Synopses & Reviews
Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle is the go-to reference for new and experienced cattle ranchers, providing expert advice on everything from breed selection, calving, feeding, and housing, to humane handling and slaughter practices.
The 3rd edition, now with 125,000 copies in print contains new and expanded features:
• Up-to-the-minute coverage of diseases and vaccination options
• Complete information on raising grass-fed animals
• How to identify and deal with toxic pasture plants
Storey's Guide to Raising Series is the essential animal husbandry information from the trusted source. With a combined total of 1.7 million copies in print.
Praise for the book:
"I found your book to be the Bible for raising beef cattle, and will continue to refer to it while running our 160-head organic beef operation." - Jonathan, Plainfield, IN
Synopsis
A bovine expert, Thomas explains facilities, breeding and genetics, calving, health care, and advice for marketing a cattle business.
Synopsis
Whether you're raising one cow or a herd, this comprehensive guide shows you everything you need to know to successfully manage your beef cattle operation. Heather Smith Thomas stresses the importance of understanding bovine behavior while covering breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, medical care, and humane slaughter practices. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals and dealing with toxic pasture plants, you'll also find advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for your beef.
Synopsis
Everything you need to know to raise one, two, or even a herd of beef cattle is in this book -- the most comprehensive beef cattle guide available.
This definitive handbook will help both beginners and experienced owners capitalize on one of the world's most natural and efficient backyard livestock industries. Whether you simply want to make use of land that is too steep, too rocky, or too dry for growing crops, or you want to run a full-scale, modern beef production operation, this book will provide you with the information you need, including how to:
-- Prepare comfortable, low-maintenance facilities
-- Breed and calve cattle for specific genetic attributes
-- Remedy cattle illnesses and maintain excellent herd health
-- Understand cattle behavior
-- Handle herds humanely and effectively
-- Market your cattle business
About the Author
Heather Smith Thomas raises cattle and horses on her family ranch in Salmon, Idaho. She is the author of 10 books and thousands of articles on animal health care. Her books include Essential Guide to Calving, Getting Started with Beef & Dairy Cattle, and Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle.
Table of Contents
Foreword
1 Breeds and Genetics: An Overview
2 Handling and Behavior of Beef Cattle
3 Issues in Buying and Selling
4 General Guidelines for Raising Beef Cattle
5 Pasture, Fencing, and Facilities
6 Feeding Cattle
7 Keeping Cattle Healthy
8 Growing and Breeding Heifers
9 Care of the Pregnant Cow
10 Calving
11 Care of the Newborn Calf
12 Calf Health
13 Weaning the Calves
14 Rebreeding
Glossary
Sources
Suppliers
Cooperative Extension Service
Breed Organizations
IndeX