Author: Peter J. Van Soest
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 9780801427725
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 498
Book Description
This monumental text-reference places in clear persepctive the importance of nutritional assessments to the ecology and biology of ruminants and other nonruminant herbivorous mammals. Now extensively revised and significantly expanded, it reflects the changes and growth in ruminant nutrition and related ecology since 1982. Among the subjects Peter J. Van Soest covers are nutritional constraints, mineral nutrition, rumen fermentation, microbial ecology, utilization of fibrous carbohydrates, application of ruminant precepts to fermentive digestion in nonruminants, as well as taxonomy, evolution, nonruminant competitors, gastrointestinal anatomies, feeding behavior, and problems fo animal size. He also discusses methods of evaluation, nutritive value, physical struture and chemical composition of feeds, forages, and broses, the effects of lignification, and ecology of plant self-protection, in addition to metabolism of energy, protein, lipids, control of feed intake, mathematical models of animal function, digestive flow, and net energy. Van Soest has introduced a number of changes in this edition, including new illustrations and tables. He places nutritional studies in historical context to show not only the effectiveness of nutritional approaches but also why nutrition is of fundamental importance to issues of world conservation. He has extended precepts of ruminant nutritional ecology to such distant adaptations as the giant panda and streamlined conceptual issues in a clearer logical progression, with emphasis on mechanistic causal interrelationships. Peter J. Van Soest is Professor of Animal Nutrition in the Department of Animal Science and the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University.
Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant
Author: Peter J. Van Soest
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 9780801427725
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 498
Book Description
This monumental text-reference places in clear persepctive the importance of nutritional assessments to the ecology and biology of ruminants and other nonruminant herbivorous mammals. Now extensively revised and significantly expanded, it reflects the changes and growth in ruminant nutrition and related ecology since 1982. Among the subjects Peter J. Van Soest covers are nutritional constraints, mineral nutrition, rumen fermentation, microbial ecology, utilization of fibrous carbohydrates, application of ruminant precepts to fermentive digestion in nonruminants, as well as taxonomy, evolution, nonruminant competitors, gastrointestinal anatomies, feeding behavior, and problems fo animal size. He also discusses methods of evaluation, nutritive value, physical struture and chemical composition of feeds, forages, and broses, the effects of lignification, and ecology of plant self-protection, in addition to metabolism of energy, protein, lipids, control of feed intake, mathematical models of animal function, digestive flow, and net energy. Van Soest has introduced a number of changes in this edition, including new illustrations and tables. He places nutritional studies in historical context to show not only the effectiveness of nutritional approaches but also why nutrition is of fundamental importance to issues of world conservation. He has extended precepts of ruminant nutritional ecology to such distant adaptations as the giant panda and streamlined conceptual issues in a clearer logical progression, with emphasis on mechanistic causal interrelationships. Peter J. Van Soest is Professor of Animal Nutrition in the Department of Animal Science and the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University.
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 9780801427725
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 498
Book Description
This monumental text-reference places in clear persepctive the importance of nutritional assessments to the ecology and biology of ruminants and other nonruminant herbivorous mammals. Now extensively revised and significantly expanded, it reflects the changes and growth in ruminant nutrition and related ecology since 1982. Among the subjects Peter J. Van Soest covers are nutritional constraints, mineral nutrition, rumen fermentation, microbial ecology, utilization of fibrous carbohydrates, application of ruminant precepts to fermentive digestion in nonruminants, as well as taxonomy, evolution, nonruminant competitors, gastrointestinal anatomies, feeding behavior, and problems fo animal size. He also discusses methods of evaluation, nutritive value, physical struture and chemical composition of feeds, forages, and broses, the effects of lignification, and ecology of plant self-protection, in addition to metabolism of energy, protein, lipids, control of feed intake, mathematical models of animal function, digestive flow, and net energy. Van Soest has introduced a number of changes in this edition, including new illustrations and tables. He places nutritional studies in historical context to show not only the effectiveness of nutritional approaches but also why nutrition is of fundamental importance to issues of world conservation. He has extended precepts of ruminant nutritional ecology to such distant adaptations as the giant panda and streamlined conceptual issues in a clearer logical progression, with emphasis on mechanistic causal interrelationships. Peter J. Van Soest is Professor of Animal Nutrition in the Department of Animal Science and the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University.
Ruminant Nutrition
Author: Robert Jarrige
Publisher: John Libbey Eurotext
ISBN: 9780861962471
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
Deals with feed evaluation systems, the nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock and the feeding value of a wide range of feedstuffs. This book lists about 800 typical forages, 65 crop residues and 120 concentrate and by-product feeds. It is suitable for teachers, specialist scientists and industrialists.
Publisher: John Libbey Eurotext
ISBN: 9780861962471
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
Deals with feed evaluation systems, the nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock and the feeding value of a wide range of feedstuffs. This book lists about 800 typical forages, 65 crop residues and 120 concentrate and by-product feeds. It is suitable for teachers, specialist scientists and industrialists.
Nutritional Ecology of Insects, Mites, Spiders, and Related Invertebrates
Author: Frank Slansky
Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1048
Book Description
Nutritional ecology of insects, mites, spiders, and related invertebrates: an overview; Nutritional ecology of forb foliage-chewing insects; Nutritional ecology of insect folivores of woody plants: nitrogen, water, fiber, and mineral considerations; Nutritional ecology of grass foliage-chewing insects; Nutritional ecology of phytophagous mites; Nutritional ecology of lichen/moss arthropods; Nutritional ecology of arthropod gall makers; Nutritional ecology of bruchid beetles; Nutritional ecology of seed-sucking insects; Nutritional ecology of stored-product insects; Nutritional ecology of stored-product and house dust mites; Ecology of nectar and pollen feeding in lepidoptera; Nutritional ecology of bees; Nutritional ecology of phloem-feeding insects; Nutritional ecology of wood-feeding coleoptera, lepidoptera and hymenoptera; Nutritional ecology of termites; Nutritional ecology of terrestial insect predators; Nutritional ecology of aquatic insect predators; Nutritional ecology of phytoseiid mites; Nutritional ecology of spiders; Interrelationships of nutritional ecology of parasitoids; Conspecific tissues and secretions as sources of nutrition; Nutritional ecology of ectoparasitic insects; Nutritional ecology of blood-feeding diptera; Nutritional ecology of parasitic mites and ticks; Nutritional ecology of fungus-feeding arthropods; Nutritional ecology of soil arthropods; Nutritional ecology of dung and carrion-feeding insects; Nutritional ecology of cockroaches; Nutritional ecology of ants; Nutritional ecology of wool- and fur-feeding insects.
Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1048
Book Description
Nutritional ecology of insects, mites, spiders, and related invertebrates: an overview; Nutritional ecology of forb foliage-chewing insects; Nutritional ecology of insect folivores of woody plants: nitrogen, water, fiber, and mineral considerations; Nutritional ecology of grass foliage-chewing insects; Nutritional ecology of phytophagous mites; Nutritional ecology of lichen/moss arthropods; Nutritional ecology of arthropod gall makers; Nutritional ecology of bruchid beetles; Nutritional ecology of seed-sucking insects; Nutritional ecology of stored-product insects; Nutritional ecology of stored-product and house dust mites; Ecology of nectar and pollen feeding in lepidoptera; Nutritional ecology of bees; Nutritional ecology of phloem-feeding insects; Nutritional ecology of wood-feeding coleoptera, lepidoptera and hymenoptera; Nutritional ecology of termites; Nutritional ecology of terrestial insect predators; Nutritional ecology of aquatic insect predators; Nutritional ecology of phytoseiid mites; Nutritional ecology of spiders; Interrelationships of nutritional ecology of parasitoids; Conspecific tissues and secretions as sources of nutrition; Nutritional ecology of ectoparasitic insects; Nutritional ecology of blood-feeding diptera; Nutritional ecology of parasitic mites and ticks; Nutritional ecology of fungus-feeding arthropods; Nutritional ecology of soil arthropods; Nutritional ecology of dung and carrion-feeding insects; Nutritional ecology of cockroaches; Nutritional ecology of ants; Nutritional ecology of wool- and fur-feeding insects.
Forage Evaluation in Ruminant Nutrition
Author: D. I. Givens
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851999289
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 498
Book Description
Current pressures to maximise the use of forages in ruminant diets have renewed interest in fast, inexpensive methods for the estimation of their nutritional value. As a result, a wide variety of biological and physiochemical procedures have recently been investigated for this purpose.This book is the single definitive reference volume on the current status of research in this areaCovers all forages eaten by ruminant animals
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851999289
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 498
Book Description
Current pressures to maximise the use of forages in ruminant diets have renewed interest in fast, inexpensive methods for the estimation of their nutritional value. As a result, a wide variety of biological and physiochemical procedures have recently been investigated for this purpose.This book is the single definitive reference volume on the current status of research in this areaCovers all forages eaten by ruminant animals
Nitrogen and Energy Nutrition of Ruminants
Author: Ray L. Shirley
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This comprehensive volume examines the interrelationships of nitrogen and energy nutrition of ruminants. It provides exhaustive coverage of basic concepts, applications, and new research developments. Rumen microbial activity is emphasized. The author, an expert in animal nutrition, discusses new systems of determining dietary energy requirements, the effect of processing feedstuffs, and stress factors. He reviews the availability of nutrients in grains, distillers' grain residues, oilseed meals, molasses, silages, pastures, crop residues, and aquatic plants. Growth stimulants, nutritional management of ruminants in feedlots and pastures, and the value of feed additives are also among the topics considered. The scope of coverage provided by this volume will make it the leading reference for teachers, researchers, consultants, livestock producers, feed manufacturers, and all others who are involved in ruminant feeding and nutrition. From the Preface: This volume covers research on various nitrogen and energy feedstuffs and defines terminology commonly utilized in nitrogen and energy nutrition. The utilization of nitrogen and energy in oilseed meals, fish meals, cereal grains, distillers' residues, molasses, silages, grasses, hays, crop residues, animal waste, and nonprotein nitrogen sources is discussed. Details are given on development and utilization of net energy systems, systems for balancing total nitrogen, and nonprotein nitrogen with total digestible nutrients (TDN) or energy components of ruminant diets. Discussions are presented on metabolism, feedlot, milking, and grazing trials. Growth stimulants, processing of feedstuffs, type of animal, and environmental and management factors that affect feed intake, growth, feed efficiency, and quality of product are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the contributions of ruminal microbes in upgrading forage and nonprotein nitrogen sources to higher-quality bacterial protein, as well as their ability to downgrade high-quality protein and waste nitrogen when protein is fed in excess of microbial needs. Research is presented on means to increase bypassing of the rumen to prevent nitrogen wastage when ruminants are fed concentrate diets. Contributions of ruminal microbes in utilizing cellulosic materials as lignocellulose and hemicellulose as well as starch and other carbohydrates are discussed.
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This comprehensive volume examines the interrelationships of nitrogen and energy nutrition of ruminants. It provides exhaustive coverage of basic concepts, applications, and new research developments. Rumen microbial activity is emphasized. The author, an expert in animal nutrition, discusses new systems of determining dietary energy requirements, the effect of processing feedstuffs, and stress factors. He reviews the availability of nutrients in grains, distillers' grain residues, oilseed meals, molasses, silages, pastures, crop residues, and aquatic plants. Growth stimulants, nutritional management of ruminants in feedlots and pastures, and the value of feed additives are also among the topics considered. The scope of coverage provided by this volume will make it the leading reference for teachers, researchers, consultants, livestock producers, feed manufacturers, and all others who are involved in ruminant feeding and nutrition. From the Preface: This volume covers research on various nitrogen and energy feedstuffs and defines terminology commonly utilized in nitrogen and energy nutrition. The utilization of nitrogen and energy in oilseed meals, fish meals, cereal grains, distillers' residues, molasses, silages, grasses, hays, crop residues, animal waste, and nonprotein nitrogen sources is discussed. Details are given on development and utilization of net energy systems, systems for balancing total nitrogen, and nonprotein nitrogen with total digestible nutrients (TDN) or energy components of ruminant diets. Discussions are presented on metabolism, feedlot, milking, and grazing trials. Growth stimulants, processing of feedstuffs, type of animal, and environmental and management factors that affect feed intake, growth, feed efficiency, and quality of product are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the contributions of ruminal microbes in upgrading forage and nonprotein nitrogen sources to higher-quality bacterial protein, as well as their ability to downgrade high-quality protein and waste nitrogen when protein is fed in excess of microbial needs. Research is presented on means to increase bypassing of the rumen to prevent nitrogen wastage when ruminants are fed concentrate diets. Contributions of ruminal microbes in utilizing cellulosic materials as lignocellulose and hemicellulose as well as starch and other carbohydrates are discussed.
Modeling Ruminant Digestion and Metabolism
Author: R.L. Baldwin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780412591600
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 600
Book Description
Role of mminants in human food production; Whyan animal scientist would choose to model animal systems; Basic organization of this book; Modeling principIes and terminology; Classification of models; Objectives in modeling; The modeling process I objective statements, block diagrams, equation forms and parameterization; Steps in modeling; Setting the modeling objective; Block diagrams; Formulation of mathematical statements; Development of numerical inputs; The modeling process II - solution algorithms, model evaluations and parameter estimation; Model solution algorithms; Evaluation of management and research models; Evaluation and use of analytical models for parameter estimation; Decision support software; Animal energetic models; Thermodynamic concepts in nutrition; Historical development of bases for feeding system models; Energy requirements for maintenance and production; Equations used to estimate maintenance and costs of production; Components of maintenanace; Protein and amino acid models; Current protein and amino acid systems; Analytic models of amino aicd and protein metabolism; Dynamic modeling; Biology and algebraic models of ruminant digestion; The rumen microbes and their metabolism; Balance models of ruminant digestion; An analytical model of rumen digestion; Microbial growth elements; Biology and algebraic models of growth; Classical equations for growth; Nutritional models of growth; Concepts of lhe basic biology of growth used in mechanistic models; Biology of lactation; Decent evolution of feeding systems for lactating dairy cattle; An analytical model of nutrient transactions during lactation; Dynamic models of ruminant digestion; Early dynamic models; Current dynamic models; Dynamic models of ruminant adipose tissue metabolism; Evolution of steady-state balance model; Radioisotope tracer elemets; Dynamic models of ruminant mammary metabolism; Development of model inputs and initial parameters; Descriptions of a model of mammary gland metabolism; Dynamic models of liver and viscera metabolism; Overall structure and notation; Mechanistic, dynamic models of growth; Beef growth models; Sheep growth and metabolism model; Lactation Background on MOLL Y. CSL; The program MOLL Y. CSL; Evaluation and use of a growth and lactation model; Behavioral analyses; Sensitivity analyses; Bioeconomic analyse.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780412591600
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 600
Book Description
Role of mminants in human food production; Whyan animal scientist would choose to model animal systems; Basic organization of this book; Modeling principIes and terminology; Classification of models; Objectives in modeling; The modeling process I objective statements, block diagrams, equation forms and parameterization; Steps in modeling; Setting the modeling objective; Block diagrams; Formulation of mathematical statements; Development of numerical inputs; The modeling process II - solution algorithms, model evaluations and parameter estimation; Model solution algorithms; Evaluation of management and research models; Evaluation and use of analytical models for parameter estimation; Decision support software; Animal energetic models; Thermodynamic concepts in nutrition; Historical development of bases for feeding system models; Energy requirements for maintenance and production; Equations used to estimate maintenance and costs of production; Components of maintenanace; Protein and amino acid models; Current protein and amino acid systems; Analytic models of amino aicd and protein metabolism; Dynamic modeling; Biology and algebraic models of ruminant digestion; The rumen microbes and their metabolism; Balance models of ruminant digestion; An analytical model of rumen digestion; Microbial growth elements; Biology and algebraic models of growth; Classical equations for growth; Nutritional models of growth; Concepts of lhe basic biology of growth used in mechanistic models; Biology of lactation; Decent evolution of feeding systems for lactating dairy cattle; An analytical model of nutrient transactions during lactation; Dynamic models of ruminant digestion; Early dynamic models; Current dynamic models; Dynamic models of ruminant adipose tissue metabolism; Evolution of steady-state balance model; Radioisotope tracer elemets; Dynamic models of ruminant mammary metabolism; Development of model inputs and initial parameters; Descriptions of a model of mammary gland metabolism; Dynamic models of liver and viscera metabolism; Overall structure and notation; Mechanistic, dynamic models of growth; Beef growth models; Sheep growth and metabolism model; Lactation Background on MOLL Y. CSL; The program MOLL Y. CSL; Evaluation and use of a growth and lactation model; Behavioral analyses; Sensitivity analyses; Bioeconomic analyse.
Improving rumen function
Author: Dr Chris McSweeney
Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
ISBN: 1786763346
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 603
Book Description
Reviews advances in understanding the role of different types of rumen microbiota such as archea, anaerobic fungi, viruses and the rumen wall microbial community Covers both the way the rumen processes fibre and protein and factors affecting outputs such as energy (affecting animal health), lipids (affecting meat and milk quality) and methane emissions (affecting environmental impact) Comprehensive review of the range of nutritional strategies to optimise rumen function such as the role of pasture, silage, cereal feed, plant secondary compounds and probiotics.
Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing
ISBN: 1786763346
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 603
Book Description
Reviews advances in understanding the role of different types of rumen microbiota such as archea, anaerobic fungi, viruses and the rumen wall microbial community Covers both the way the rumen processes fibre and protein and factors affecting outputs such as energy (affecting animal health), lipids (affecting meat and milk quality) and methane emissions (affecting environmental impact) Comprehensive review of the range of nutritional strategies to optimise rumen function such as the role of pasture, silage, cereal feed, plant secondary compounds and probiotics.
In Vitro Digestibility in Animal Nutritional Studies
Author: Pier Giorgio Peiretti
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039364596
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 348
Book Description
This book addresses various aspects of in vitro digestibility: • Application of meta-analyses and machine learning methods to predict methane production; • Methane production of sainfoin and alfalfa; • In vitro evaluation of different dietary methane mitigation strategies; • Rumen methanogenesis, rumen fermentation, and microbial community response; • The role of condensed tannins in the in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics; • Fermentation pattern of several carbohydrate sources; • Additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects of plant extracts; • In vitro rumen degradation and fermentation characteristics of silage and hay; • In vitro digestibility, in situ degradability, and rumen fermentation of camelina co-products; • Ruminal fermentation parameters and microbial matters to odd- and branched-chain fatty acids; • Comparison of fecal versus rumen inocula for the estimation of NDF digestibility; • Rumen inoculum collected from cows at slaughter or from a continuous fermenter; • Seaweeds as ingredients of ruminant diets; • Rumen in vitro fermentation and in situ degradation kinetics of forage Brassica crops; • In vitro digestibility and rumen degradability of vetch varieties; • Intestinal digestibility in vitro of Vicia sativa varieties; • Ruminal in vitro protein degradation and apparent digestibility of Pisum sativum; • In vitro digestibility studies using equine fecal inoculum; • Effects of gas production recording system and pig fecal inoculum volume on kinetics; • In vitro methods of assessing protein quality for poultry; and • In vitro techniques using the DaisyII incubator.
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039364596
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 348
Book Description
This book addresses various aspects of in vitro digestibility: • Application of meta-analyses and machine learning methods to predict methane production; • Methane production of sainfoin and alfalfa; • In vitro evaluation of different dietary methane mitigation strategies; • Rumen methanogenesis, rumen fermentation, and microbial community response; • The role of condensed tannins in the in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics; • Fermentation pattern of several carbohydrate sources; • Additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects of plant extracts; • In vitro rumen degradation and fermentation characteristics of silage and hay; • In vitro digestibility, in situ degradability, and rumen fermentation of camelina co-products; • Ruminal fermentation parameters and microbial matters to odd- and branched-chain fatty acids; • Comparison of fecal versus rumen inocula for the estimation of NDF digestibility; • Rumen inoculum collected from cows at slaughter or from a continuous fermenter; • Seaweeds as ingredients of ruminant diets; • Rumen in vitro fermentation and in situ degradation kinetics of forage Brassica crops; • In vitro digestibility and rumen degradability of vetch varieties; • Intestinal digestibility in vitro of Vicia sativa varieties; • Ruminal in vitro protein degradation and apparent digestibility of Pisum sativum; • In vitro digestibility studies using equine fecal inoculum; • Effects of gas production recording system and pig fecal inoculum volume on kinetics; • In vitro methods of assessing protein quality for poultry; and • In vitro techniques using the DaisyII incubator.
Ruminant Physiology
Author: Pierre Cronjé
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851997124
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 492
Book Description
The International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP) is the premier forum for presentation and discussion of advances in knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. This book brings together edited versions of the keynote review papers presented at the symposium.
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851997124
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 492
Book Description
The International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISRP) is the premier forum for presentation and discussion of advances in knowledge of the physiology of ruminant animals. This book brings together edited versions of the keynote review papers presented at the symposium.
The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem
Author: P.N. Hobson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400914539
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 741
Book Description
The Preface to the first edition of this book explained the reasons for the publication of a comprehensive text on the rumen and rumen microbes in 1988. The microbes of the ruminant's forestomach and those in related organs in other animals and birds provide the means by which herbivorous animals can digest and obtain nutriment from vegetation. In turn, humans have relied, and still do rely, on herbivores for much of their food, clothing and motive power. Herbivores also form the food of carnivorous animals and birds in the wild. The importance of the rumen microorganisms is thus apparent. But, while a knowledge of rumen organisms is not strictly neces sary for the normal, practical feeding of farm animals, in recent years there has been much more emphasis on increasing the productivity of domesti cated animals and in rearing farm animals on unusual feedstuffs. Here, a knowledge of the reactions of the rumen flora, and the limits to these reactions, can be invaluable. In addition, anaerobic rumen-type microor ganisms are found in the intestines of omnivores, including humans, and can be implicated in diseases of humans and animals. They are also found in soils and natural waters, where they playa part in causing pollution and also in reducing it, while the same organisms confined in artificial systems are essential for the purification of sewage and other polluting and toxic wastes.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400914539
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 741
Book Description
The Preface to the first edition of this book explained the reasons for the publication of a comprehensive text on the rumen and rumen microbes in 1988. The microbes of the ruminant's forestomach and those in related organs in other animals and birds provide the means by which herbivorous animals can digest and obtain nutriment from vegetation. In turn, humans have relied, and still do rely, on herbivores for much of their food, clothing and motive power. Herbivores also form the food of carnivorous animals and birds in the wild. The importance of the rumen microorganisms is thus apparent. But, while a knowledge of rumen organisms is not strictly neces sary for the normal, practical feeding of farm animals, in recent years there has been much more emphasis on increasing the productivity of domesti cated animals and in rearing farm animals on unusual feedstuffs. Here, a knowledge of the reactions of the rumen flora, and the limits to these reactions, can be invaluable. In addition, anaerobic rumen-type microor ganisms are found in the intestines of omnivores, including humans, and can be implicated in diseases of humans and animals. They are also found in soils and natural waters, where they playa part in causing pollution and also in reducing it, while the same organisms confined in artificial systems are essential for the purification of sewage and other polluting and toxic wastes.