Animal Nutrition: From Theory to Practice

Description

Nutrition is the key driver of animal health, welfare and production. In agriculture, nutrition is crucial to meet increasing global demands for animal protein and consumers' demands for cheaper meat, milk and eggs and higher standards of animal welfare. For companion animals, good nutrition is essential for quality and length of life. Animal Nutrition examines the science behind the nutrition and feeding of the major domesticated animal species: sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle, deer, goats, pigs, poultry, alpacas, horses, dogs and cats. It includes introductory chapters on digestion and feeding standards, followed by chapters on each animal containing information on digestive anatomy and physiology, evidence-based nutrition and feeding requirements and common nutritional and metabolic diseases. Clear diagrams, tables and breakout sections make this text readily understandable, and it will be of value to tertiary students of animal nutrition and to practicing veterinarians, livestock consultants, producers and nutritionists. Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgements About the author 1 Introduction to animal nutrition Why is an understanding of animal nutrition important? Digestive systems in animals Analysis of nutrients in feeds Matching the energy requirements of animals with energy in feeds Essential nutrients Dose responses of animals to nutrients and mechanisms of nutrient regulation Integrated biochemistry of animal metabolism References 2 Digestion in the mono-gastric animal Introduction Anatomy and histology of the mono-gastric digestive tract Secretions of the mono-gastric gastrointestinal tract Absorption of digestion products in mono-gastric animals The gut microbiome References 3 Digestion in the ruminant animal Introduction Gross anatomy of the ruminant digestive tract Reticulo-rumen motility, eructation, rumination and digesta movements Functions of the omasum and abomasum Microbiology of the reticulo-rumen Nutrient supply from the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants References 4 Feeding standards for animals Introduction Feed formulation principles The Pearson’s Square: a simple way of making simple rations Feed intake regulation and prediction in animals Energy systems for ruminants and camelids Energy systems for pigs and poultry Energy systems for horses Energy systems for pigs and poultry Energy systems for cats and dogs Protein systems for ruminants Protein systems for pigs and poultry Protein systems for horses Protein systems for cats and dogs References 5 Grazing animal nutrition Introduction Components of the grazing system Seasonal patterns of forage production in temperate, Mediterranean, tropical and arid regions The feeding value of pasture plants Feeding behaviour of grazing animals Supplementation of grazing herbivores Grazing and pasture management for sustainable animal production Deleterious factors in rangeland and pasture forages Common nutritional and metabolic diseases of grazing animals References 6 Sheep and goat nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of sheep and goats Comparative feeding behaviour and digestive physiology of sheep and goats The energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of sheep and goats Nutrition and wool growth Common nutritional and metabolic diseases of sheep and goats References 7 Beef cattle nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of beef cattle The energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of beef cattle Feedlot nutrition Common nutritional and metabolic diseases of beef cattle References 8 Dairy cattle nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of dairy cattle Milk composition Biochemistry of milk synthesis The energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of dairy cattle Designing and maintaining a feeding program for dairy cattle Feeding replacement dairy heifers Common nutritional and metabolic diseases of dairy cows References 9 Camelid nutrition Introduction Structure and function of the digestive system in camelids Digestive physiology of camelids Metabolism in camelids Energy and protein requirements of camelids Mineral and vitamin requirements of camelids Common nutritional and metabolic diseases of camelids References 10 Deer nutrition Introduction Structure and function of the digestive system in deer Digestive physiology of deer Metabolism in deer Energy requirements of deer Protein requirements of deer Mineral and vitamin requirements of deer References 11 Dog and cat nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of dogs and cats The energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of dogs and cats Issues in dog and cat nutrition References 12 Horse nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of horses The energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements of horses Common nutritional and metabolic diseases in horses References 13 Pig nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of pigs Feed intake regulation in pigs The energy and protein requirements of pigs Mineral and vitamin requirements of pigs Feeding programs for different classes of pigs Feed additives to stimulate gut health in young pigs Post-weaning diarrhoea in early-weaned pigs References 14 Poultry nutrition Introduction Digestive anatomy and physiology of chickens Energy, amino acid, vitamin and mineral requirements of meat birds Energy, amino acid, vitamin and mineral requirements of growing pullets and laying hens Common nutritional and metabolic diseases in poultry References Index