MASTER IJAS - Italian Journal of Animal Science

Italian Journal of Animal Science 2011; volume 10
BOOK REVIEW
The International Sheep and
Wool Handbook
Edited D.J. Cottle
Published by Nottingham University
Press, UK
2010, 766 pp, £ 70.00
ISBN 9781845937584
This revised book is an expanded and updated version of the Australian Sheep and Wool
Handbook published in 1991 and focuses on
the sheep wool and meat industry. The book is
divided in 5 sections, each including several
chapters written by well-known and qualified
researchers and industry representatives from
many countries. The first section on Major
sheep and wool industries, in my opinion, is
particularly interesting because it explores the
sheep and wool industries of leading countries
(e.g. Australia, South Africa and New Zealand)
and continents (Europe and South America),
and those of emerging countries (e.g. China).
I found the chapter on China sheep and wool
industry really interesting and somehow
unique, for the rich and detailed body of data
on production and market statistics and for the
in-depth analysis of Chinese production systems, and market opportunities and constraints. The section on Biological Principles
(9 chapters) covers the basic principles and
the newest findings on breeding and selection,
reproduction, physiology, nutrition and feeding, and wool and meat production. The sections on Management and on Production
Systems (8 chapters in total) give an in-depth
coverage of many classic topics (e.g. sheep and
pasture management, health, extensive and
intensive production systems) and more
recent ones (e.g. sustainable production,
coarse wool production). The last section, on
Preparation, Processing and Marketing (6 chapters), explores with a great deal of technical
and commercial details the wool, skin and
meat industry. The Appendix includes feed
composition tables, Australian market prices
and wool classification.
For the broadness of the topics and the
approach used, this book can be considered
almost an encyclopaedia of wool and meat
sheep production. The style used, the richness
of data and the many figures and schemes utilized in this book make its reading and understanding easy and enjoyable. The vast bibliography reported makes it also a useful starting
point for more in-depth studies of the topics
covered. I would recommend its reading to alllevel university students, to researchers interested in exploring new areas, and to qualified
professionals of the wool and meat sheep
industry. The only criticism I must make is that
the book tends to overlook the research on
[Ital J Anim Sci vol.10, 2011]
wool and meat not carried out by Anglo-Saxon,
and especially Australian, authors. Nevertheless, this limit can be forgiven in light of
the huge amount of information collected and
organized in this interesting book.
Prof. Antonello Cannas
Professor of Animal Nutrition
University of Sassari, Italy