Improving Organic Animal Farming (Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science): 46

"Organic animal farming is growing rapidly but faces a range of challenges in areas such as nutrition, health and welfare. This volume surveys the wealth of research addressing these challenges. The book start with a review of organic principles and the key question of the right breeds for organic farming. It then discusses forage-based nutrition and animal health as well as safety and environmental impact. The volume goes on to assess different types of organic animal farming, from smallholder tropical to pastoral rangeland systems. It concludes by focussing on key issues in the organic farming of beef and dairy cattle, poultry, pigs, sheep and goats, fish and bees. Edited by two leading authorities in the field, and with an international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for all those interested in understanding, improving and promoting organic animal farming."--Provided by publisher This collection reviews key research addressing key challenges faced by organic animal farming in improving yields, animal nutrition and health. Part 1 assesses current research on environmental impact, promoting animal health, enhancing naturalness and welfare. It also reviews how organic systems fit in with agroforestry, pastoralist and other smallholder farming systems. The second part of the book includes case studies from leading experts on current research in improving the farming of particular species. Chapters review challenges and opportunities in organic dairy and beef farming, sheep and goats, pigs and poultry. There are also chapters on organic aquaculture as well as organic and natural beekeeping. With its distinguished editors and international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for all those researching organic animal farming as well as the organic livestock farmers, organic certification and regulatory bodies -- back cover Organic animal farming is growing rapidly but faces a range of challenges in areas such as nutrition, health and welfare. This volume surveys the wealth of research addressing these challenges. The book start with a review of organic principles and the key question of the right breeds for organic farming. It then discusses forage-based nutrition and animal health as well as safety and environmental impact. The volume goes on to assess different types of organic animal farming, from smallholder tropical to pastoral rangeland systems. It concludes by focussing on key issues in the organic farming of beef and dairy cattle, poultry, pigs, sheep and goats, fish and bees.

Edited by two leading authorities in the field, and with an international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for all those interested in understanding, improving and promoting organic animal farming. Safety remains a key issue for the dairy industry. This book reviews current research on understanding and managing pathogens in dairy farms. It also discusses more recent concerns about the environmental impact of dairy farming and ways it can be made more sustainable, including in developing countries.