In an ever changing market, ruminant milk and meat production must continually develop cost-effective ways to promote animal health, performance and product safety. Food safety and traceability, as well as animal welfare are beginning to play key roles in consumer decisions. However, these deliverables can often increase already excessive production costs meaning that producers must look to new technologies, such as nutritional solutions, in order to maximise production efficiency. The link between animal nutrition and health is well founded and now needs to be exploited further in order to ensure a progressive industry. It is becoming clear that nutritional influences at pivotal stages in dairy and beef production can positively impact rumen and gut health and, subsequently, performance. There has been particular focus on transition period and antioxidant nutrition, acknowledging the changing needs of the modern, high-producing animal. The threat of mycotoxins highlights the issue of climate change and its impact on modern animal production. Solutions are required that minimise or eliminate that threat if the issue is to remain and effective knowledge transfer initiatives must be integrated into all advisory services. ‘Ruminant formula for the future: nutrition or pathology? Elevating performance and health’ unites the relevant expertise of researchers from across the globe. Pertinent topics, such as calf management and cow lameness are discussed in conjunction with novel protocols aimed at the reduction of production pathologies and the promotion of rumen and gut health. This book is aimed at nutritionists, veterinarians, consultants and animal producers, as well as animal and biological science researchers and students.

Proper formulation of diets for small ruminants depends on adequate knowledge of their nutrient requirements.

"This publication represents a revision of the report entitled 'Feeding standards for Australian livestock. Ruminants' that was issued in 1990 by CSIRO Publishing in conjunction with the Standing Committee on Agriculture"--Introduction.

This book is intended to be a companion volume to 'Protein Nutrition in Ruminants' (1982, Academic Press), which emphasized both the role of proteins and new systems for their evaluation. Here the focus is on energy-yielding nutrients and problems involved in evaluating them. Nonetheless in both volumes there is explicit recognition of the interdependence of energy and protein nutrition. I have not attempted to review comprehensively all the literature relating to ruminant energy nutrition and must apologize to colleagues whose work is not fully reported. Where possible tables and figures are taken from the studies of our group at the Rowett Research Institute since, if for no other reason, I am most familiar with these data. I have first considered the nutrition of the newborn and have stressed the role of behaviour 'in determining whether nutrients enter or bypass the rumen. The development of the rumen, the of anaerobic fermentation and the roles of various principles . species of rumen bacteria, protozoa and fungi in relation to different substrates, are summarized. This is followed by accounts of the factors affecting the utilization of different substrates and the v vi Preface absorption and metabolism of the end-products of fermentation and digestion, together with estimates of digestive capacity in various segments of the gut. The ruminant's requirements for energy-yielding nutrients is considered in relation to the per formance of various activities and to environmental conditions, particular attention being paid to the requirement for glucose precursors.

In this issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, guest editors Drs. Nial J. O'Boyle, John Dustin Loy, and Jessica L. Klabnik bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Genomics. Top experts provide a primer on fundamentals, applications, and implementation of genetics and genomics into ruminant practice, including articles on key genetics/genomics strategies and economic impact; sampling and laboratory logistics; beef and dairy genetic evaluations; and the role of veterinary practitioners in the genomic era in beef and dairy. - Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including genetics and genomics 101; recessive conditions in beef and dairy cattle; European dairy cattle evaluations and international use of genomic data; discovering and developing the next generation of dairy and beef genetics; new frontiers for the future of genomics; and more. - Provides in-depth clinical reviews on genomics, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. - Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

This book presents a concept for implementing a mass balance approach toward developing an effective eco-friendly, livestock farming system independent of external energy input. In this context it describes a modern, integrated farming system, and includes comprehensive technical information explaining the design and evaluation of manure management systems, and modeling and operational tools. It first discusses the mass balance operating process, highlighting the difference between imported and exported mass across the farm boundary. Estimating mass balance can provide critical information for (comprehensive) nutrient management planning and for managing the movement of nutrients and manure. It then explains the estimation of whole-farm P mass balance using a suitable model system. The subsequent chapters provide updated information on management aspects of livestock-farming and generation of multiple job opportunities, and also explore various aspects of livestock farming operational protocols like housing and management; nurture of rams, ewes and lambs, new born calves and heifers; care of buck, doe and kid- nutrition flushing; concept zero grazing-systems; disease control and management; integrated goat farming; and crop-livestock integration. Further, the book addresses crop-livestock integration; energy autonomy in cattle farming; value added biopharmaceuticals from cattle farming; CAPEX for cattle farming; concepts of cattle farming; detrimental effects of the industry; topographic and edaphic factors, and thermal stress on livestock growth and development; socioeconomic development; and water requirements for livestock. The book concludes with the most important issue in the field of agriculture and veterinary science: “Livestock Farming with Care,” describing sustainable, eco-friendly livestock farming by highlighting issues like animal feed vs. human food; agricultural GDP vs livestock, and factors affecting the sustainability of livestock farming. Given its scope, this book is a valuable resource for researchers and students alike, and will also appeal to practitioners in the field of livestock.

Greenhouse gas emissions by the livestock sector could be cut by as much as 30 percent through the wider use of existing best practices and technologies. FAO conducted a detailed analysis of GHG emissions at multiple stages of various livestock supply chains, including the production and transport of animal feed, on-farm energy use, emissions from animal digestion and manure decay, as well as the post-slaughter transport, refrigeration and packaging of animal products. This report represents the most comprehensive estimate made to-date of livestocks contribution to global warming as well as the sectors potential to help tackle the problem. This publication is aimed at professionals in food and agriculture as well as policy makers.