Synopses & Reviews
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
Review
"...the quintessential primer for rural families who want to take a step toward independence and increase their earnings..."
Synopsis
Full of practical everyday advice, this guide explains how a natural, organic approach to livestock farming produces healthy animals, reduces costs, and increases your operation s self-sufficiency. Livestock expert Carol Ekarius helps you create a viable farm plan, choose suitable livestock, care for your animals health, and confidently manage housing, fencing, and feeding. Case studies of successful farmers provide inspiration as you learn everything you need to know to run a prosperous livestock farm and make the lifestyle of your dreams a reality.
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Synopsis
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.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 206-209) and index.
About the Author
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.
Table of Contents
Preface
I. The Roots of Grass-Based Farming
1. The Introduction
2. Livestock and the Environment
3. The Holistic Management Model
4. Grass-Farming Basics
II. Animal Husbandry
5. Genetics, Breeding, and Training
6. Feeds and Feeding
7. Facilities
8. Health and Reproduction
III. Marketing
9. Finding a Niche
10. Legalities
11. Butchering and 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 and Feeding
D. Grasses and Legumes
E. Resources
F. Calculations, Equations, and Equivalents
Index