- Email: [email protected]
Production of hides, skins, wool and hair
100
.I. Hodges/Livestock Production Science 42 (I 995) M-103
improving growth, exogenous growth regulatory agents and general factors that affect meat quality. The choice of the topics and the rather concise form in which it is presented (most information is derived from American literature) makes the book suitable for those readers having a general and broad interest in relationships between environmental factors and growth or carcass quality. This book, however, does not provide the amount of information desired by readers with specific interest in relations between environmental factors and growth or carcass quality. In summary, the book provides a general overview of various aspects of the topic growth and can be considered a valuable asset to the literature dealing with general aspects of pig production and appears to be suitable as educational material. L.A. den Hartog and J.W.G.M. Swinkels, Research Institute for Pig Husbandry, Rosmalen, Netherlands
drawn from many different areas of the world. This helps make the book truly international in both its content and relevance. Books of this type invariably have a gestation length which is much longer than that of any of the farm species! The result of this is that some of the reviews fail to contain all of the up-to-the-minute information, particularly in the more rapidly developing areas of reproductive biology. Nevertheless, this is not a major limitation because all of the chapters are so comprehensive that they will remain valuable sources of information for many years to come. Consequently, the book will be particularly useful not only for those wishing to enter, or aheady in, the field of research in farm animal reproduction, but will be an invaluable asset for those involved in teaching animal production science, and also as a mom fundamental reference text for those engaged in development and extension work. W. Haresign, University of Nottingham, UK
Reproduction in Domesticated Animals. G.J. King (Ed.). 1993. World Animal Science Series, B9. Published by Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ISBN 0 444 89530 2. pp. 590, HB. DJI 525.00, US$328.25
Production of hides, skins, wool and hair. 0. Gtiney, 0. Biter and M.S. Ranieri (Eds.). 1993. PUDOC ScientiJc Publishers, Wageningen. EAAP publication No. 56. ISBN 90 220 1067 8A’iJGI 835/ISSN 0071 2477. Proc. of the Joint EAAP/CIHEAM/EC/C.!JZF/ MAFRA Symposium, Adana, Turkey 2-6/l 1 1991. DJ? 180.00 $12O.OOpp. 292
This particular book forms part of the series of major reference works under the title “World Animal Science” which rue designed to provide a multi-disciplinary consideration of the sciences underpinning systems of animal production. Series B volumes are each devoted to a different discipline important to animal production, of which “Reproduction in Domestic Animals” is one. According to the general preface, the editorial concept is that the series functions as a single entity, although each volume is constituted as an independent unit, suitable for separate use. With “Reproduction in Domesticated Animals” they have certainly achieved their second objective, but it is important to realize at the outset that the price of individual volumes will dictate that their purchase is likely to be restricted to libraries. Nevertheless, this should not be interpreted to imply any criticism of the contents of “Reproduction in Domesticated Animals”, for this is a book with few serious rivals. What makes it particularly useful is that it concentrates exclusively on the major farm species, as well as providing a breadth and depth to the many facets of the physiological control reproduction that few other books can match. As one might expect of a volume from a series of major reference works in World Animal Science, this book provides authoritative, fully referenced reviews covering the whole spectrum of reproductive function in farm animals. All of the individual chapters are clearly written, with excellent, well chosen diagrams, line drawing, photographs, figures and tables, as appropriate, to support the main body of the text. Topics covered (each with one or more chapters devoted to various aspects of it) include: the structure and development of the reproductive tract; the endocrine control of reproduction in males and females; reproductive behaviour, fertilization, pregnancy and parturition; immuno-reproduction, artificial insemination, embryo transfer and transgenesis; the effect of the environment, nutrition and genetics on reproduction; reproduction in poultry; reproductive performance and problems. Bach of the individuals authors ate international authorities in their respective field, and
This book reports the -dings of the Symposium held in Adana, Turkey, from 2-6 November 1991, which was organized as part of the series of Symposia jointly conceived by the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Studies (CIHEAM) . It is useful to recall that the goal of these symposia is to develop aspects of animal agriculture in the Mediterranean region which are not normally covered by other scientific meetings. The Adana Symposium was dedicated to the production and use of hides, skins, wool and hair; these are considered in the Mediterranean basin as by-products or at least of secondaryeconomic importance, in respect to the production of meat and milk. Merinos-type and semi-fine wool were not included in the Symposium. Nevertheless, among the 35 main papers, 12 concern tibres from sheep and goat. The accent is put on the Angora goats, of which Turkey is the world cradle, and also on the Cashmere. Many papers concern the strategies of development of these genetic resources outside their country of origin, where they provide possibilities of diversifying animal production for high-value products in specialized small flocks. Examples are reported for both types from Western Europe (France and Italy), to which they were imported during the last 10 years; three papers are also dedicated to the development of Cashmere goats in Australia (Ponzoni) . These reports reveal the need for a better inventory and knowledge of the original germplasm in Turkey for Angora goats and in China for Cashmere (Ryder). The originality of this book is probably not to be found in this field, despite the quality of the information and the interest of review papers on the physiological basis of wool and hair production (Allaht, Ryder), on the nutritional characteristics and feeding retommendations for producing fibre goat flocks ( Morand-Fehr), or on the objective measurements of wool (Sergent) . This publication attempts to provide information on the whole production chain: from
J. Hodges /Livestock Production Science 42 (1995) 81-103
the animal to the final processed product commodity. In fact two sub titles could have been adopted covering two main sets of reports: the. first “from skin to leather” and the second “from wool to carpets and rugs”. ht this respect this book represents real vahte in providing information from various sources difficult for a single person to collect: statistical data on the production and world trade of hides, skins and leather ( Krostitz) , analysis of the physical properties of sheep leather (Eskolin et al.), the factors which determine the quality of the raw material (animal diseases and slaughter house, Blajan) , case studies on the characteristics of the leather industry in Turkey (Kosar, Artan) and in Morocco (Eddebarh), the environmental issues of this type of industry (Sari and Yapici in Turkey; and Simoncini and Miriam in Italy) and the possible uses of by-products of the industry in agticulnne (Silva and Baffi). Two chapters are dedicated to special wool for the carpet industry, including several reports on the relation between the specific qualities of the local sheep breeds and the characteristics of the hand-made carpets in Egypt (Guirguis), Turkey (Erdem et al.), Algeria (Benyoucef) , Morocco (Bourfia et al.) and Italy-Sardinia ( Casu et al.). Many reports present the tradition and the various characteristics of carpets in Turkey, but unfortunately, without reproduction of the very significative photographs of the various designs and natural colours of the carpets that illustrated the oral presentation of the reports (high publication costs). The intention of the organizeis of the Symposium was to examine theextent to which the lower productivity of the animal material and production systems in the Mediterranean basin could be compensated by high-value specific and typical products (Boutonnet and Flamant). These reports provide technical information on the relation between the conditions of producing the raw material and the process by practices in order to control the performance of the whole chain. One problem was discussed which did not received answer: the extent to which the farmer could beneficiate of this final high commercial value, in order to maintain livestock activities in the difficult and marginaI Mediterranean environment? In conclusion, it may be observed that this book has the qualities and the weaknesses of the Proceedings of a good Symposium: original information rarely otherwise available, but also a lack of balance between the various subjects of interest due to an unequal quality of the reports and papers presented. Overall, this book reflects perfectly the unique opportunity given by this Symposium by the exchanges of information between the specialists of animal production and the representatives of an industry; in this case including leather industry as well as specialists of the traditional hand-woven carpet sector. Jean-Claude Flamant, INRA Toulouse, France
Improved Grassland Management. John Frame. 1992. Farming Press Books and Videos, Wharjea’ale Road, Ipswich IPI 4LG, UK. 351 pp. f14.95. ISBN 0 85326 246 3 The book, which deals only with pastures of humid temperate areas, is basedon British work and experience, with fmquent examples drawn from the work of the Scottish Agricultural Colleges; however, it contains many references to and examples from a very wide range of temperate grassland situations stretching from Canada
101
and Uruguay to Eastern Europe. The subject matter is covered thoroughly and is up-to-date; the style is deceptively simple so, while the text is of direct use to farmers (botanical names have been relegated to a glossary -even when this entails the use of improbable English neologisms, presumably as a concession to “non academics”) scientists in pasture, land management and nature conservancy will all find much useful information. The material is laid out in 19 chapters leading from an overview of British Grasslands and the characteristics of the main grasses and legumes through variety evaluation, seeds mixtures, plant breeding, seed production to sward establishment and renovation, weed control, soils, drainage, fertility and fertilizers, feeding values, sward growth, grazing and grazing systems, fodder conservation. There are chapters on Management of Legumes, Hill Land Improvement and the topical subject of Grassland and Nature Conservation. Each chapter could be read in isolation but the author has knit the sections into a coherent and interesting whole with little repetition. The importance of choosing the right mixture and varieties for specific sites is stressed and the procedures of herbage breeding outlined; the complexity of the breeders’ problem in blending the complex needs of plant production and persistence with feeding value for livestock. The gap between breeding work and field practice comes out quite clearly in Chapter 5 -despite much valuable breeding work and the development of superior legume varieties seed supply lags behind: the UK farmer must rely on imported clover seed. The paramount influence of the seeding year in the foundation of a productive sward is rightly stressed and renovation techniques adapted to a range of situations are described in addition to direct sowing. Fertilizer use and the key role of phosphorus for the establishment of grass and clover seedlings are mentioned but rhizobial inoculation of legume seeds does not figure in the establishment chapter although it may be useful on new sites and seed-pelleting can help in legume establishment under acid conditions; the importance of inoculation is relegated, along with the legumes, to Chapter 22. The relevance of post-sowing management in the development of the sward is emphasized: it is described almost entirely in terms of ryegrass and white clover but the following chapter on the grazing process takes a much wider view and covers natural pastures, including sheep grazing on hill pastures. Grazing systems, a complex and controversial subject, is dealt with in a pragmatic and useful fashion keeping the end users, livestock, clearly in view. Fodder conservation is dealt with in two chapters and that on silage making is especially detailed with much useful practical advice. Forage legumes, which should be a cornerstone of pasture improvement in temperate climates, are relegated to one of the later chapters, just before Grassland Nature Conservation, reflecting the great gap between research findings and field practice on legume use. This chapter might usefully have appeared much earlier. Chapter 22 begins “White clover in grassland is increasingly being utilized in practical farming systems in Britain....” this is welcome news but the same was being said many years ago when I was a student - let us hope that the reemergence of the legume as an environmentally friendly nitrogen source has really returned to British farming. The chapter shows the paucity of legume species in common use - red clover is said to be a thing of the past, luceme has a narrower range of adaptation than white clover: sainfoin and lotus get a passing mention.
.I. Hodges/Livestock Production Science 42 (I 995) M-103
improving growth, exogenous growth regulatory agents and general factors that affect meat quality. The choice of the topics and the rather concise form in which it is presented (most information is derived from American literature) makes the book suitable for those readers having a general and broad interest in relationships between environmental factors and growth or carcass quality. This book, however, does not provide the amount of information desired by readers with specific interest in relations between environmental factors and growth or carcass quality. In summary, the book provides a general overview of various aspects of the topic growth and can be considered a valuable asset to the literature dealing with general aspects of pig production and appears to be suitable as educational material. L.A. den Hartog and J.W.G.M. Swinkels, Research Institute for Pig Husbandry, Rosmalen, Netherlands
drawn from many different areas of the world. This helps make the book truly international in both its content and relevance. Books of this type invariably have a gestation length which is much longer than that of any of the farm species! The result of this is that some of the reviews fail to contain all of the up-to-the-minute information, particularly in the more rapidly developing areas of reproductive biology. Nevertheless, this is not a major limitation because all of the chapters are so comprehensive that they will remain valuable sources of information for many years to come. Consequently, the book will be particularly useful not only for those wishing to enter, or aheady in, the field of research in farm animal reproduction, but will be an invaluable asset for those involved in teaching animal production science, and also as a mom fundamental reference text for those engaged in development and extension work. W. Haresign, University of Nottingham, UK
Reproduction in Domesticated Animals. G.J. King (Ed.). 1993. World Animal Science Series, B9. Published by Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ISBN 0 444 89530 2. pp. 590, HB. DJI 525.00, US$328.25
Production of hides, skins, wool and hair. 0. Gtiney, 0. Biter and M.S. Ranieri (Eds.). 1993. PUDOC ScientiJc Publishers, Wageningen. EAAP publication No. 56. ISBN 90 220 1067 8A’iJGI 835/ISSN 0071 2477. Proc. of the Joint EAAP/CIHEAM/EC/C.!JZF/ MAFRA Symposium, Adana, Turkey 2-6/l 1 1991. DJ? 180.00 $12O.OOpp. 292
This particular book forms part of the series of major reference works under the title “World Animal Science” which rue designed to provide a multi-disciplinary consideration of the sciences underpinning systems of animal production. Series B volumes are each devoted to a different discipline important to animal production, of which “Reproduction in Domestic Animals” is one. According to the general preface, the editorial concept is that the series functions as a single entity, although each volume is constituted as an independent unit, suitable for separate use. With “Reproduction in Domesticated Animals” they have certainly achieved their second objective, but it is important to realize at the outset that the price of individual volumes will dictate that their purchase is likely to be restricted to libraries. Nevertheless, this should not be interpreted to imply any criticism of the contents of “Reproduction in Domesticated Animals”, for this is a book with few serious rivals. What makes it particularly useful is that it concentrates exclusively on the major farm species, as well as providing a breadth and depth to the many facets of the physiological control reproduction that few other books can match. As one might expect of a volume from a series of major reference works in World Animal Science, this book provides authoritative, fully referenced reviews covering the whole spectrum of reproductive function in farm animals. All of the individual chapters are clearly written, with excellent, well chosen diagrams, line drawing, photographs, figures and tables, as appropriate, to support the main body of the text. Topics covered (each with one or more chapters devoted to various aspects of it) include: the structure and development of the reproductive tract; the endocrine control of reproduction in males and females; reproductive behaviour, fertilization, pregnancy and parturition; immuno-reproduction, artificial insemination, embryo transfer and transgenesis; the effect of the environment, nutrition and genetics on reproduction; reproduction in poultry; reproductive performance and problems. Bach of the individuals authors ate international authorities in their respective field, and
This book reports the -dings of the Symposium held in Adana, Turkey, from 2-6 November 1991, which was organized as part of the series of Symposia jointly conceived by the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Studies (CIHEAM) . It is useful to recall that the goal of these symposia is to develop aspects of animal agriculture in the Mediterranean region which are not normally covered by other scientific meetings. The Adana Symposium was dedicated to the production and use of hides, skins, wool and hair; these are considered in the Mediterranean basin as by-products or at least of secondaryeconomic importance, in respect to the production of meat and milk. Merinos-type and semi-fine wool were not included in the Symposium. Nevertheless, among the 35 main papers, 12 concern tibres from sheep and goat. The accent is put on the Angora goats, of which Turkey is the world cradle, and also on the Cashmere. Many papers concern the strategies of development of these genetic resources outside their country of origin, where they provide possibilities of diversifying animal production for high-value products in specialized small flocks. Examples are reported for both types from Western Europe (France and Italy), to which they were imported during the last 10 years; three papers are also dedicated to the development of Cashmere goats in Australia (Ponzoni) . These reports reveal the need for a better inventory and knowledge of the original germplasm in Turkey for Angora goats and in China for Cashmere (Ryder). The originality of this book is probably not to be found in this field, despite the quality of the information and the interest of review papers on the physiological basis of wool and hair production (Allaht, Ryder), on the nutritional characteristics and feeding retommendations for producing fibre goat flocks ( Morand-Fehr), or on the objective measurements of wool (Sergent) . This publication attempts to provide information on the whole production chain: from
J. Hodges /Livestock Production Science 42 (1995) 81-103
the animal to the final processed product commodity. In fact two sub titles could have been adopted covering two main sets of reports: the. first “from skin to leather” and the second “from wool to carpets and rugs”. ht this respect this book represents real vahte in providing information from various sources difficult for a single person to collect: statistical data on the production and world trade of hides, skins and leather ( Krostitz) , analysis of the physical properties of sheep leather (Eskolin et al.), the factors which determine the quality of the raw material (animal diseases and slaughter house, Blajan) , case studies on the characteristics of the leather industry in Turkey (Kosar, Artan) and in Morocco (Eddebarh), the environmental issues of this type of industry (Sari and Yapici in Turkey; and Simoncini and Miriam in Italy) and the possible uses of by-products of the industry in agticulnne (Silva and Baffi). Two chapters are dedicated to special wool for the carpet industry, including several reports on the relation between the specific qualities of the local sheep breeds and the characteristics of the hand-made carpets in Egypt (Guirguis), Turkey (Erdem et al.), Algeria (Benyoucef) , Morocco (Bourfia et al.) and Italy-Sardinia ( Casu et al.). Many reports present the tradition and the various characteristics of carpets in Turkey, but unfortunately, without reproduction of the very significative photographs of the various designs and natural colours of the carpets that illustrated the oral presentation of the reports (high publication costs). The intention of the organizeis of the Symposium was to examine theextent to which the lower productivity of the animal material and production systems in the Mediterranean basin could be compensated by high-value specific and typical products (Boutonnet and Flamant). These reports provide technical information on the relation between the conditions of producing the raw material and the process by practices in order to control the performance of the whole chain. One problem was discussed which did not received answer: the extent to which the farmer could beneficiate of this final high commercial value, in order to maintain livestock activities in the difficult and marginaI Mediterranean environment? In conclusion, it may be observed that this book has the qualities and the weaknesses of the Proceedings of a good Symposium: original information rarely otherwise available, but also a lack of balance between the various subjects of interest due to an unequal quality of the reports and papers presented. Overall, this book reflects perfectly the unique opportunity given by this Symposium by the exchanges of information between the specialists of animal production and the representatives of an industry; in this case including leather industry as well as specialists of the traditional hand-woven carpet sector. Jean-Claude Flamant, INRA Toulouse, France
Improved Grassland Management. John Frame. 1992. Farming Press Books and Videos, Wharjea’ale Road, Ipswich IPI 4LG, UK. 351 pp. f14.95. ISBN 0 85326 246 3 The book, which deals only with pastures of humid temperate areas, is basedon British work and experience, with fmquent examples drawn from the work of the Scottish Agricultural Colleges; however, it contains many references to and examples from a very wide range of temperate grassland situations stretching from Canada
101
and Uruguay to Eastern Europe. The subject matter is covered thoroughly and is up-to-date; the style is deceptively simple so, while the text is of direct use to farmers (botanical names have been relegated to a glossary -even when this entails the use of improbable English neologisms, presumably as a concession to “non academics”) scientists in pasture, land management and nature conservancy will all find much useful information. The material is laid out in 19 chapters leading from an overview of British Grasslands and the characteristics of the main grasses and legumes through variety evaluation, seeds mixtures, plant breeding, seed production to sward establishment and renovation, weed control, soils, drainage, fertility and fertilizers, feeding values, sward growth, grazing and grazing systems, fodder conservation. There are chapters on Management of Legumes, Hill Land Improvement and the topical subject of Grassland and Nature Conservation. Each chapter could be read in isolation but the author has knit the sections into a coherent and interesting whole with little repetition. The importance of choosing the right mixture and varieties for specific sites is stressed and the procedures of herbage breeding outlined; the complexity of the breeders’ problem in blending the complex needs of plant production and persistence with feeding value for livestock. The gap between breeding work and field practice comes out quite clearly in Chapter 5 -despite much valuable breeding work and the development of superior legume varieties seed supply lags behind: the UK farmer must rely on imported clover seed. The paramount influence of the seeding year in the foundation of a productive sward is rightly stressed and renovation techniques adapted to a range of situations are described in addition to direct sowing. Fertilizer use and the key role of phosphorus for the establishment of grass and clover seedlings are mentioned but rhizobial inoculation of legume seeds does not figure in the establishment chapter although it may be useful on new sites and seed-pelleting can help in legume establishment under acid conditions; the importance of inoculation is relegated, along with the legumes, to Chapter 22. The relevance of post-sowing management in the development of the sward is emphasized: it is described almost entirely in terms of ryegrass and white clover but the following chapter on the grazing process takes a much wider view and covers natural pastures, including sheep grazing on hill pastures. Grazing systems, a complex and controversial subject, is dealt with in a pragmatic and useful fashion keeping the end users, livestock, clearly in view. Fodder conservation is dealt with in two chapters and that on silage making is especially detailed with much useful practical advice. Forage legumes, which should be a cornerstone of pasture improvement in temperate climates, are relegated to one of the later chapters, just before Grassland Nature Conservation, reflecting the great gap between research findings and field practice on legume use. This chapter might usefully have appeared much earlier. Chapter 22 begins “White clover in grassland is increasingly being utilized in practical farming systems in Britain....” this is welcome news but the same was being said many years ago when I was a student - let us hope that the reemergence of the legume as an environmentally friendly nitrogen source has really returned to British farming. The chapter shows the paucity of legume species in common use - red clover is said to be a thing of the past, luceme has a narrower range of adaptation than white clover: sainfoin and lotus get a passing mention.