Pathobiology and Population Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine Mississippi State University Starkville Mississippi USA
Muhammad Salman Waqas, DVM, PhD Lecturer Department of Theriogenology University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan Gary Warner, DVM Bovine Division Elgin Veterinary Hospital Elgin, Texas USA
Jacob L. Warner, BS Veterinary Student College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University College Station, Texas USA
Katelyn Waters, DVM Theriogenology Resident Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
James K. West, DVM, MS Armburst Professor of Clinical Medicine Director of Embryo Transfer Services Iowa State University Ames, Iowa USA
Brian K. Whitlock, MS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACT Professor Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USA
Gary L. Williams, MS, PhD Regents Fellow Agri Life Research Senior Faculty Fellow and Professor Animal Reproduction Laboratory Texas A&M Agri Life Research Beeville Texas USA and Department of Animal Science Texas A&M University Beeville, Texas USA
Dwight F. Wolfe, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACT Professor Emeritus Department of Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University Auburn, Alabama USA
Curtis R. Youngs, PhD M.E. Ensminger Endowed Chair in International Animal Agriculture Animal Science Department College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Iowa State University Ames, Iowa USA
Preface and Acknowledgments to the Second Edition
As I near completion of a task that I promised myself I would never repeat, I have to say that the singular aspect of this project that stands out to me is the incredible work of the contributors. Although a handful of chapters remained virtually unchanged, most received serious updates. Pregnancy wastage rightfully includes neonatal and calf at side loss, but a new section specifically focusing on the neonate was added. The importance of lameness and its impact on fertility necessitated its inclusion. Chapters that represent recent technological advances have been added as well. Due to the broad acceptance of the first edition, an intentional effort was made to recruit more authors from outside North America and I believe this provides a more international perspective for the manner in which we all approach reproductive management of the bovine. Much like the first edition, I again utilized a broad array of both veterinary specialists and animal scientists. I also believe this book benefits from the contributions of practicing veterinarians, a group often underrepresented in veterinary texts.
Thus, I must begin my thanks by acknowledging the tremendous contributions of the chapter authors and acknowledge the guilt I feel when someone refers to this as “my book.” I also owe a profound debt of gratitude to the incredible staff at Wiley. Their competence and publishing standards are the reasons that we have such a good reference text. Specifically, Erica Judisch who first displayed the faith in me to shepherd this task and then again thought we should update it. Susan Engelken, though not as directly involved as with the first edition, was again a helpful asset on “the other end” of several e‐mails. A special thanks to Merryl Le Roux, who came on midway through to serve as project editor and to see this to completion; and to both Julie Musk and Sandeep Kumar. Julie was the copyeditor who found the many errors that I had missed and also did an incredible job with the numerous suggestions that have made the text so much more readable; and Sandeep handled the final content refinement. I also appreciate my colleagues at both Mississippi State and Auburn for their support.
On a personal note, Joshua Lewis, Elizabeth Marian, and Lucas Michael have joined granddaughter Abigail Betty since the first edition came out and to quote my friend John Myers, “my children are only above average, but my grandchildren are exceptional.” I also need to thank my wife Donna for her now 38 years of patience and support, but will refer you to the dedication for that.
A significant portion of my career (15 years) in practice was followed by 26 years at Mississippi State and finally the opportunity to return to Auburn, my alma mater. I feel that I have indeed led a charmed life and being afforded the opportunity to contribute to the profession and specifically the area of bovine theriogenology through this text has been a great blessing.
Auburn, Alabama
Richard M. Hopper
Preface and Acknowledgments to the First Edition
There is an old fable in which three penniless and hungry travelers come to a small town. Unsuccessful in finding work or even a handout, one concocts a novel plan. He goes to the middle of the village carrying three fist‐sized rocks and announces with great aplomb that he is planning to make his famous “stone soup.” The skeptical but curious villagers gather. Well of course he needed a kettle and some water. The inquisitive villagers wondered if that was all. “Yes,” he replied, “but it is better with a little garnish to improve the flavor.” One villager thought that he could spare some carrots, another some potatoes, and a third some meat. This continued with virtually everyone in the village contributing. The result of course was a wonderful soup and everyone enjoyed a fine meal, while experiencing an object lesson in cooperation.
The story bears an ironic resemblance to the development of this text. The editor, like the plucky traveler, personally short on ability and resources but acutely aware of a need, enlisted the assistance of those who possessed both. Excellent reference texts were available on equine and small animal theriogenology, but a current bovine text was much needed. The goal was to produce a text that would service the needs of the veterinary student and bovine practitioner, as well as the graduate student and resident.
While I would readily admit that this text could be improved with respect to the choices made vis‐à‐vis the organization of the book or the order of some chapters, I honestly do not believe that I could have done any better than the contributors selected. The authors of this text represent a wide array of specialties and educational and experiential backgrounds. I will forever be grateful for their assistance and immensely proud of their individual contributions. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of my graduate assistant, Amanda Cain, who in addition to contributing a chapter, prepared the glossary of terms and index. Likewise, I would like to thank everyone at Wiley for their help. Erica Judisch, the commissioning editor, was so very helpful in guiding a novice through the early phases of this book. Susan Engelken, the managing editor for this book, was incredible to work with, always patient, always competently and quickly responding to any issue or concern. Dr Joe Phillips, the copy editor Wiley enlisted, deserves the credit for identifying errors that I missed and enhancing the readability of this text.
Additionally, I would like to acknowledge on a personal level those who have been so important to me from the standpoint of my life and career. First of all I would thank my parents, Lewis and Barbara Hopper, who were always supportive of my goals and aspirations, and my family, wife Donna and children Tricia (her husband Caleb), McRae, and Molly, who I will always consider to be my greatest accomplishments. Also, as this goes to press I can announce a wonderful addition, a granddaughter by the name of Abigail Betty Butts.
I would also be remiss to not use this opportunity to thank some of my professors and instructors at Auburn who were so influential to me professionally and important to me personally. First on this list would be Dr Robert Hudson, but also Drs Bob Carson, Howard Jones, Donald Walker, Ram Purohit, John Winkler, and Howard Kjar. Likewise, I need to thank my colleagues at Mississippi State who have both encouraged and tolerated me through this long process.
I sincerely hope the reader finds this text useful.
Starkville, Mississippi
Richard M. Hopper