Darren S. Seidel - Böcker

This specially curated collection features four reviews of current and key research on metabolic disorders in dairy cattle.The first chapter reviews the prevalence, etiology and effects of ruminal acidosis, as well as ways to counteract it through regulation of ruminal pH. The chapter includes a case study on subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) in the post-partum phase of the transition period.The second chapter assesses the main pathways for rumen fermentation which is a major factor in efficient transformation of nutrients. It discusses factors influencing the efficiency of microbial growth as well as the interactions between rumen energy and nitrogen metabolism in ensuring efficient digestion and avoiding metabolic disorders.The third chapter investigates the genetics of improving feed intake efficiency which has significant potential in reducing metabolic disorders. The chapter reviews key challenges in developing genomic selection indices for feed intake, including recording feed intake, pooling genetic data and establishing genomic breeding values for feed efficiency.The fourth chapter discusses how cereal grains impact feed efficiency in cattle. It reviews how cereal grains can be used to improve feed efficiency and the microbiology of cereal grain fermentation. The chapter also discusses ways of avoiding acidosis and other negative feed effects.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on antibiotics in poultry production.The first chapter places the use of antibiotics in poultry production in its historical context to understand the benefits that antibiotics have conferred on animal production to date. It considers past, present and future use of antibiotics, focusing on the use of bacteriocins and phytochemicals.The second chapter considers the benefits and repercussions of the use of antibiotics in poultry production. It details the emergence of antibiotic resistance, as well as the potential risks to public health and sustainable farming associated with antibiotic use.The third chapter reviews the identification and use of prebiotics as a control measure against contamination of poultry products. The chapter covers both traditional prebiotic compounds such as fructooligosaccharides, and less conventional sources such as guar gum.The final chapter presents the background and current use of Competitive Exclusion (CE) as a preventative measure against Salmonella infections in poultry, by administration ofcultures of intestinal origin to day-old chickens.