- Discusses research on factors affecting carcass composition and meat quality;
- Reviews advances in breeding such as the use of molecular markers;
- Summarises key developments in understanding and improving the health and welfare of sheep
Table of Content
Part 1 Quality issues
1.Factors affecting sheep carcass characteristics: Nicola M. Schreurs and Paul R. Kenyon, Massey University, New Zealand;
2.Animal and on-farm factors affecting sheep and lamb meat quality: Nicola M. Schreurs and Paul R. Kenyon, Massey University, New Zealand;
3.Improving sheep wool quality: E. K. Doyle, University of New England, Australia;
4.Producing quality milk from sheep: Sam W. Peterson, Massey University, New Zealand;
Part 2 Genetics and breeding
5.Mapping the sheep genome: Noelle E. Cockett, Utah State University, USA; Brian Dalrymple, University of Western Australia, Australia; James Kijas, CSIRO, Australia; Brenda Murdoch, University of Idaho, USA; and Kim C. Worley, Baylor College of Medicine, USA;
6.Advances in sheep breeding: Julius van der Werf, School of Environmental & Rural Science, University of New England, Australia; and Andrew Swan and Robert Banks, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England, Australia;
7.Improving reproductive efficiency of sheep: J. P. C. Greyling, University of the Free State, South Africa;
Part 3 Animal nutrition and health
8.Sustainably meeting the nutrient requirements of grazing sheep: D. K. Revell, Revell Science and The University of Western Australia, Australia;
9.Sheep nutrition: formulated diets: M. L Thonney, Cornell University, USA;
10.Maintaining sheep flock health: an overview: Neil Sargison, University of Edinburgh, UK;
11.Bacterial and viral diseases affecting sheep: Francesca Chianini, Moredun Research Institute, UK;
12.Sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites affecting sheep: W. E. Pomroy, Massey University, New Zealand;
13.Understanding and improving immune function in sheep: Gary Entrican and Sean Wattegedera, Moredun Research Institute, UK;
Part 4 Animal welfare
14.Understanding sheep behaviour: R. Nowak, INRA/Université de Tours, France;
15.Validating indicators of sheep welfare: N.J. Beausoleil and D.J. Mellor, Massey University, New Zealand;
16.Improving the welfare of ewes: A. L. Ridler and K. J. Griffiths, Massey University, New Zealand;
17.Improving the welfare of lambs: K. Stafford, Massey University, New Zealand;
18.Humane transport, lairage and slaughter of sheep: P. H. Hemsworth and E. C. Jongman, University of Melbourne, Australia;
Part 5 Sustainability
19.Assessing the environmental impact of sheep production: S. F. Ledgard, Ag Research Ruakura Research Centre, New Zealand
20.Nutritional strategies to minimise emissions from sheep: C. Jamie Newbold, Eli R. Saetnan and Kenton J. Hart, Aberystwyth University, UK;
About the author
Dr Julius van der Werf is Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of New England, Australia. He is co-Editor in Chief of the journal Genetics, Selection, Evolution and Associate Editor of the Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. He is also member of the College of Experts of the Australian Research Council.