Mark McGee

Research Officer - Livestock Systems

Research Interests

Ruminant nutrition, Feed efficiency, Suckler beef cattle production

Current areas of research include:

Feed efficiency – residual feed intake (RFI);
Beef cattle nutrition and feed evaluation;
Influence of dietary factors on nitrogen partitioning in cattle;
Genotype and nutritional effects on beef heifer puberty;
Grass-based suckler-bred male beef production systems;
Calf passive immunity and health;
Suckler cow milk production modelling.

Current Projects

Presently leading a large DAFM, RSF-funded project, IdentiFEED-13/S/519. Additionally, leading five major work packages (Tasks) and joint-leader/supervisor of other work packages, within five further DAFM RSF-funded projects (FEFAN-11/S/122; BULLBEEF-11/S/322; BEEFCOW-13/S/515; €ASYCALF-11/S/131; ExcessN-11/S/105). Also, actively involved in other aspects of the beef cattle research programme within AGRIC.

Education

B.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., Dip. Adv. Mgt., M.B.A. from University College Dublin

Career

2017-present: Principal Research Scientist, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange
2008-2017: Senior Research Scientist, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange
2005-2008: Research Scientist (Permanent), Teagasc, Grange Beef Research Centre.
2002-2005: Research Scientist (Contract), Teagasc, Grange Beef Research Centre.
2000-2002: Technical Manager, IAWS Group plc, Dublin, Ireland.
1997-2000: Technical Executive, IAWS Group plc, Dublin, Ireland.

Students

Keane, M.P., McGee, M., O’Riordan, E.G., Kelly, A.K. and Earley, B. 2017. Effect of space allowance and floor type on performance, welfare and physiological measurements of finishing beef heifers. Animal (doi:10.1017/S1751731117001288). (Published online).

Mezgebo, G.B., Monahan, F.J., McGee, M., O’Riordan, E.G., Picard, B., Richardson, R.I. and Moloney, A.P. 2017. Biochemical and organoleptic characteristics of muscle from early and late maturing bulls in different production systems. Animal 11:9, 1636–1644.

Kelly, A.K., Lawrence, P., Earley, B., Kenny, D.A. and McGee, M. 2017. Stress and immunological response of heifers divergently ranked for residual feed intake following an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 8: 65.

Dunn, A., Ashfield, A., Earley, B., Welsh, M., Gordon, A., McGee, M., and Morrison, S. 2017. Effect of concentrate supplementation during the dry period on colostrum quality and impact of colostrum feeding regime on passive transfer of immunity, calf health and performance. Journal of Dairy Science 100: 357-370.

Johnston, D., Kenny, D.A., McGee, M., Waters, S.M., Kelly, A.K. and Earley B. 2016. Electronic feeding behavioural data as indicators of health status in dairy calves. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 55: 159-168.

McDonnell, R.P., Hart, K.J., Boland, T.M., Kelly, A.K., McGee, M. and Kenny, D.A. 2016. Effect of divergence in phenotypic residual feed intake on methane emissions, ruminal fermentation and apparent whole-tract digestibility of beef heifers across three contrasting diets. Journal of Animal Science 94: 1179–1193.

Kelly, A.K., Earley, B., McGee, M., Fahey, A.G. and Kenny, D.A. 2016. Endocrine and hematological responses of beef heifers divergently ranked for residual feed intake following a bovine corticotrophin-releasing hormone challenge. Journal of Animal Science 94: 1703–1711.

Keane, M.P., McGee, M., O’Riordan, E.G., Kelly, A.K. and Earley, B. 2015. Effect of floor type on hoof lesions, dirt scores, immune response and production of beef bulls. Livestock Science 180: 220–225.

Fitzsimons, C., Kenny, D.A., Waters, S., Earley, B. and McGee, M. 2014. Effects of phenotypic residual feed intake on response to a glucose tolerance test and gene expression in the insulin signalling pathway in longissimus dorsi in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 92: 4616–4631.

McGee, M., Drennan, M.J. and Crosson, P. 2014. Effect of concentrate feeding level in winter and turnout date to pasture in spring on biological and economical performance of weanling cattle in suckler beef production systems. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 53: 1-19.

Fitzsimons, C., Kenny, D.A. and McGee, M. 2014. Visceral organ weights, digestion and carcass characteristics of beef bulls differing in residual feed intake offered a high concentrate diet. Animal 8:6, 949–959.

Wheadon, N.M., McGee, M., Edwards, G.R. and Dewhurst, R.J. 2014. Plasma nitrogen isotopic fractionation and feed efficiency in growing beef heifers. British Journal of Nutrition 111: 1705–1711.

Fitzsimons, C., Kenny, D.A., Fahey, A.G. and McGee, M. 2014. Feeding behaviour, rumen fermentation variables and performance of pregnant beef suckler cows differing in phenotypic residual feed intake offered grass silage. Journal of Animal Science 92: 2170–2181.

Fitzsimons, C., McGee, M., Keogh, K., Waters S.M. and Kenny, D.A. 2017. Molecular Physiology of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Chapter 6, p120-162. In: Biology of Domestic Animals, (Eds., Colin G. Scanes and Rodney A. Hall), CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, 370 pages, ISBN 9781498747851.

Moloney A.P. and McGee, M. 2017. Factors influencing the growth of meat animals. Chapter 2, p19-47, In: Lawrie’s Meat Science, 8th Edition, (Ed. Fidel Toldrá), Elsevier Woodhead Publishing, 713 pages, ISBN: 978-0-08-100694-8.