Book reciews
345
Animal nutrition
Animal Nutrition, P. McDonald, R.A. Edwards, J.F.D. Greenhalgh and CA. Morgan,
Longman, New York, Fifth Edition, 1995, 607 pp., price g24.99, ISBN O-582-21927-2.
This is the fifth revised edition of a book which is designed for students, nutritionists,
zootechnicians
and others interested in the theory and practice of animal nutrition. The
changes in comparison with previous editions concern mainly the chapters that deal with
quantitative nutrition in general, and systems of feed evaluation in particular. The book
has excellent introductory chapters dealing with the theoretical aspects of the chemical
composition of feeds, their nutrient content and composition. Their importance in animal
digestion processes, metabolism, utilization in the context of different types of animal
production (carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and other nitrogenous compounds, vitamins, minerals and enzymes) is discussed. This fundamental knowledge is
given precisely, in a manner easy to understand and in adequate form in accordance with
modem animal nutrition science.
Feed evaluation
systems are covered by four chapters that describe the system
expressing energy and protein value of foods for ruminants, pigs and poultry. The large
number of tables and diagrams is helpful in better understanding
even complicated
processes of nutrient metabolism. The principles of the ARC feed evaluation system are
described in detail. Other systems in use in Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,
Italy. the Netherlands and Switzerland) are, unfortunately, only just mentioned. Even a
short description of these systems and comparison of their good and weak points would
be welcome in the next edition of the book. Feeding standards are also described for
different animals and types of production, reproduction
and lactation. Problems of
voluntary feed intake, properties and feeding value of different types of feeds, such as
grass and forage crops, silages, hay and straw, roots, cereal grains and by-products,
protein concentrates are discussed. Their chemical composition with basic nutrients and
minerals, amino acids and vitamins are given in the appendix.
This book is universal and undoubtedly valuable reading for everyone who deals with
animal nutrition, both at the academic level as well as for people engaged in actual
animal production, but it can be recommended mainly for students.
J. KOWALCZYK
Institute of Animal Physiology
Polish Academy of Sciences
Instytucka Street 3
Jablonu
05 I IO Poland