Preface

When I was invited by InTech Open Access Publisher, to author/edit the books on Milk Production, I immediately realized both the importance of such books that are concerned with milk production. The difficulty of assembling such books rests on the fact that lactation is a complex process and the vast amount of research, fundamental and applied has been carried out. Milk production is not concerned only with the cow. The sense of milk production is concerned worldwide with the milk of cows, sheep, goats and buffaloes. The efficient milk production both quantity and quality need to improve in many areas. Involvement of many disciplines is essential to understand for more efficient production. Knowledge of animal nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, animal management and husbandry, animal breeding and genetics and animal health, must be considered together. Thus, it would be very difficult for one scientist alone to adequately collect so much data. I concluded that this book could best achieve its aim if presented from different perspective as recognized by eminent authorities in the field. These books permits the reader's exposure to the expert's experience and scientific style of interpreting and integrating available data into his own views. Because of space limitations, the subject is presented in two books: "Milk Production - An Up-to-Date Overview of Animal Nutrition, Management and Health", and "Milk Production - Advanced Genetic Traits, Cellular Mechanism, Animal Nutrition and Management".

The chapters in "Milk Production - An Up-to Date Overview of Animal Nutrition, Management and Health", are organized into three main sections and are concerned with the animal nutrition, animal management and, breeding and animal health. This book is intended for students, researchers, teaching staff, practicing professionals and those connected with dairy science, animal science, food science, nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, veterinary medicine and other related fields. It is also hoped that Milk Production - An Up-to Date Overview of Animal Nutrition, Management and Health, will help stimulate interest in improved milk production. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography which can future aid the reader in keeping abreast of the developments in this field.

> **Narongsak Chaiyabutr**  Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

**Milk Production and Animal Nutrition** 
