The tools you need to raise and care for beef cattle Beef 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.

A few head of cattle or a large herd, a small farm or vast ranch, dairy cows or beef: Whatever your circumstances or objective, if you want to raise cattle, this book tells you all you need to know. A primer for the new farmer and a refresher for the veteran, How to Raise Cattle guides readers through beef and dairy operations from beginning to end--from choosing the right breed to providing proper feed and shelter, and from the concerns of health care to the finer points of breeding and marketing. Clearly written and illustrated with helpful examples, the book covers beef and dairy enterprises large and small, conventional and organic. It will prove the essential resource for todays cattle farmer.

Hobby Farms Beef Cattle: Keeping a Small-Scale Herd for Pleasure and Profit, written by Ann Larkin Hansen, serves as an excellent introduction to raising cows for food or simply to graze while mowing and fertilizing the pasture. This colorful guide offers experienced hobby farmers and beginners all of the essential information necessary to purchase and maintain a small herd of beef cattle. While managing her own hobby farm in Wisconsin, Hansen shares her expertise in all things farm and has authored numerous books such as Making Hay, The Organic Farming Manual, and Finding Good Farmland. In this comprehensive book, Hansen corrals the hobby farmer into the world of cowboys and cowgirls: she begins, “Beef cattle are as much at home on the hobby farm as they are on the range.” This colorful primer begins with the basics, from biological traits and breeds to behavior and life cycle, and describes exactly what’s required for a hobby farmer to maintain a herd of cattle—the four F’s—fencing, feed, fields, and facilities. Given the expense involved in the purchase and maintenance of beef cattle, all hobby farmers will welcome Hansen’s sound and sensible advice on buying the right cattle, whether steer calves for meat or breeding stock for building up a herd. The buying chapter helps farmers focus on what to look for when selecting cattle; how cows, heifers, and bulls are priced; where to purchase; and how to get cattle to your farm. The feeding and nutrition of cattle is a complicated topic, and Hansen breaks it down into the three basic components that every keeper needs to understand: pasture, hay, and grain. With directness and clarity, she explains the ins and outs of grazing, selecting ideal foodstuffs, using salt and minerals, and maintaining good weight on the herd. The reader can rely on her expert advice to learn the fundamentals of handling cattle, including herding, loading, and transporting cattle, as well as keeping beef cattle healthy through preventive methods, vaccinations, parasite control and veterinary assistance. For hobby farmers planning to breed their livestock, Beef Cattle includes a chapter on pairing cows and heifers, the actual breeding, artificial insemination, the care of pregnant cows, calving, caring for the young, and weaning calves. The final chapter of the book “Marketing and Processing Your Cattle” is geared toward hobby farmers looking to get beef processed, grade meat, and sell the final product. Sidebars of fun trivia, stories from farmers, and useful advice appear throughout the handbook. A glossary of over 100 terms; an appendix of health issues; a resource section of useful websites, books, and periodicals; and a detailed index complete the book.

The role management. A sound breeding program. Disposition. Fertility. Weight. Conformation. Hardiness. Milk production. Bull power. Cow power. The feedlot industry. ACS - pronounced "AX". Suspension fences and gates. Taxation and land ownership. Origin of the beefmaster breed.

Whether your goal is to raise one cow or to own a larger herd of dairy or beef cattle, the expert advice in this hands-on guidebook will tell you all you need to know. How to Raise Cattle guides readers through beef and dairy operations from beginning to end. With more than 200 color photographs, the book covers conventional, sustainable, and organic farming practices to detail all aspects of cattle farming. Easy-to-follow advice helps you to: Choose and buy the cattle suitable for you House and feed cattle Manage your herd and keep it healthy Breed your herd Deliver and raise calves Show cattle at fairs and club meets

Raising cattle in the 21st century can be a complicated process. Starting with the way you feed your cattle, you need to know exactly what is best both for your animals and the milk and meat they produce. With the public conscious slowly turning more toward organic food choices (with as much as a 15 percent boost in organic beef sales since 2005 according to the USDA), there are numerous reasons why deciding to grass feed your animals can be not only an effective means of feeding your cattle, but also a way to make more money in the long run. This book will guide you through the process of knowing exactly how to switch your methods to effectively raise your cattle on grass feed. You will learn the essential basics of raising your cattle with natural feed and care sources, including how the farming shift in this millennium has changed how things are done. You will learn the various differences between raising cattle for milk and meat production and what you can expect from your cattle. You will learn how to improve your overall farm efficiency while ensuring natural feeding, and how to start analysing your soil to better improve your livestock and their lifestyle. You will learn the basics of breeding, heredity, the environment you should raise your livestock, and what feed requirements your animals all require. Dozens of interviews have been conducted with top small farmers and cattle experts and their insight have been included here to help you learn how to properly house your cattle and rear their young, as well as the vital minerals, vitamins, and nutrients your cattle need to be healthy and produce high-quality meat and dairy. You will learn the basics of cattle health care and what you can expect from your livestock. Finally, you will learn some of the most common misconceptions about raising cattle and how you can overcome them. This book, for anyone seeking to raise cattle on grass, is ideal for getting a small farm started or renovating an existing farm.

Successfully raise grass-fed cattle and enjoy the benefits of great-tasting beef and a financially stable enterprise. In this comprehensive guide, Julius Ruechel covers every aspect of raising healthy and thriving grass-fed cattle, offering advice on herd selection, pasture management, medical care, necessary equipment, winter grazing, slaughtering procedures, and more. With tips on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for your beef, Ruechel provides everything you need to know to develop a profitable and environmentally sustainable grass-fed cattle operation.