This chapter highlights the application of genetic principles in sheep and goat breeding such as chromosome analysis, prediction of breeding values, and the use of the latest tools and technology in animal breeding.

In this chapter the factors that can cause meat quality problems during handling and transport of meat animals were discussed as well as on the importance of low-stress handling to maintain meat quality. Topics that were also given emphasis includes how on-farm conditions have an effect on meat...

This chapter reports on the production and international trade of sheep focusing on the top 10 countries based on slaughtered sheep, exported sheep, and imported sheep. This chapter also highlights the factors that can influence the effects of transport on the behavior, health, physiology, quality...

White clover (WC) (Trifolium repens L.) is a useful component of European grasslands due to: (i) its capacity to convert dinitrogen (N₂) gas to plant-available nitrogen (N) in the soil via biological nitrogen fixation (BNF); (ii) its tolerance of grazing; and (iii) its high nutritive value for...

Careful quiet handling during the last 15 min before slaughter is essential to reduce stress and maintain high meat quality. The use of electric prods on cattle and pigs, and the use of dogs on sheep, greatly increases lactate and cortisol levels. Adverse handling events that occur shortly before...

This chapter discusses the techniques used for carcass evaluation and prediction of carcass yield and composition. Focus is given on carcass weight and killing-out (dressing-out) proportion, specific gravity or density, measurements taken by ruler and probe, visual appraisal (scoring), jointing and ...

An overview on small ruminant species (sheep and goat), sheep and goat production (meat, milk, milk products, fibre, wool, mohair, cashmere, lanolin and leather), ectoparasites infesting small ruminants and skin environment is given. Focus is given on the effects of ectoparasitic infestation on the ...

Sheep and goats are farmed worldwide for meat, milk, skins and wool. This diverse range of uses means that many people rely on these animals as a source of income, food and warm clothing, though they can also be kept as pets. With an accessible structure designed for use in the field, this book...

This chapter presents the different veterinary drugs used by veterinary practioners and categorized them based on their therapeutic groups. The chapter ends with a list of medicines that the author suggests should be carried by an ambulatory veterinarian working in the UK. And since sheep and goats ...

This chapter discusses how variations in the growth of nervous, epithelial, muscle and connective tissues influence the value of animal products produced for consumption and use. Both the carcass yield and composition are considered in the discussions as well as aspects of perceived meat quality....