These Proceedings promotes the diffusion of Italian research in Animal Science beyond the Academic and Scientific World, towards the operators directly involved in animal production. They may use the novel approaches and technologies described to solve problems in the modern market and production systems at the National, European and World-wide level.

For the first time the Proceedings are published in English by an official Editor and this will allow an easier diffusion of the scientific achievements to foreign scientists and technical operators in Animal Science and related fields.

The book contains the text of 8 main lectures and 189 papers, approved by anonymous referees. The invited lectures discuss the more advanced topics of research in animal production: molecular genetics and new strategies for animal selection, characteristics of food of animal origin, nutrition and human health, meat and milk quality, animal welfare, alternatives to the supply of antibiotics in animal nutrition, new discoveries on the physiology of bovine lactation, perspectives in the development of intensive and extensive livestock farms according to the EU directives.

The scientific papers concern the most important aspects of animal production (genetic improvement, nutrition, reproduction, breeding technologies and the quality of products) on all animal species of agricultural interest, aquaculture included.

The quality of the papers collected makes this an updated and interesting book, and underlines the progress of Animal Science in Italy. In addition it evidences the ability of Italian scientific research to face the increasing requirements for high quality food, produced respecting the environment and the animal welfare.