Dr. Susan Markus has over 30 years of extensive experience in beef cattle production
and sheep nutrition, being currently involved in a large cow/calf, backgrounding and
feedlot operation in east central Alberta. In addition, she has been a long-time leader
in her local 4H Beef Club. Having grown up on a large mixed farm (cow/calf and grain)
in northern Manitoba, Susan developed a keen interest in cows that set the path for
her future education. Susan is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta,
Dalhousie University, and regularly mentors students in various class projects and
research.
Education:
- PhD in Animal Behaviour, University of Alberta
- MSc in Ruminant Nutrition, University of Manitoba
- BSc in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan
Areas of expertise:
- Livestock production efficiencies
- Ruminant nutrition
- Precision ranching
- Genomics
- Animal behaviour
Current projects
Project: Does she stay or does she go? Heifer selection strategies using genomics and remote
sensing
Dates: 2025-2028
Funders: RDAR, Private Industry Rancher and NSERC
Project: Don't throw your profits out with the pasture water: Proactive, in-field water quality
assessment
Dates: 2026-2028
Funders: RDAR
Completed projects
Project: Precision ranching: Remote assessment of bull breeding activity under range conditions
Dates: 2021-2025
Funders: RDAR, CAP
Project: Precision Ranching for Improved Reproductive Efficiencies: Replacement breeding
heifer assessments using promising technology
Dates: 2021-2025
Funders: CAAIN, BC Industry Development Fund, BC Cattle Industry Council, Industry Ranches
(Highland Feeders, Buck Lake Ranch, MBFI)
Project: Sheep and goat vegetation management accreditation program
Dates: 2022-2024
Funders: Alberta Environment and Parks, Canada Summer Jobs, NSERC
Project: Smart hand-held device for automatic blood analysis: Innovative prediction of sheep
pregnancy and litter size
Dates: 2022-2024
Funders: CAP, RDAR, AB Innovates
