Growth of Farm Animals

An understanding of the processes which change the size, shape, and composition of farm animals is fundamental to all aspects of production which seeks to meet human dietary and other needs. This book provides, within the limits of a student text, a broad review of how animals grow and change in shape and composition, as well as those factors which affect growth processes and which dictate the extent and direction of changes within the animal.

The presentation progresses from cell to tissue to entire animal and includes a description of those factors within the animal, particular genes, hormones, and gender, which fashion this progression, and how efficiency for production can be maximized. The main focus is on classical principles of growth and its measurement rather than on topics such as growth manipulation or molecular biology. Most of the information focuses on farm mammals, particularly cattle, sheep, and pigs. The book fills a gap in the literature by taking the reader from cell to complete animal, based on original anatomical studies and quantitative approaches which have been developed subsequently. It presents a core text for advanced undergraduate courses in animal science and production, and will be an essential acquisition for librarians in agriculture and veterinary science.