Prof Mariecia Fraser

PhD

Prof Mariecia Fraser

Professor in Upland Agroecosystems

IBERS

Contact Details

Profile

Head, Pwllpeiran Upland Research Centre

Additional Information

Member, Natural England Scientific Advisory Committee (2018-present)

Member, Hybu Cig Cymru Research and Knowledge Exchange Advisory Committee (2018-present). 

Council member, British Grassland Society (2016-2020)

Editor, Animal: an international journal of bioscience

Research

I have a background in animal science and grazing ecology and specialise in developing and testing management strategies for upland systems. My research interests include: species and breed differences in diet selection and ingestive behaviour, conservation grazing, nutrient supply from forages, greenhouse gas emissions from grazing animals, and the bio-energy potential of semi-natural grasslands.  I have worked with a range of animal species (sheep, cattle, goats, ponies, deer, South American camelids) and pasture types (cultivated, improved permanent pasture and semi-natural grass and heath communities), as well as fresh and ensiled alternative forages (high WSC grasses, forage legumes, brassicas, pulses and bi-crops), to deliver a range of products (meat, fibre, habitats and biorenewables).  

Research Groups

  • Agri Systems

Publications

Vallin, H, Hipperson, H, Titera, J, Jones, LE & Fraser, M 2025, 'Comparative Analysis of Pasture Composition: DNA Metabarcoding Versus Quadrat-Based Botanical Surveys in Experimental Grassland Plots', Ecology and Evolution, vol. 15, no. 4, e71195. 10.1002/ece3.71195, 10.1002/ece3.71195
Quail, M, Davies, I, Moorby, J & Fraser, M 2025, 'Comparative intake, digestibility and enteric methane emissions by growing lambs and goat kids fed a medium digestibility grass nuts diet', Animal, vol. 19, no. 5, 101489. 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101489
Quail, M & Fraser, M 2025, 'Do ewe remember? Comparative foraging behaviour of sheep and alternative livestock species in a spatial memory task', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 285, 106580. 10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106580
Donnison, I, Farrar, K, Kingston-Smith, A, Gallagher, J, Robson, P, Marley, C, Howarth, C, Lloyd, D, Fraser, M, Adams, J, Bryant, D, Yadav, R, Spittle, MJ, Thornton, J, Davies, S (ed.) & Cole, A (ed.) 2025, Innovations for a Changing World: IBERS Impact Case Studies. Prifysgol Aberystwyth | Aberystwyth University. 10.20391/e88e4cc9-0080-4e08-959b-32a02ca2cd79
Fraser, M & Thomas, A 2025, 'New thinking is needed to make the most of formerly improved upland pastures', npj Sustainable Agriculture, vol. 3, 11. 10.1038/s44264-025-00051-7
More publications on the Research Portal