Rumen Ecology Research Planning

Vegetation Dynamics, Changing Ecosystems and Human Responsibility provides an overview of vegetation dynamics, which is the science of natural, near-natural, and human-influenced changes in vegetation over time and space. We can find chapters about almost every viewpoint of this very diverse segment of our science and in connection with almost every main type of terrestrial ecosystem.

This book contains the proceedings of the XIth International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology. The papers address ruminant comparative physiology, the rumen ecosystem and metagenomics, nutrient digestion and absorption, methanogenesis, tissue metabolism and gene expression, pregnancy, lactation and growth, adaptation to heat-stress, nitrogen use, nutrition and reproduction, nutrition and welfare and nutrition for sustainable ruminant production. These topics are in line with the current challenges for animal breeding: production efficiency, meat and milk quality, environment (greenhouse gases, nitrogen use), animal welfare and health. The contributions come from research teams in 49 countries of all continents, showing a world-wide interest in ruminant nutrition and physiology. They show the latest techniques and results on ruminant nutrition physiology, including fundamental and integrative approaches, presented in the book on the following sections: (1) Digestion and absorption; (2) Metabolism and hormonal regulations; (3) Nutrition and reproduction; (4) Nutrition and welfare. Proceedings from past ISRP symposia have had a major influence on research and teaching in animal science over the years. Without a doubt, this book, which is of interest to all professionals and researchers who are concerned with ruminant nutrition and physiology, will contribute to this fine tradition.

The importance of livestock; Board of trustees; ILRI's donors in 1995; ILRI's addresses; A global livestock research institute; Moves towards a new institute; Major trends; Developing a medium-term plan; Broadening horizons; Collaboration and integration the names of the game; Live vaccine delivery systems for east coast fever; What is a live delivery system; Why live delivery systems; Progress to date; Attacking the schizont form; Where to now; Mice and cattle immune systems like chalk and cheese; Helper T cells in mice and cattle; Vital reminders; Interpreting the language of parasites; Starting from the parasite; Starting with the host; Promise for the future; GIS - a research tool and beyond; Controlling tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe; Maximising human benefits, minimising environmental costs; GIS in production-system research; Tools for research and development; Women dairy farmers in Africa; Who should extension workers by talking to; Who does the work; What are the benefits of dairying; Implications for dairy development; Ploughing with cows feasible in East African highlands; Ploughing with cows technically feasible; Farmers test dairy-draft cows on farms; Farmers emphasise milk yields; Moving into new areas with new partners; Toxin-degrading microbe release multi-purpose tree feed potential; To much, too soon; Gradual adaptation; Another string to the farmers' bow; Biodiversity - the future of world food production; Knowing what to conserve; Knowing what has been collected; Knowing what it can do; Keeping it clean; The future of world food production; A library on a disc; A technology for today; ILRI's CD-ROMs; Early days; ILRI programme and project activities in 1995; ILRI senior staff in 1995; Post-doctoral associates and graduate fellows at ILRI in 1995; Publications by ILRI staff in 1995; Financial summary.