Livestock economics, or the application of economic methods to optimizing the decisions made by livestock producers, grew to prominence around the turn of the 20th century.  It focused on maximizing the yield of livestocks while maintaining a good ecosystem.  Throughout the last century, the discipline expanded and the current scope of the discipline is much broader.  Livestock economics today includes a variety of applied areas, having considerable overlap with conventional economics.  It combines the technical aspects of livestock production with the business aspects of management, marketing and finance.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the History of livestock and Animal Health economics, theory and tools for the economics of animal health and production, a review of the application of economics to animal diseases and health problems, and worldwide examples of economic analysis and policy making.  It will be a valuable reference tool for students, who are preparing for a wide variety of exciting careers in the marketing of commodities sold and inputs purchased by agricultural producers; agricultural finance; and management of agribusinesses, farms and ranches.