Every sector of the livestock industry, the associated services and the wellbeing of both animals and humans are influenced by animal feeding. The availability of accurate, reliable and reproducible analytical data is imperative for proper feed formulation. Only reliable analysis can lead to the generation of sound scientific data. This document gives a comprehensive account of good laboratory practices, quality assurance procedures and examples of standard operating procedures as used in individual specialist laboratories. The adoption of these practices and procedures will assist laboratories in acquiring the recognition of competence required for certification or accreditation and will also enhance the quality of the data reported by feed analysis laboratories. In addition, ensuring good laboratory practices presented in the document will enhance the safety of the laboratory workers. The document will be useful for laboratory analysts, laboratory managers, research students and teachers and it is hoped that it will enable workers in animal industry, including the aquaculture industry, to appreciate the importance of proven reliable data and the associated quality assurance approaches. An additional effect of implementing and adopting these approaches will be strengthening of the research and education capabilities of students graduating from R&D institutions and promotion of a better trading environment between developing and developed economies. This will have long-term benefits and will promote investment in both feed industries and R&D institutions.

In the years since the third edition of this indispensable reference was published, a great deal has been learned about the nutritional requirements of common laboratory species: rat, mouse, guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, and vole. The Fourth Revised Edition presents the current expert understanding of the lipid, carbohydrate, protein, mineral, vitamin, and other nutritional needs of these animals. The extensive use of tables provides easy access to a wealth of comprehensive data and resource information. The volume also provides an expanded background discussion of general dietary considerations. In addition to a more user-friendly organization, new features in this edition include: A significantly expanded section on dietary requirements for rats, reporting substantial new findings. A new section on nutrients that are not required but that may produce beneficial results. New information on growth and reproductive performance among the most commonly used strains of rats and mice and on several hamster species. An expanded discussion of diet formulation and preparationâ€"including sample diets of both purified and natural ingredients. New information on mineral deficiency and toxicity, including warning signs. This authoritative resource will be important to researchers, laboratory technicians, and manufacturers of laboratory animal feed.

The adoption of the practices and procedures in the manual will assist microbiology laboratories in acquiring the recognition of competence required for certification or accreditation and will also enhance the quality of the microbiological data generated by feed analysis laboratories. In addition, ensuring good laboratory practices presented in the document will enhance the health and safety of the laboratory workers, protect the environment from laboratory-discharged pollutants and increase the efficiency of laboratories. The document will also provide a strong base for microbiology laboratories on which they can develop a system which will meet the requirements of international standards.

The regional animal feed action plan was formulated through a consultative and participatory process building on experiences and lessons learnt by wide spectrum of key stakeholders in public and private sectors, notably, policy makers, traders, pastoralist and farmers' organizations, civil society, NGOs, and the development partners. It builds on the earlier consultative experience sharing workshop on feed by USAID, ILRI, IGAD and FAO in the region. The plan provides broad opportunities for partnerships with producers, governments, and private sector, development and humanitarian organizations at the national and regional levels. It provides a guided approach to collectively tackle the problems of animal feed and pave the way for sustainable production of quality animals and products while improving competitiveness, profitability and ensuring sustainable feed resource management for the entire Eastern African region. The aim of the action plan is to provide guidelines to communities, countries, private sector and livestock stakeholders to optimally utilize the available feed resources in East Africa to increase the supply as well as improve the quality of animals, products and by-products and to maximize the economic and social benefits of the livestock sector.

A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been updated by a committee of experts, taking into consideration input from the scientific and laboratory animal communities and the public at large. The Guide incorporates new scientific information on common laboratory animals, including aquatic species, and includes extensive references. It is organized around major components of animal use: Key concepts of animal care and use. The Guide sets the framework for the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Animal care and use program. The Guide discusses the concept of a broad Program of Animal Care and Use, including roles and responsibilities of the Institutional Official, Attending Veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Animal environment, husbandry, and management. A chapter on this topic is now divided into sections on terrestrial and aquatic animals and provides recommendations for housing and environment, husbandry, behavioral and population management, and more. Veterinary care. The Guide discusses veterinary care and the responsibilities of the Attending Veterinarian. It includes recommendations on animal procurement and transportation, preventive medicine (including animal biosecurity), and clinical care and management. The Guide addresses distress and pain recognition and relief, and issues surrounding euthanasia. Physical plant. The Guide identifies design issues, providing construction guidelines for functional areas; considerations such as drainage, vibration and noise control, and environmental monitoring; and specialized facilities for animal housing and research needs. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals provides a framework for the judgments required in the management of animal facilities. This updated and expanded resource of proven value will be important to scientists and researchers, veterinarians, animal care personnel, facilities managers, institutional administrators, policy makers involved in research issues, and animal welfare advocates.

The goal of this book is to present an overview of applications and ideas toward sample preparation methods and techniques used in analysis of foods and beverages. This text is a compilation of selected research articles and reviews dealing with current efforts in the application of various methods and techniques of sample preparation to analysis of a variety of foods and beverages. The chapters in this book are divided into two broad sections. Section 1 deals with some ideas for methods and techniques that are applicable to problems that impact the analysis of foods and beverages and the food and beverage industries overall. Section 2 provides applications of sample preparation methods and techniques toward determination of specific analytes or classes of analytes in various foods and beverages. Overall, this book should serve as a source of scientific information for anyone involved in any aspect of analysis of foods and beverages.

Animal feed impacts almost all sectors and services of the livestock sector. This document presents a step-wise process to guide the Laboratory Management, starting from planning a feed analysis laboratory building and layout to hiring suitable staff, choosing which methods to set up withappropriate equipment requirements. This document will enable Member States to establish accredited laboratories and also help prepare the existing ones for the accreditation. Quality of data on chemical composition and nutritive value will improve, resulting in preparation of safe and quality animal diets -- imperative for increased sustainable livestock production.

This publication provides information on the impact of animal feeds on food quality, food safety, and the environment, and thus improves the basis for managing such risks. The book brings together in printed form six reviews from the FAO electronic journal AGRIPPA (available online).

The Fifth edition of the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods has now been fully updated. All chapters have been revised and new chapters have been added. This Compendium is the primary authority for food safety testing and presents a comprehensive selection of proven testing methods with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and reliability. The Compendium is a must-have for all food laboratories, food manufacturers, public health laboratories, and anyone performing food safety testing. - Publisher.