Whether a farmer is raising one cow or a herd, “Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle” is the most reliable reference for ensuring a successful, healthy cattle operation. In this fully updated, full-color fourth edition, long-time cattle rancher and author Heather Smith Thomas explains every aspect of bovine behavior and provides expert guidance on breed selection, calving, feeding, housing, pasture, and health care. Along with in-depth information on raising grass-fed animals, there is also advice on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for selling beef.
The fourth edition of the most trusted and comprehensive reference on beef cattle health care, breed selection, and grass-fed cattle—raising techniques is now fully revised and updated, featuring color photography and illustration.
Chapter 1 Breeds and Genetics: An Overview Choosing Beef Cattle - Breeds and Types of Beef Cattle - Which Type Is Best? - Inheritance of Traits - Crossbreeding and Hybrid Vigor - Selecting for Certain Characteristics
Chapter 2: Handling and Behavior of Beef Cattle Basic Cow Psychology - Grazing Behavior - Training Cattle - Moving Cattle - Avoiding Injury
Chapter 3: Issues in Buying and Selling Buying a Weaned Calf to Raise for Beef - Buying Calves at Auction - Buying from a Farmer - Buying a Heifer - What Makes a Good Beef Cow? - Buying Pregnant Heifers or Cows - Buying Open Yearlings - Marketing Cattle - Dealing with Shrink - Getting Cattle Ready for Market
Chapter 4: General Guidelines for Raising Beef Cattle Understanding Your Calf's Behavior - Care for the Weaned Calf - Winter Care of the New Calf - Summer Care of the Yearling - The End Product: Beef - Feeds and Finishing
Chapter 5: Pasture, Fencing, and Facilities Pastures: Sizes and Types - Water - Pasture Fencing - Pens and Facilities - Working in Corrals - Feeding Facilities - Equipment and Supplies
Chapter 8: Growing and Breeding Heifers Feeding Weaned Heifers - Age at Puberty - When to Breed - Nutrition for the Pregnant Yearling - Basics of Reproduction in Cattle - Choosing the Bull and Getting the Heifer Bred
Chapter 9: Care of the Pregnant Cow Nutrition - Disease Prevention - Problems of Pregnancy
Chapter 10: Calving Create a Safe Environment for Calving - Calving Facilities - Cold-Weather Calving - Handling Cows at Calving Time - Signs of Approaching Parturition - Minimizing Calving Problems: Getting the Calves Born Alive - First Things First: Get the Calf Breathing
Chapter 11: Care of the Newborn Calf First Breath - Care of the Umbilical Cord - Helping a Calf to Nurse - Importance of Colostrum - Helping in Different Situations
