Rational Livestock Nutrition in Rural Areas

Book excerpt: Livestock nutrition is one of the most important issue in animal production both in physiological-economic terms as well as the impact of livestock on the environment. The handbook „Rational livestock nutrition in rural areas” has been funded with support from the European Commission under Erasmus + programme – Cooperation for innovation and good practice. The book has been developed by experts in various fields of agriculture – animal nutrition and feed science, animal husbandry, agronomy and veterinary medicine. The authors of this book, originating from five different countries – Poland, Turkey, Romania, Italy and Hungary by working within the framework of the established Strategic Partnership – Vocational Education and Training have developed a comprehensive compendium aimed at transfer of knowledge, good practice and innovation in the field of agriculture with emphasis on rational nutrition of livestock. The book covers five broad issues of livestock nutrition. Chapter one – „Physiology of Nutrition”, is related to the anatomy and functions of particular organs of the farm animals’ digestive tracts, type of nutrients found in the livestock diets, as well digestion, absorption and metabolism of these compounds. An extensive characteristics of most common used in animal nutrition feeds, their processing, feed additives as well as the mechanism of their action are presented in the second chapter – „Feed and Feed Additives”. The chapter number three – „Animal Feeding Systems in Europe” in a synthetic way explains the fundamentals of commonly used feeding systems of ruminants, pigs, poultry, horses and rabbits. This chapter also provides several schemes of daily rations/concentrate mixtures formulation for various farm animal species. An extensive chapter number four is dedicated to animal welfare as well etiology, treatment and prevention of metabolic diseases in animals that livestock breeders are struggling every day. Last but not least, the fifth chapter raises issues related to livestock production in terms of environmental and legal conditions under the common agricultural policy of member countries. The possibilities of reducing the negative impact of livestock production on the environment, so called „good practices” are discussed in this chapter. The book “Rational Livestock Nutrition in Rural Areas” is intended for people involved in animal production – mainly farmers but it can also be used by agricultural and nutritional consultants, zootechnical service workers. Students of vocational agricultural schools and, to some extent, students of natural and agricultural universities may benefit this book as well.