Welcome to Food Animal Production: An Introduction. This interactive publication is designed to support students in their explorations of the livestock industry, a sector of agriculture that provides a vast number of products for consumption. The journey begins with how livestock is utilized for food production around the globe, the domestication of several common and popular animals and how societies can continue to support appropriate animal agriculture practices. From there, the most common species of livestock are discussed in detail, including nutrition, breeds, health maintenance, disease control, and sustainable practices of raising said species. The readers discoveries conclude with a discussion of the future of food animal production and how future ranchers and producers can safely and effectively continue raising healthy products for an ever-growing population.

I have been teaching for over 25 years, first as high school Agricultural Sciences teacher and now as a university faculty member, facilitating courses in Agricultural Ethics, general Agricultural Sciences and Animal Science. This publication is dedicated to my family and to all students with whom I have worked throughout my career. My students, knowingly or not, have always been and will continue to be my inspiration to be better and do better each and every day.

Dr. Kimberley Miller