Introduction to Animal Science: Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives (2nd Edition)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This book was written to provide a text for introductory courses in animal science that reflects the way animal science is today. It is not a traditional text, but rather a text that is reflective of what animal science has come to be in the modern age. The major, traditional biological disciplines and how the science of each of these contributes to the whole of animal science is included. There is information on how to feed, manage, breed, and care for animals. However, the scope of the text is much broader because the scope of animal science is much broader. This book examines how animals fit into all of society and how animals contribute to the well-being of humans from a worldwide perspective. The text takes a brief world tour to look at the various types of agriculture found around the world. It explores the uses that humans have found for our domesticated animals in addition to food and food uses. It individually considers the species of primary importance to humans. In addition, this text discusses the industries that have arisen around those species and their effects on our society and our economy. In the last 50 years or so, some profound changes have taken place in the animal industries. Traditional animal husbandry has been revolutionized. The animal industries have become less driven by tradition and more driven by business judgment and profound advances in science-based technology. Restructuring of each of the animal industries has occurred to accommodate such things as changes in the tastes and habits of consumers, the economic upheaval in the agricultural sector, and changes in the relative costs of animal products. There is also an attitude shift that recognizes the animal industries for what they are dynamic, integrated parts of a greater food-providing system that is increasingly reaching out to other countries and, conversely, being influenced by other countries. The world is an ever-shrinking place where action and reaction occur as easily half a world away as in our own backyard. This text also acknowledges humans' changing viewpoints toward the animals in our care. Profound societal changes have affected the animal industries and the people who work in them. Concerns over animal welfare, animal rights, food safety, ethical resource allocation, sustainability of agriculture as it uses the earth's resources, and other issues now affect the usage of animals in a very real way. These issues and others are dealt with in the text. There is another nontraditional aspect to this text. A more affluent population has reached for new animals and new uses for animals. Finding a lack of information available about these animals, people have turned to animal scientists and demanded information. This text provides information about species such as llamas, companion animals, and others that traditionally has not been provided in the animal sciences. These species are now a part of animal science as surely as are the cow and pig. Many of these subjects would not have been considered in animal science classes just a few years ago. This text is written with sufficient flexibility to accommodate the three major approaches to animal science the biological approach, the industry approach, or the species approach. Adding the world-view information from Part I and the societal issues from Part IV will round out all approaches. This second edition was written to accomplish several goals. First, the statistics have all been updated to retain the currency I feel is vitally important. Second, dozens of figures have been either added or improved. In addition, new information has been added to virtually all chapters, but not at the expense of making the text portion substantially longer. I wanted it better, not necessarily bigger. One important thing that did not change was the educational philosophy of the first edition. Those who used the first edition will quickly find all the things it contained, including its "flavor." Writing a textbook requires the assistance of many people. I would particularly like to thank my colleagues at Oklahoma State University for their continued support and help. Special thanks to Don Wagner, Jerry Fitch, Sally Dolezal, Dan Waldner, David Freeman, Clement Ward, Rod Geisert, Steven Cooper, Leon Spicer, Joe Berry, Bob Kropp, Archie Clutter, Brad Morgan, Bill Luce, Don Gill, Glenn Selk, Stanley Gilliland, Barbara Brown, Tom Thedford, Betty Ann Sisson, and Shon Rupert. For the second edition, Clement Ward, Udaya De Silva, Christina DeWitt, David Buchanan, and Brett Ward from Oklahoma State, Jim Horne of the Noble Research Center deserve special thanks. Through the years, these people have graciously contributed ideas, figures, photos, and text for the book; reviewed chapters; helped find obscure materials I was seeking; and offered advice on everything. They did so with grace and enthusiasm for the book and I will be forever in their debt for their contributions. Invaluable assistance was also provided by Jon Beckett of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; Robert McDowell of North Carolina State University; Temple Grandin of Colorado State University; Ronald Brown, Martin Brunson, Robert Martin, Louis R. D.'Abramo, and William Daniels of Mississippi State University; La Don Swann of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program, Purdue University; and Tony Seykora, University of Minnesota. Manuscript reviewers provided feedback that was absolutely priceless. This text is better for their efforts and their diligence is appreciated. My thanks to Thomas P Fairchild, University of New Hampshire; Joe Gotti, Stephen R Austin State University; Donald W. Kennedy, Arkansas State University; Anthony T. Mallilo, University of Rhode Island; John Mendes, Modesto Junior College; Lori Montgomery, Pratt Community College; and Tom Pope, Cameron University. Several individuals at Prentice Hall provided invaluable assistance in ushering this book through the development and publishing stages. I would like to thank Debbie Yarnell and Mary Carnis. Most special thanks go to Kate Linsner. I simply couldn't do without her. Many thanks also to Lori Dalberg of Carlisle Communications, Ltd., for her efforts. Finally, a special thanks is extended to my wife, Rebecca L. Damron, professor of English at Oklahoma State University, who continues to provide assistance in response to "Hey Hon, will you read this and tell me what you think?" and "Hon, how do you spell . . . ?" aign="right"> W. Stephen Damron, Ph.D. Oklahoma State University
From the Back Cover
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:
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.
Introduction to Animal Science: Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives (2nd Edition)
Introduction to Animal Science: Global, Biological, Social, and Industry Perspectives (2nd Edition),W. Stephen Damron,Prentice Hall,0130449970,Agriculture - Animal Husbandry,Animal Science (General),Animal industry,Animals,Livestock,Nature,Science/Mathematics,Technology & Industrial Arts,Animal husbandry,Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
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