Alternative Health Practices for Livestock

The idea that current methods of food production are not sustainable in the long-term is a controversial topic. This book provides information that will advance a form of livestock production that meets the long- and short-term goals of human food production, minimizing degradation of natural resources. Important concerns regarding food safety, particularly antibiotic and chemical residues in meat, milk and other livestock foods, have stimulated renewed interest in alternative methods of promoting livestock health. Alternative Health Practices for Livestock is the first compilation of its kind for veterinarians, agriculture extension educators and livestock producers. It provides a well-referenced overview of some of the alternative livestock practices currently being examined. Key Features: A much needed information source on alternative health for large animals Contributions from veterinarians, farmers, extension educators and university professors Discusses the necessity for more validated scientific assessments of alternative and herbal therapies in livestock production Includes chapters on ways to promote alternative methods of health care for livestock, including steps to obtain research funding.

Table of Contents:
Contributors. Introduction. Section one: Science of alternative methods. 1. Evaluation of an Alternative Therapy for Subclinical Mastitis in Lactating Holstein Cows -Sheila M. Andrew and Robin R. Rastani. 2. Potential Role of Amazonian Medicinal Plants for Health Maintenance in Livestock -Mark J.S. Miller. 3. Botanicals for Pigs -Palmer J. Holden. 4. Evaluation of Homeopathic Nosodes for Mastitis and Calf Scours: Lessons from the Vermont Nosode Project -Lisa McCrory and John Barlow. 5. Livestock Self-Medication -Cindy Engel. 6. Alternative Methods of Controlling Parasites in Small Ruminants -Robert Godfrey and R.E. Dodson. 7. Brief Overview of Research Methods on Medicinal Plants for Livestock with a Focus on Plants for Endo- and Ecto-parasites -Jennifer K. Ketzis. Section two: Historical review of alternative methods . 8. Forage Quality and Livestock Health: A Nutritionist's View -Jerry Brunetti. 9. Livestock Treatments: Links from the Past to Holistic Alternatives of the Present -Hubert J. Karreman. 10. Herbs and Alternatives in Equine Practice -Joyce C. Harmon. Section three: Concerns about conventional therapies . 11. The Ecology of Antimicrobial Resistance and Use of Alternatives to Antimicrobials in Food Animal Production in the United States -Stephen DeVincent. 12. Use of rBST and Cow Health in the Dairy Industry -Alan H. Fredeen. Section four: Ideas to promote alternative methods . 13. Funding for Testing Alternative Livestock Methods -Randy Kidd. 14. Economics of Niche Marketing in Alternative Livestock Farming -Gary Valen. Index

About the Author :
Tom Morris is Associate Professor and extension agronomist, Department of Plant Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. He is currently the coordinator for the Professional Development Program, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Michael T. Keilty has been the owner of Maple Spring Farms located in Morris, CT, since 1974, specializing in diversified lovestock and plant production. He is currently a sustainable agriculture research associate, Department of Plant Science. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.