, J M and Burrow, H M (2009).  “The genetics of meat quality and carcass traits in two tropical beef genotypes and the impact of tenderstretch on genetic and phenotypic tenderness.” Animal Production Science. 49:383-398.

Wolcott, M L, Thompson, J M and Perry D (2001). "The Prediction of retail beef yield from real time ultrasound measurements on live animals at three stages through growout and finishing." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture41(7):1005-1011.

Conference Proceedings

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J and van der Werf, J H J (2014).  “The genetics of Brahman cow weight in Northern Australia and its relationship with female reproductive performance.”  In Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, Canada, 17-22 August.  Paper 238.

Barwick, S A; Jeyaruban, M G; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L and Graser, H-U (2011).  “The impacts on selection for economic merit of including residual feed intake traits in breeding objectives and of having records available.”  Proceedings of the 19th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Perth, Western Australia. July 19 - 21. pp.43-46.

Jeyaruban, M G; Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J and Graser, H-U (2011).  “Effect of previous reproductive status of dam on the preadjustment of weaning weight for genetic evaluation in tropical beef breeds.”  Proceedings of the 19th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Perth, Western Australia. July 19 - 21. pp.59-62.

Barwick, S A; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L; Wilkins, J F and McKiernan, W A (2009).  “Evaluation of the Angus BREEDPLAN IMF% EBV in 100d-fed Angus x Hereford steer progeny.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.484-487.

Wolcott, M L and Johnston, D J (2009).  “The impact of genetic markers for tenderness on steer carcass and feedlot exit and heifer puberty traits in Brahman cattle.”  Proceedings of the 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Barossa Valley, South Australia. September 28-October 1. pp.159-162.

Iker, C; Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J and Thompson, J M (2007).  “Genetics of meat quality traits in two tropically adapted genotypes of beef cattle 2. Influence of tenderstretching.”  Proceedings of the 17th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Armidale, Australia. September 24-26. pp.360-363.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Barwick, S A and Thompson, J M (2007).  “Genetics of meat quality traits in two tropically adapted genotypes of beef cattle 1. Genetic parameters and correlations.”  Proceedings of the 17th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Armidale, Australia. September 24-26. pp.356-359.

Arthur, P; Herd, R; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L and Barwick, S A (2006). "Genetics of growth and feed efficiency." Proceedings of 'Australian Beef - the Leader' Conference, Armidale NSW, 7-8 March, pp 53-64.

Barwick, S A; Johnston, D J; Wolcott, M L and Burrow, H M (2006). "Genetic correlations between steer and heifer, and between environments for measures of growth and live body composition in two tropical genotypes." Proceedings of the 8th World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 13-18 August. P. 03-23.

Wolcott, M L; Johnston, D J; Barwick, S A and Burrow, H M (2006). "Genetic correlations of steer growth, fatness and IGF-1 with feed intake and efficiency in two tropically adapted genotypes." Proceedings of the 8th World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 13-18 August. P. 14-05.

Wolcott, M L; Thompson, J M; Ferguson, D M; Skerritt, J W and Robinson, D L (1997). "Prediction of retail beef yield from real time ultrasound scans recorded at weaning, the commencement of finishing and pre-slaughter." Proceedings of the 12th Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Breeding and Genetics. p.734-737. (RSL Complex, Dubbo, NSW.)

Wolcott, M L; Stephens, E S; Thompson, J M and Ferguson, D M (1996). "The prediction of retail beef yield from live animal real time ultrasound measurements." Proceedings of the 21st Biennial Conference of the Australian Society of Animal Production. (University of Queensland, Brisbane) 21: p.478.

Other Publications

Johnston, D; Wolcott, M L and Graser, H-U (2009).  “Shorthorn trial Net Feed Intake (NFI) EBV.” Shorthorn Beef,February:12-13.

Wolcott, M L and Johnston, D (1999). "Real time ultrasound scanning for fat depth, eye muscle area and marbling, How good is it and what is it worth?" Proceedings of the 'Tullimba' Cattle Research Facility: Beef Technology Day. 28 May.

Wolcott, M L (2000). "Predicting retail beef yield with pre-slaughter real time ultrasound scanning measurements." Proceedings of the 2000 Armidale Feeder Steer School. (University of New England, Armidale) p.59-60.

Upton, W and Wolcott, M L (2001). "The role and power of ultrasound in predicting marbling: What value to producers and lot feeders." Proceedings of the 2001 Marbling Symposium. (Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour) p.69-72.

Upton, W and Wolcott, M L (2002). "The role and power of ultrasound in predicting marbling (2002)." Proceedings of the 2002 Armidale Feeder Steer School. (University of New England, Armidale). p.94-98.