Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit

Starting a small-scale livestock farm? First, you need this book!

Yes, you can have a prosperous farm and achieve the lifestyle of your dreams — and farming expert Carol Ekarius will show you how. Small farms can pay big dividends, Ekarius explains, but hard work alone isn't enough: Success demands knowledge and effective management.

Ekarius's natural, organic approach to livestock management produces healthier animals, reduces feed and healthcare costs, and maximizes your profit. Through case studies of successful farmers, nitty-gritty details on every facet of livestock farming, and fascinating insights for working with nature instead of against it, you'll learn to make your farm thrive.

Small-Scale Livestock Farming will help you:

* Determine what you want from your farming life (even if your farm is simply a few backyard animals)

* Choose suitable livestock

* Understand housing, fencing, and feeding needs of livestock

* Learn about reproducing stock and caring for your animals' health

* Investigate conventional and cutting-edge market strategies

* Create a complete financial and biological farm plan

* Make decisions that are good for you, for your animals, and for your land

Carol Ekarius' natural, organic approach to livestock management produces healthier animals, reduces feed and health care costs, and maximizes your profit. Includes case studies of successful farmers, nitty-gritty details of every facet of livestock farming, and fascinating insights on how to work with nature instead of against it.

This grass-based approach to small-scale livestock farming promotes stock health, greater profit, and farm sustainability.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 206-209) and index.

Involved with the sustainable agriculture for years, author Carol Ekarius is a full-time livestock farmer whose natural approach to livestock management shines in her Storey book, Small-Scale Livestock Farming. She has also written articles for various newspapers and magazines. Carol is on the board of directors of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and the board of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. She lives and farms in Colorado with her husband, Ken Woodard.

Preface

I. The Roots of Grass-Based Farming

1. The Introduction

2. Livestock & the Environment

3. The Holistic Management Model

4. Grass-Farming Basics

II. Animal Husbandry

5. Genetics, Breeding, & Training

6. Feeds & Feeding

7. Facilities

8. Health & Reproduction

III. Marketing

9. Finding a Niche

10. Legalities

11. Butchering & Processing

IV. Planning

12. Farm Planning

13. Financial Planning

14. Biological Planning

15. Monitoring

Appendixes

A. Animals

B. Composition of Common Feedstuffs

C. Figuring Feeds & Feeding

D. Grasses & Legumes

E. Resources

F. Calculations, Equations, & Equivalents

Index