Introduction to Animal Science : Global, Biological, Social and Industry Perspective, 2nd Edition

Unique in focus and cutting-edge in content, this lavishly illustrated introduction to animal science covers the full range of topics—traditional and non-traditional—that reflect the way agriculture is changing today. By exploring animal science from a variety of integrated perspectives—biological, species, industry, society, and global—it reveals the dynamic nature of animal science and the many ways in which it is a piece of a much larger whole of agriculture and agriculture within society (e.g., how animals fit into all of society and how animals contribute to the well-being of man from a worldwide perspective). The Value of Animals to Mankind. Factors Affecting World Agricultural Structure. Worldwide Systems of Agricultural Production. Introduction to Nutrition. The Gastrointestinal Tract and Nutrition. Feedstuffs Classification. Genetics. Animal Breeding. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Animal Reproduction. Lactation. Animal Behavior. Animal Health. Vertical Integration: Beef, Pork and Poultry. Beef Cattle. Dairy Cattle. Poultry. Swine. Sheep and Goats. Horses. Aquaculture. Pet and Companion Animals. Llamoids. Rabbits. Careers and Career Preparation in Animal Science. Animals as Consumers of Grain: Asset or Liability? Food Safety and Consumer Concerns. Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. Animals in Sustainable Agriculture.

Introduction to Animal Science: Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives, Second Edition presents a complete, up-to-date discussion of the traditional disciplines that are so essential to a solid foundation in Animal Science, including nutrition, digestion, feeds, genetics, reproduction, disease, and animal behavior. Species-focused chapters include the major species (horse, dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goat, poultry. and seine) as well as the minor species (aquaculture. pets/companion animals, the lamoids, and rabbits).

However, this text is more than a traditional treatment of Animal Science. The Study of modern Animal Science also requires a comprehensive, non-traditional approach that effectively introduces the discipline as an ever-changing and integral part of every aspect of human existence—a task that is well-accomplished in this unique text by author W. Stephen Damron. In his own informal and engaging style. Dr. Damron not only covers all of the major species and their concerns but also challenges the reader to consider the many pressing interests relevant to Animal Science as it influences and is influenced by society today:

• Animnal welfare and animal rights
• Animals as consumers of grain
• Food safety
• Factors affecting world agriculture
• The value of animals to humans
• Careers in Animal Science
• The role of animals in sustainable agriculture
• Worldwide systems of agriculture production
• Biotechnology and genetic engineering
• Vertical integration

From the discussions of West Nile virus in horses to Agribusiness as a career, this new edition provides everything that is necessary for an outstanding, cutting-edge introduction to this exciting field.