Modelling is a useful tool for decision making in complex agro-industrial scenarios. Containing a selection of the papers presented at the International Symposium of Modelling in Pig and Poultry Production 2013, this book brings together the best and most recent academic work on modelling in the pig and poultry industry, with a particular emphasis on nutrition. It reviews basic modelling concepts, descriptions and applications of production models and new methods and approaches in modelling.

Disturbances in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by internal and external influences can cause large economic losses in both the pig and poultry industries. Traditionally, diseases and conditions of the GI tract that can cause losses have been controlled by antimicrobial compounds administered in the feed and (or) water, such as antibiotics, coccidiostats, zootechnical feed additives and trace elements such as zinc and copper. However, legislation and rulings in various parts of the world coupled with a growing sentiment to reduce the use of these compounds in the intensive livestock industries have caused a reassessment of measures to influence GI tract structure and function ('gut health'), and have caused unparalleled interest in alternative strategies (genetic, dietary, management, environmental) to effectively manage the GI tract under conditions of external and internal challenge. Despite the wide array of products and strategies available to the pig and poultry industries that influence 'gut health', a term in itself that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted, it is important that the industries continue to investigate and understand the underpinning sciences that influence GI tract structure and function, especially at critical life stages. Ultimately, the cost-benefit of adopting such practices to influence 'gut health' requires consideration.

These proceedings contain 15 papers on the recent advances in pig and poultry mechanistic modelling. Notable among the papers is the consideration of new components of the animal production process, such as social stressors and disease. Understanding of some new systems such as the physiological control of egg production in hens by modelling is the given focus in one paper. The topics covered in the other papers include the following: introduction to modelling in the animal sciences, different approaches to modelling animal systems; basic concepts describing animal growth and feed intake; modelling populations for purposes of optimization; advancements in empirical models for prediction and prescription; nutrient flow models, energy transactions and energy feed systems; evaluation of animal genotypes through model inversion; considerations for representing microenvironmental conditions in simulation models for broiler chickens; use of physiological models to define environmental control strategies; comparison of pig growth models from the genetic point of view; model of metabolism in the sow; and place of models in the new technologies of production systems.

Each of these popular handbooks contains comprehensive information on the nutritional needs of domestic animals and includes extensive tabular data. All are paperback and 8 1/2 x 11. Some books come with diskettes or Cds that allow users to predict nutrient requirements of specific animals under various conditions and at various life stages.

To meet growing demand, the FAO has estimated that world poultry production needs to grow by 2-3% per year to 2030. Much of the increase in output already achieved has been as a result of improvements in commercial breeds combined with rearing in more intensive production systems. However, more intensive systems have increased the risk of transmission of animal diseases and zoonoses. Consumer expectations of sensory and nutritional quality have never been higher. At the same time consumers are more concerned about the environmental impact of poultry production as well as animal welfare. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research on poultry breeding and nutrition. The first part of the book reviews how advances in genetics have impacted developments in breeding. Part 2 discusses ways of optimising poultry nutrition to ensure quality and sustainability in poultry meat production. Chapters review the use of feedstuffs and ingredients such as amino acids, enzymes and probiotics as well as feed formulation and safety. Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat Volume 2: Breeding and nutrition will be a standard reference for poultry and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in poultry production. It is accompanied by two further volumes which review safety, quality and sustainability as well as poultry health and welfare.