A survey of the literature showed that forage processing, that is grinding and pelleting, increased feed intake of ruminants. This increase, due to reduction in particle size distribution of the forage, depends mainly on forage quality, proportion of concentrates in the diet and nutrient requirement of the cow. Pellets could replace part of the concentrates; complete substitution for long forage caused digestive disorders and reduced fat content of the milk. Eating rate, microbial breakdown and production of volatile fatty acids often increased too. Processed forages offered to sheep and beef cattle depressed digestibility, which was compensated by slightly lower losses of methane and less heat production.

Studies in the Agricultural and Food Sciences: Energy Metabolism is a compilation of works on the energy metabolism in animals, especially animals of agricultural importance. The book is written by authoritative workers in the field and is divided into six parts; each chapter is based on a selected paper presented at the Eighth Symposium on Energy Metabolism held at Cambridge in September 1979. The text discusses feed evaluation; use of energy for maintenance and growth; and simulation models for energy exchange and growth. The book also covers the comparative aspects of energy metabolism; use of energy in production and lactation; and metabolic responses in the growing animal. The monograph is recommended for those who plan to study about energy metabolism of farm animals and its relationship with certain biological processes. The book will also appeal to those who develop feeds and methods that can help improve energy metabolism of farm animals.

Feedstuff Evaluation contains the proceedings of the 50th University of Nottingham Easter School in Agricultural Sciences, held at Sutton Bonington in July 1989. The book presents papers discussing a wide range of topics on the accurate evaluation of feedstuffs for livestock. Initially, systems of expressing the nutritive value of feeds are considered. Modifications to feeding value as influenced by animal factors including intake and palatability are discussed. Specific dietary ingredients, being plant polysaccharides, fats, minerals and vitamins are detailed. Prediction of the nutritive value of compound feeds and individual feeds through classical wet chemistry and the more recent NIR is assuming considerable importance in the rapid evaluation of diets. Associated with these developments is an appreciation of the relevance of both inter- and intra-laboratory variation in determinations. Finally, the need to collate information into an interactive data-base is being actively pursued. It is evident that safety of animal feeds is becoming an increasingly topical issue and the last session considered the relevance of naturally-occurring toxic factors, residues, mycotoxins and, finally, animal pathogens. Veterinarians, farmers, farm administrators, and those involved in every aspect of nutrient supply to animals will find the compendium very insightful and informative.

Provides a historical foundation as well as a review of the state-of- the-art in forage science, detailing 25 years of progress in forage quality, evaluation, and utilization, along with the latest developments and new directions for future research. The volume is divided into six sections: overview of forage science; identification and quantitative measurement of forage quality components; intake as a critical element of forest quality; role of digestion and metabolism in determining forage quality; integrating concepts affecting changes in forage quality; and improving forage quality and evaluation. No index. Member price, $36. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions. - Integrates new knowledge in animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, reproduction and management - Addresses the urgent issue of sustainability in modern animal agriculture - Provides practical solutions on how to solve the current and future problems that face animal agriculture worldwide