For freshman-level introductory courses in Animal Science that reflect the way animal science is today. Animal Science used to be focused only on livestock. Today's courses include companion animals and international animals.
Innovative in content and perspective, this text offers a refreshing and engaging approach to what animal science has come to be in the modern age. It puts all of animal science into perspective by examining not only the topics traditionally covered at the introductory level (e.g., major species, nutrition, digestion, feeds, genetics, reproduction, disease, and animal behavior) but by exploring the dynamic nature of animal science and the many ways in which it is a piece of a much larger whole of agriculture (e.g., vertical integration of industry structure) 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).
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.