BOOK
Achieving sustainable production of sheep
Prof. J. P. C. Greyling | Dr N. M. Schreurs | P. R. Kenyon | Dr E. K. Doyle | Dr Sam W. Peterson | Dr Noelle E. Cockett | Dr Brian Dalrymple | James Kijas | Brenda Murdoch | Kim C. Worley | Prof. Julius van der Werf | Andrew Swan | Robert Banks | Prof. J. P. C. Greyling | Dr D. K. Revell | Prof. M. L. Thonney | Prof. Neil Sargison | Dr Francesca Chianini | Prof. W. E. Pomroy | Prof. Gary Entrican | Sean Wattegedera | Dr R. Nowak | Dr N. J. Beausoleil | D. J. Mellor | Dr A. L. Ridler | K. J. Griffiths | Prof. K. Stafford | Prof. Paul H. Hemsworth | E. C. Jongman | Dr S. F. Ledgard | Prof. C. Jamie Newbold | Eli R. Saetnan | Kenton J. Hart
(2017)
Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
Sheep farming, whether for meat or wool, has always been an essential component in diversifying farming systems, particularly in exploiting land unsuitable for arable crops. The sector faces a range of challenges in meeting rising demand. There is an ongoing threat both from endemic and more exotic diseases. Consumer expectations about nutritional and sensory quality have never been higher. There is also greater concern about the environmental impact of animal production and animal welfare issues.
Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research addressing these challenges. The first part of the book addresses quality issues affecting meat, wool and dairy products from sheep. The book then goes on to discuss advances in breeding before reviewing ways of improving sheep nutrition, health and welfare. The collection concludes by assessing the environmental impact of sheep production and ways it can be more
effectively managed.
Achieving sustainable production of sheep will be a standard reference for animal and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in supporting sheep farming.
"The proposed book is almost encyclopaedic in coverage and includes the cream of the world's animal scientists specifically with expertise in sheep farming. The focus on sustainability is to be commended."
Emeritus Professor George F. W. Haenlein, University of Delaware, USA
Sheep farming, whether for meat or wool, has always been an essential component in diversifying farming systems, particularly in exploiting land unsuitable for arable crops. The sector faces a range of challenges in meeting rising demand. There is an ongoing threat both from endemic and more exotic diseases. Consumer expectations about nutritional and sensory quality have never been higher. There is also greater concern about the environmental impact of animal production and animal welfare issues.
Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research addressing these challenges. The first part of the book addresses quality issues affecting meat, wool and dairy products from sheep. The book then goes on to discuss advances in breeding before reviewing ways of improving sheep nutrition, health and welfare. The collection concludes by assessing the environmental impact of sheep production and ways it can be more effectively managed.
Achieving sustainable production of sheep will be a standard reference for animal and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in supporting sheep farming.
Sample content
Not sure what you're getting if you buy this book? Click on the cover image below to open a PDF and preview pages from the book. Alternatively, watch our informative video introduction.Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contents\r | v | ||
| Series list\r | xii | ||
| Introduction\r | xvi | ||
| Part 1 Quality issues\r | xvi | ||
| Part 2 Genetics and breeding\r | xvii | ||
| Part 3 Animal nutrition and health\r | xix | ||
| Parts 4 and 5 Animal welfare and sustainability issues\r | xxi | ||
| Part 1 Quality issues | 1 | ||
| Chapter 1 Factors affecting sheep carcass characteristics | 3 | ||
| 1 Introduction: sheep carcass characteristics \nand their importance | 3 | ||
| 2 Animal and on-farm influences on carcass characteristics | 6 | ||
| 3 Factors affecting dressing-out percentage \nin the carcass | 7 | ||
| 4 Factors affecting carcass composition\r | 10 | ||
| 5 Factors affecting tissue distribution in the carcass\r | 17 | ||
| 6 Factors affecting carcass shape\r | 18 | ||
| 7 Summary and future trends\r | 20 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information\r | 20 | ||
| 9 References\r | 21 | ||
| Chapter 2 Animal and on-farm factors affecting sheep and lamb meat quality | 29 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 29 | ||
| 2 Factors affecting meat quality\r | 30 | ||
| 3 Attributes of sheep meat appearance\r | 31 | ||
| 4 Palatability attributes for sheep meat\r | 32 | ||
| 5 Influence of on-farm practices on meat quality\r | 35 | ||
| 6 Influence of on-farm factors on lean meat colour\r | 36 | ||
| 7 Influence of on-farm factors on fat colour\r | 37 | ||
| 8 Influence of on-farm factors on meat tenderness\r | 38 | ||
| 9 Influence of on-farm factors on meat juiciness\r | 41 | ||
| 10 Influence of on-farm factors on meat flavour\r | 42 | ||
| 11 Summary and future trends\r | 46 | ||
| 12 Where to look for further information\r | 47 | ||
| 13 References\r | 47 | ||
| Chapter 3 Improving sheep wool quality | 53 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 53 | ||
| 2 Wool quality\r | 54 | ||
| 3 Wool production\r | 55 | ||
| 4 Selection of superior genetics and breeding\r | 57 | ||
| 5 Health and welfare management for improved wool quality | 59 | ||
| 6 Nutritional management and wool production\r | 62 | ||
| 7 Precision sheep management\r | 64 | ||
| 8 Woollen products and consumer awareness of provenance | 65 | ||
| 9 Conclusion: sustainability of the wool industry into the future | 66 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information\r | 67 | ||
| 11 References \r | 67 | ||
| Chapter 4 Producing quality milk from sheep | 73 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 73 | ||
| 3 Milking frequency\r | 82 | ||
| 4 Nutrition of growing and lactating ewes\r | 83 | ||
| 5 Weaning lambs\r | 88 | ||
| 6 Photoperiod and season\r | 89 | ||
| 7 Milk composition and quality\r | 91 | ||
| 8 Mastitis in ewes\r | 95 | ||
| 9 Future trends and conclusion\r | 99 | ||
| 10 Appendix\r | 100 | ||
| 11 Where to look for further information\r | 106 | ||
| 12 References\r | 107 | ||
| Part 2 Genetics and breeding | 113 | ||
| Chapter 5 Mapping the sheep genome | 115 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 115 | ||
| 2 Tools and resources for studying the sheep genome\r | 116 | ||
| 3 Next steps for annotating the sheep genome: overview | 119 | ||
| 4 The Ovine FAANG Project\r | 121 | ||
| 5 Additional projects and expected outcomes of the next stage of research | 126 | ||
| 6 Case study\r | 127 | ||
| 7 Summary and future trends\r | 128 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information\r | 129 | ||
| 9 References\r | 129 | ||
| Chapter 6 Advances in sheep breeding | 133 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 133 | ||
| 2 Early sheep breeding programmes: the case \nof Australia | 134 | ||
| 3 Genetic evaluation systems in sheep breeding\r | 136 | ||
| 4 Cross-breeding of sheep\r | 137 | ||
| 5 Use of new technologies in sheep breeding\r | 140 | ||
| 6 Genomic selection of sheep\r | 141 | ||
| 7 Sheep breeding objectives and target traits\r | 145 | ||
| 8 Future trends and conclusion\r | 151 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information\r | 151 | ||
| 10 References\r | 152 | ||
| Chapter 7 Improving the reproductive efficiency \nof sheep | 157 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 157 | ||
| 2 Sheep nutrition\r | 158 | ||
| 3 Animal health and welfare\r | 159 | ||
| 4 Applied reproductive technologies\r | 160 | ||
| 5 Sheep production management\r | 161 | ||
| 6 Conclusion\r | 161 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information\r | 162 | ||
| 8 References\r | 162 | ||
| Part 3 Animal nutrition and health | 165 | ||
| Chapter 8 Sustainably meeting the nutrient requirements of grazing sheep | 167 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 167 | ||
| 2 Animal adaptability to a variable nutrient supply\r | 168 | ||
| 3 Using suitable forages with different nutritional characteristics | 170 | ||
| 4 Using forages as supplements\r | 171 | ||
| 5 Forage diversity to meet nutrient requirements: a case study | 172 | ||
| 6 Forage diversity, diet diversity and productivity\r | 174 | ||
| 7 Converting a diverse feed base into a diverse diet: how animals learn about forages | 176 | ||
| 8 Summary and future trends\r | 181 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information\r | 181 | ||
| 10 References\r | 182 | ||
| Chapter 9 Sheep nutrition: formulated diets | 187 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 187 | ||
| 2 Nutrients for sheep\r | 188 | ||
| 3 Formulating sheep feed\r | 192 | ||
| 4 Feed formulation tools\r | 199 | ||
| 5 Case studies\r | 199 | ||
| 6 Sheep feed pricing\r | 205 | ||
| 7 Mixing sheep feed\r | 205 | ||
| 8 Storage and delivery of sheep feed\r | 206 | ||
| 9 Where to find further information\r | 207 | ||
| 10 References\r | 207 | ||
| 11 Appendix 1: Common feed ingredient components | 209 | ||
| 12 Appendix 2: Suggested feed components for sheep | 218 | ||
| Chapter 10 Maintaining sheep flock health: an overview | 221 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 221 | ||
| 2 The global role of farming small ruminants\r | 222 | ||
| 3 Efficiency of global ruminant livestock production\r | 222 | ||
| 4 Ecological impact of small ruminants\r | 223 | ||
| 5 Genetic improvement of sheep and technological advances | 224 | ||
| 6 Improving small ruminant production efficiency through animal health management | 224 | ||
| 7 Sheep health management\r | 226 | ||
| 8 Sheep flock health planning\r | 227 | ||
| 9 Sheep nutritional management\r | 230 | ||
| 10 Biosecurity of individual sheep flocks\r | 231 | ||
| 11 Case study: applying principles of sheep flock health planning to lamb growth rates | 234 | ||
| 12 Case study: parasitic nematode control in sheep as a globally important health management challenge | 237 | ||
| 13 Summary\r | 240 | ||
| 14 Where to look for further information\r | 241 | ||
| 15 References\r | 241 | ||
| Chapter 11 Bacterial and viral diseases affecting sheep | 245 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 245 | ||
| 2 Diseases of the reproductive system\r | 246 | ||
| 3 Diseases of the nervous system\r | 249 | ||
| 4 Diseases of the respiratory and alimentary systems\r | 252 | ||
| 5 Diseases of the skin and feet\r | 257 | ||
| 6 Multisystemic diseases and other relevant \ninfectious diseases | 260 | ||
| 7 Future trends in research\r | 262 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information\r | 263 | ||
| 9 References\r | 263 | ||
| Chapter 12 Sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites affecting sheep | 271 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 271 | ||
| 2 Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN)\r | 272 | ||
| 3 General principles of worm control\r | 273 | ||
| 4 GIN control programmes\r | 274 | ||
| 5 Targeted treatments and targeted selective treatments | 276 | ||
| 6 Selecting sheep for enhanced immunity to GIN\r | 277 | ||
| 7 Nematophagous fungi\r | 277 | ||
| 8 Utilising condensed tannins\r | 278 | ||
| 9 Copper oxide wire particles\r | 278 | ||
| 10 Vaccines\r | 279 | ||
| 11 Conclusion and future trends\r | 280 | ||
| 12 References\r | 280 | ||
| Chapter 13 Understanding and improving immune function in sheep | 285 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 285 | ||
| 2 Diseases of sheep\r | 286 | ||
| 3 Sheep vaccines\r | 287 | ||
| 4 Identification of immunological correlates \nfor vaccine design | 289 | ||
| 5 Case Study: OEA\r | 292 | ||
| 6 Conclusion and future trends\r | 295 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information\r | 296 | ||
| 8 Acknowledgements\r | 297 | ||
| 9 References\r | 297 | ||
| Part 4 Animal welfare | 301 | ||
| Chapter 14 Understanding sheep behaviour | 303 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 303 | ||
| 2 Sociality of sheep\r | 304 | ||
| 3 Sheep reproduction\r | 306 | ||
| 4 Motherhood in ewes\r | 308 | ||
| 5 Infancy of lambs\r | 311 | ||
| 6 Environmental conditions\r | 314 | ||
| 7 Case study: improving the welfare of artificially \nreared lambs | 316 | ||
| 8 Summary and future trends\r | 319 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information\r | 320 | ||
| 10 References\r | 322 | ||
| Chapter 15 Validating indicators of sheep welfare | 327 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 327 | ||
| 2 What is animal welfare and how can it be assessed?\r | 329 | ||
| 3 Welfare indicators must be scientifically validated \r | 332 | ||
| 4 Validation must include demonstrable repeatability, reliability and practicality | 336 | ||
| 5 Selected welfare indicators interpreted in terms of the Five Domains and Welfare Quality® frameworks | 337 | ||
| 6 Case study: recent evidence of validity of BCS as an indicator of hunger | 338 | ||
| 7 Summary and future trends\r | 342 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information\r | 343 | ||
| 9 References\r | 343 | ||
| Chapter 16 Improving the welfare of ewes | 349 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 349 | ||
| 2 Longevity, mortality, undernutrition and body condition score | 350 | ||
| 3 Environment and housing\r | 351 | ||
| 4 Lambing management and dystocia\r | 352 | ||
| 5 Vaginal prolapse\r | 353 | ||
| 6 Lameness and footrot\r | 353 | ||
| 7 Ectoparasites\r | 354 | ||
| 8 On-farm euthanasia\r | 355 | ||
| 9 Summary and future trends\r | 356 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information\r | 357 | ||
| 11 References\r | 358 | ||
| Chapter 17 Improving the welfare of lambs | 361 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 361 | ||
| 2 Handling and training lambs\r | 363 | ||
| 3 Lamb mortality\r | 365 | ||
| 4 Marking of lambs\r | 368 | ||
| 5 Growing lambs\r | 371 | ||
| 6 Summary and future trends\r | 373 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information\r | 374 | ||
| 8 References\r | 374 | ||
| Chapter 18 Humane transport, lairage and slaughter of sheep | 379 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 379 | ||
| 2 Animal welfare and its assessment\r | 380 | ||
| 3 Transporting sheep\r | 381 | ||
| 4 Abattoirs\r | 388 | ||
| 5 Sheep pen design: rest and recovery in lairage\r | 388 | ||
| 6 Sheep handling\r | 389 | ||
| 7 Stunning\r | 391 | ||
| 8 Safeguarding animal welfare\r | 393 | ||
| 9 Future trends and conclusion\r | 395 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information\r | 396 | ||
| 11 Acknowledgements\r | 396 | ||
| 12 References\r | 396 | ||
| Part 5 Sustainability | 405 | ||
| Chapter 19 Assessing the environmental impact of sheep production | 407 | ||
| 1 Introduction\r | 407 | ||
| 2 Environmental emissions and impacts at farm level\r | 408 | ||
| 3 Environmental emissions throughout the life cycle\r | 413 | ||
| 4 Case study: sheep production in France and \nNew Zealand | 422 | ||
| 5 Summary and future trends\r | 424 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information\r | 426 | ||
| 7 References\r | 426 | ||
| Chapter 20 Nutritional strategies to minimize emissions from sheep | 431 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 431 | ||
| 2 Plant-based approaches\r | 433 | ||
| 3 Use of additives in grazing animals\r | 435 | ||
| 4 Host-driven effects on the rumen\r | 436 | ||
| 5 Conclusion and future trends\r | 437 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information\r | 438 | ||
| 7 References\r | 438 | ||
| Index | 445 |