Synopses & Reviews
Your hands-on guide to raising and caring for beef cattleIf you're an aspiring cattle farmer looking to begin raising cattle or an established herder interested in expanding your herd, Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies is your go-to resource. Chock-full of useful information that anyone interested in raising cattle should have, this useful guide provides important information on herd health, handling, and breeding, as well as detailed coverage of equipment and supplies.
Getting to know moo — take a look at the benefits and potential concerns of raising cattle, grasp the vocabulary that goes along with it, and get an intro to a broad array of cattle breeds
Bring home the beef — find out how to prepare your pastures, fences, and corrals, and get to know what your cattle like (and need) to eat and drink
Cattle care — get acquainted with bovine behavior, common cattle diseases, injuries, and treatments, and time-tested recommendations for caring for cattle at different stages of the life cycle
"Greener" pastures — discover the many ways to profit from your cattle business, from using pastures and grazing, showing and selling cattle, and selling beef direct to customers
Open the book and find:
Plain-English explanations of cattle terminology and anatomy
Beef cattle breeds and traits
How to prep your facilities for keeping cattle
Trusted guidance on planning a feeding program
Expert advice on pasture, manure, and water management
How to translate the "moo" and decipher body language
Ways to keep your bovines healthy
Information on feeding cattle a finishing diet and working with beef processors
Learn to:
Humanely handle, care for, and breed beef cattle
Prevent, evaluate, and treat common cattle ailments
Create an open and safe habitat for cattle
Synopsis
A complete guide to raising healthy, happy cattle
The United States beef and dairy market is a booming multi-billion dollar industry that will only grow larger as the population continues to increase.
Raising Cattle For Dummies provides you with a comprehensive guide to the correct methods of caring for cattle and presents helpful advice and instruction to maintain a healthy herd. You'll get expert tips from animal science experts and experienced farmers that show you how to start your own operation or increase your farm's output.
- Dietary specifications dependent on breed
- The prevention and treatment of common diseases
- Guidance on humane management handling, and transportation
- Successful avenues for marketing and selling cattle and by-products
Whether you're an aspiring stockmen or an established dairy farmer, you'll get all the information you need on raising, handling, breeding, and keeping healthy cattle.
Synopsis
The tools you need to raise and care for beef cattleBeef cattle farming is a business that continues to grow in the United States and around the world, and it will only grow larger as the demand for beef continues to increase. Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of raising beef cattle. Packed with expert tips from experienced farmers, it gives any level of cattle-raiser the tools needed to increase the quantity and quality of your farm's output and maintain a healthy herd.
Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies is the go-to resource for aspiring cattle farmers. With important information on health, handling, and breeding, and detailed coverage of equipment and supplies, it is teeming with useful information that anyone interested in raising cattle should have.
- Advice on which beef cattle breeds to rear
- The prevention and treatment of common diseases
- Caring for pregnant heifers and calving procedures
- Dietary specifications dependent on breed
- Guidance on humane management
- Creating an open and safe pasture habitat
If you're an aspiring cattle farmer looking to begin raising cattle or an established raiser interested in expanding your herd, Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies has you covered.
About the Author
Nikki and Scott Royer, graduates of the Purdue University School of Agriculture, raise cattle on their diversified family farm in Indiana. In addition to raising the calves from their own cow herd, the Royers also purchase and finish feeder cattle from other producers.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting to Know Beef Cattle 7
Chapter 1: The Rewards and Responsibilities of Raising Beef Cattle 9
Chapter 2: Bovine Basics: Understanding Cattle Terminology and Anatomy 23
Chapter 3: From Angus to Zebu: Looking at Beef Cattle Breeds and Traits 35
Part II: Preparing to Bring Home the Beef 53
Chapter 4: Home on the Range: Preparing Your Facilities 55
Chapter 5: Chow Time: Planning Your Feeding Program 79
Chapter 6: Exploring Pasture, Manure, and Water Management 107
Chapter 7: Choosing and Buying Cattle 127
Part III: Cattle Handling, Health, and Breeding 145
Chapter 8: Understanding and Properly Handling Cattle 147
Chapter 9: Keeping Your Cattle Healthy 165
Chapter 10: Addressing Common Cattle Ailments 191
Chapter 11: Breeding Cows and Caring for Pregnant Females 213
Chapter 12: Looking After Calves Young and Old 241
Part IV: Realizing Your Cattle Business Potential 261
Chapter 13: Turning Your Extra Pastures into a Money-Making Business 263
Chapter 14: Showing and Selling Cattle 275
Chapter 15: Managing Your Beef Business 293
Part V: The Part of Tens 311
Chapter 16: Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid When Raising Cattle 313
Chapter 17: Ten (or so) Bizarre Bovine Behaviors . . . and What They Mean 321
Index 327