Kiro Petrovski

Associate Professor Kiro Petrovski

Associate Professor of Ruminant Health

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Originally from Europe, I started working with dairy cows at age 11. With a lifelong interest in animals and animal health, after completing my undergraduate education I worked for 2.5 years as a veterinary practitioner in Europe with production animals and occasionally companion animals, before migrating to New Zealand. I then worked as a veterinarian for 3.5 years mainly in mixed animal practice, with a special interest in production animals, before taking up the position of Senior Research Officer with special interest in lactational physiology and bovine mastitis at the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. From November 2010 my research position was transferred to a Lecturership position.
I have developed an interest in teaching and from 2006 have taught into the undergraduate degrees in veterinary and agricultural sciences at Massey University. My research interests included lactational physiology and pathology, the development of drugs and preventive measures for bovine mastitis and improving the fertility of dairy cattle.
In January 2012, I moved to a position of Senior Lecturer in Ruminant Health (Cattle) at the University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus. From April 2017, I accepted a position of Associate Professor in Ruminant Health and Production at the same University. My current research interests include bovine lactational physiology and pathology, the development of drugs, preventive measures for bovine mastitis, improving the fertility and productivity of cattle, herd health and production and antimicrobial resistance.
As recognition of my research in the area of lactational physiology and pathology, I was a co-leader of the Mastitis Research Centre team at Massey University (2006 – 2012) together with Prof Norman Williamson. My current research attracts international collaborations with teams from Argentina, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and the USA, and as recognition of my research activity, I am reviewing papers for prestigious international journals.

Biography/ Background

Originally from Europe, I started working with dairy cows at age of 11. With a lifelong interest in animals and animal health, after completing my undergraduate education I worked for 2.5 years as a veterinary practitioner in Europe with production animals and occasionally companion animals, before migrating to New Zealand. I then worked as a veterinarian for 3.5 years mainly in mixed animal practice, with a special interest in production animals, before taking up the position of Senior Research Officer with special interest in lactational physiology and bovine mastitis at the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. From November 2010 my research position was transferred in a Lecturership position. From January 2012 I moved to Australia to take up a position of Senior Lecturer in Production Animal Health/ Ruminant heath.

Research Interests

  • Cattle health and production
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility of mastitis-causing organisms.
  • Aetiology and epidemiology of mastitis.
  • Economics of mastitis.
  • Immunity of the mammary gland.
  • Difference in the incidence of mastitis between conventional and organic farms.
  • Herd level disorders importance and prevalence.
  • Studies for the development, registration and marketing of conventional and alternative veterinary medicines for the treatment of mastitis, prevention of mastitis or improving bovine fertility.
  • Predictability of health events using precision technologies
  • Food safety with particular interest in viable but non-cultarable bacteria

2022: MDC Circa $2M - CI

2020: Davies Research Centre (AU99,997) - CI

2020: MLA feedlot research funding scheme (AU70,000) - CI

2019: MLA feedlot research funding scheme (AU483,062) - CI

2016: ARC Linkage Grant (AU$384,826 out of 1,276,826 project) - PI

2015: Luoda Pharma (AU$119,000) - CI

2014: Luoda Pharma (AU$287,000) - CI

2013: Luoda Pharma (AU$254,000) - CI

2012 BioSA (AU$50,000) - CI

2010 to 2012 Bayer Animal Health New Zealand Ltd (NZ$994,000) - CI

2010 Homeopathic Farm Support Ltd (NZ$17,410) - CI

2007-2010 Technology Business Grant of New Zealand’s government (NZ$1,800,000 out of NZ$3,400,000 project) - CI

2006-2010 Bomac Ltd (NZ$1,140,000) - PI

2006-2010 Dairy Insight NZ (NZ$10.000 out of NZ$1,500,000 project) – AI

2005 Northland Community Foundation (NZ$21,000) - CI

2005 Northern Wairoa Vet Club (NZ$14,000) and Dargaville Field Days (NZ$1,000) - CI

The University of Adelaide Teaching

Teaching and examining the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students in the following:

Cattle: Animal handling, Cattle health and production, Herd health, Clinical practice, Mastitis, Disorders of various body systems of cattle, Research management projects, Calf and heifer rearing, Clinical examination of calves and adult cattle, Dealing with problem herds, Field trips, Clinical procedures, and Veterinary Medicines for use in cattle health and production.

Small ruminant and pseudoruminants: Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery, Clinical examination, Clinical and Surgical techniques. Population medicine and management.

Pharmacology and legislation Antimicrobial chemotherapy. Prescribing and use of medicines in production animal practice.

Clinical service duties in the Production Animal Health Centre.

Teaching and examining the Bachelor of Vet BioSciences, Agricultural Sciences and Animal Sciences undergraduate students in the following:

Animal handling, Biochemistry of lactation, Cattle health and production, Herd health, Clinical practice, Mastitis, Clinical examination of calves and adult cattle, and Field trips.

Teaching Honours students in the following:

EndNote and research skills

Examining presentations, literature reviews, research proposals, reports, dissertations and theses for Honours, Masters and PhD level students.

Massey University Teaching

Teaching and examining the Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences undergraduate students in the following:

Animal handling, Physiology of lactation, Microbiology, Cattle health and production, Herd health, Clinical practice, Milking machines, Mastitis, Clostridial diseases, Ketosis, Calf rearing, Clinical examination of calves and mature cattle, Dealing with problem herds, Field trips, Registered Veterinary Medicines, Veterinary Prescriptions, and Rosters

Teaching and examining the Bachelor of Animal Sciences undergraduate students in the followings:

Dairy Production, Physiology of lactation, milk quality, and Milking machines and mastitis

Teaching the undergraduate students enrolled in Diploma of Veterinary Nursing in the following:

Animal handling, mastitis.

Teaching the undergraduate students enrolled in Bachelor of Veterinary Technician in the following:

Animal handling, mastitis, mastitis management.

Examining reports, dissertation and thesis for honours, PostGraduate Diploma and Masters level students.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Co-Supervisor Reduction of Methane Emissions in Southern Australian Beef Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kellie May Wenham
    2024 Co-Supervisor Evaluating the maternal supplementation of bromoform to twin-bearing Merino ewes and their progeny Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tianna Rianne Boyce
    2024 Principal Supervisor Effects of maternal nutrition on piglet's survival, growth and performance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thien Dinh Van
    2023 Co-Supervisor Identification of a recessive genetic mutation causing a female sub-fertility in a herd of Limousin cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rachael Louise Hofmeyer
    2022 Co-Supervisor Non-injection administration of GnRH for control of ovarian function Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr A H M Musleh Uddin
    2022 Principal Supervisor Advanced techniques for diagnosing the aetiology of the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Gebremeskel Mamu Werid
    2020 Principal Supervisor Effects of colostrum intake on fertility and milk production in dairy cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Rebel Skirving
    2020 Co-Supervisor Molecular Biology of Mycoplasama Hyopneumoniea and Mycoplasma Flocculare in Respiratory Diseases of Porcine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Raziallah Jafari Jozani
    2019 Co-Supervisor Colostrum Quality in Merino Ewes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Bianca Agenbag

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and enterococci isolated from beef cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Yohannes Equar Messele
    2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Transfer of Colostrum Components to Newborn Calves Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Hue Thi Do
    2015 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Improved Diagnostics and Further Investigations of Bovine Mastitis Caused by Mollicutes Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Abd Al-Bar Ahmed Noori Al-Farha
    2014 - 2024 Principal Supervisor The Aetiology and Epidemiology of Rib Fractures in Lambs in South Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Colin Trengove
    2013 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Altruism, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations: Learnings from a Veterinary Context about Entrepreneurial Intentions for Socially Purposed Business Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Adele Mander Feakes

  • Mentoring
    Date Topic Location Name
    2018 - 2020 Visiting PhD for Cairo University, Egypt: Antimicrobial resistance genes in milk of cattle origin The University of Adelaide Eman Taher Mostafa
    2015 - 2020 Rib fractures in lambs in South Australia The University of Adelaide Colin Trengove

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2014 - ongoing Member Veterinary Surgeon Board of South Australia VSBSA Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Member Animal Ethic Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Chair DVM Program Management Committee School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member Learning and Teaching Management Committee School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2014 - ongoing Member American Dairy Society Association United States
    2014 - ongoing Member British Cattle Vets Association United Kingdom
    2012 - ongoing Member Australian Veterinary Association Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Australian Cattle Vets special interest branch of the AVA Australia
    2011 - 2012 Member Registration Committee of the Veterinary Council of New Zealand New Zealand
    2010 - 2012 Member National Mastitis Advisory Committee New Zealand
    2010 - 2012 Member AgResearch Grassland Animal Ethics Committee New Zealand
    2006 - 2012 Member National Mastitis Council United States
    2006 - 2012 Member New Zealand Society of Animal Production New Zealand
    2003 - ongoing Member New Zealand Veterinary Association New Zealand
    2003 - ongoing - Dairy Cattle Veterinarians Special Interest Branch of the NZVA -
    2003 - ongoing Member New Zealand Veterinary Association New Zealand

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2015 - 2018 Editor-In-chief Journal of Animal and Poultry Sciences Journal of Animal and Poultry Sciences Turkey
    2012 - ongoing Board Member Macedonia Veterinary Review Ss.Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of

  • Offices Held
    Date Office Name Institution Country
    2017 - 2020 Head Of Department of Animal Production and Health The Universtity of Adelaide Australia
  • Position: Associate Professor of Ruminant Health
  • Phone: 83131492
  • Email: kiro.petrovski@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: J.S. Davies, floor G
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
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