Applied Animal Feed Science and Technology

Book excerpt: 'Applied Animal Feed Science and Technology' explores and suggests practical ways of improving the value of animals through supplementation.It begins by refreshing the reader on the classes of feeds consumed by livestock, their digestive systems and pertinent scientific issues that the farmer and the scientist alike need to pay attention to as they strive to nourish livestock for profitable commercial production.It goes on to look at the science and techniques of supplementing dairy cows, beef, poultry, ostrich, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits and game. The author believes in Value-Added Agriculture and, as such, an attempt is made in this book to help stakeholders in the livestock industry do the same to animals through supplementation. This is vital, especially for the developing world where wealth creation through Value-Added Agriculture is still lagging behind.Dr Irvin Mpofu also gives a lot of suggestions for the 'do-it-yourself farmer'. He goes on to give details on how technology, especially biotechnology, can accentuate animal production. Feed formulation and stock feed manufacturing issues are tackled for the benefit of 'would-be' entrepreneurs, students and animal science practitioners. Dr Irvin Mpofu also believes in precision agriculture, and throughout the book he impresses upon the reader the importance of giving the right feed to the right animal and in correct quantities with minimum or no wastage. The motto of the book is that no ordinary animal should ever be allowed to produce an ordinary result.