On behalf of the Australian Society of Animal Production (ASAP), I would like to invite you to participate and contribute to the first the joint International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores/International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ISNH/ISRP) in Canberra, Australia, 8 -12 September 2014. Canberra is the ideal location to provide delegates with an invigorating scientific, field and social program focussing on a?#339;Harnessing the Ecology and Physiology of Herbivoresa?#157;. Canberra is also home to some of the most progressive regions for animal production in Australia, with major nodes for dairy, beef and sheep production close by. This destination appeal, along with Canberraa?#8482;s world renowned meetings infrastructure and professional industry expertise means that the 2014 ISNH/ISRP conference will attract a large number of participants, which in turn will result in a successful event. The conference will provide an excellent international forum that will facilitate the discussion, development and exchange of knowledge on the basic and applied physiology, biochemistry and nutrition of herbivores and its interactions with animal health, welfare, production and product quality. This international meeting will provide a high profile platform for public awareness of the importance of herbivores in human society and the sustainability of our environment. The ground breaking research being conducted throughout Australasia on controlling greenhouse gas emissions through nutritional and biotechnical manipulation, on energetic efficiency and meat quality will provide an important focus for this conference. I, together with our colleagues within Australia represented through the Australian Society of Animal Production (ASAP), would like to welcome you to debate and discuss the issues raised above within the beautiful Australian countryside in 2014.