The American Dairy Science Association® (ADSA®), the American Society of Animal Science, and the Poultry Science Association have published the fourth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (Ag Guide) in 2020. The Ag Guide serves as a primary reference document for meeting the needs and requirements of agricultural animals utilized in research and teaching.
This fourth edition builds upon and replaces previous versions of the Ag Guide published in 1988, 1999, and 2010. The Ag Guide comprises subject-oriented chapters covering subjects that pertain to all the agricultural animal species (chapters 1 to 5) and species chapters, which fall under the purview of the respective association(s) dedicated to the species (chapters 6 to 13). Each association appointed a senior editor to steer the revision of their respective species chapters and to collaborate with the senior editors from the other associations to guide the revision of the subject-oriented chapters. Species chapter committees were recruited from the membership of the respective professional associations devoted to the species; in addition, up to two individuals from each association were selected for each of the subject-oriented chapter committees, which thus comprised representatives from the three associations. The individuals recruited were scientists, veterinarians, or engineers with expertise in the species or subjects covered in their respective chapters. Each chapter committee selected a chairperson from its membership to coordinate revisions and interact with the senior editors.
The Ag Guide covers agricultural animal species having different phenotypes within species and c management systems across widely varying climates. The content must be sufficiently broad to cover the diverse research and teaching institutions that use agricultural animals yet be clear enough to give unambiguous guidance to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees responsible for the care and use of animals in their respective institutions.
The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching is available for free download below (as a PDF).
Entire Ag Guide:
Special Thanks To:
ADSA expresses special thanks to the ADSA representatives serving on the editorial committee of the fourth edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching.
- Cassandra B. Tucker, University of California – Davis, Senior Editor
- Nigel Cook, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Chapter 7: Dairy Cattle Author
- Marina von Keyserlingk, University of British Columbia, Chapter 7: Dairy Cattle Author
- Peter Krawczel, University of Tennessee, Chapter 7: Dairy Cattle Author