Homestead Cows

The Complete Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy Cattle

Häftad, Engelska, 2021

379 kr

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Every farm needs a cow — here's how to do it right from day one. Learn how to raise healthy, contented cattle that feed your family, build your soil, and bring your homestead to life. Whether for milk, beef, or both, this is your essential guide to happy cows and a thriving, sustainable farm.Dreaming of your first family milk cow or hoping to manage a small beef herd? Homestead Cows walks you through how to start with cows, choose the right breed, and build a resilient herd that will support your homestead for years to come.Written by Callene and Eric Rapp, award-winning farmers and long-time contributors to Grit Magazine, this trusted guide distills decades of hands-on livestock experience into a complete, realistic plan for success.What You'll Learn Inside Choosing breeds and herd size to fit your land, family, and goalsDesigning practical housing and fencing systems that make chores easierFeeding for health and longevity with rotational grazing and balanced nutritionLow-stress handling and care that keeps cows calm and farmers safeBreeding, calving, and raising calves without fear or confusionProcessing, dairy, and beef basics — make the most of every cowFinancial management and sustainability so your herd supports itself.You'll also gain insight into regenerative soil building, forage systems, and ethical, low-input livestock management that improves both land and life.The Rapps operate Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the US, and manage a herd of heritage Pineywoods cattle, one of North America's oldest and hardiest breeds. With more than 50 years of combined experience, they've handled nearly every species of domestic livestock and bring that depth of understanding to every chapter.For anyone wondering how to:Start raising cows on a small farm or homesteadBalance animal care with self-sufficiency and land healthProduce nutritious food while farming regeneratively.…Homestead Cows is the best guide for beginners and seasoned homesteaders alike.Open the gate — your cows are waiting.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2021-06-29
Mått191 x 225 x 12 mm
Vikt417 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor176
FörlagNew Society Publishers
ISBN9780865719477

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Callene and Eric Rapp have owned and operated the award-winning Rare Hare Barn since 2005, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. In addition to their conservation work with rabbits, they have a large herd of heritage-breed Pineywoods cattle, and work with the critically endangered Palmer-Dunn strain. Callene has also worked with a variety of cattle breeds at the Sedgwick County Zoo, and Eric has had experience with his family's own cow-calf operation. They have over 50 years of combined experience handling nearly every species of domestic livestock and are active members of the Livestock Conservancy. Callene is also a regular contributor to Grit Magazine. Authors of Raising Rabbits for Meat, they live and farm in Leon, Kansas.

DedicationAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Humans and CattleA Brief History of CattleWhat’s Your Plan?Chapter 2: Breeds and Cow Selection Breeds of CattleDairy CattleBeef CattleBreed and EnvironmentTemperamentWhere to Get Your CattleSelecting Breeding StockHealth PapersChapter 3: Handling, Transportation, and InfrastructureWorking Safely Around CattleTransporting CattleFencingFacilities and EquipmentChapter 4: Cattle BiologyForage and DigestionHow Cattle Handle HeatCold WeatherChapter 5: Nutrition and FeedingMajor NutrientsConcentratesChoosing Quality HayBody ConditionDetermining Supplemental Feed NeedsChapter 6: Reproduction in CattleEstrous in CattlePasture BreedingPubertyArtificial InseminationChapter 7: CalvingStages of LaborWhen Things Go WrongWhen to RebreedCalving SeasonCare of the Newborn CalfChapter 8: Raising CalvesIf Mom Does the WorkBottle Raising a CalfWeaning from MomBuying a Calf for BeefConsiderations for Bringing Home a Bucket CalfChapter 9: Cattle HealthCastrationBehavior and Appearance of Healthy CattleAntibioticsImmunity and VaccinationsCommon Health Problems in CattleHealth Problems for CalvesHealth Problems for CowsChapter 10: Milk and MilkingHow the Cow Makes MilkMilking the CowMilking EquipmentRaw MilkMilking BasicsHandling Raw MilkChapter 11: BeefWhen to ProcessFreezer SpaceBeef CutsChapter 12: Cattle and EnvironmentGrassfed BeefGrazing SystemsHow Grass GrowsTypes of GrassesGrazing BehaviorImplementing a Grazing PlanEvaluating PasturesCreating a Sacrifice AreaDeciding Paddock SizeGlossaryAdditional ReadingIndexAbout the AuthorsA Note About the Publisher

"In Homestead Cows, Callene and Eric Rapp take us on an epic journey that covers everything bovine in a uniquely approachable and systematic way. The book covers everything from the history of cattle to the ins and outs of choosing a breed that's right for you and gives you the tools to manage your experiences in a way that's humane for the cattle, the homesteader, and the land. This book is a must-read for every homesteader and small holder with an interest in keeping cattle for virtually any purpose, and would help bring husbandry back to large-scale operators who view cattle as a mere commodity." —Hank Will, editor, Mother Earth News "Homestead Cows is a gem of a book full of great advice for anyone thinking about keeping cattle. It's a must read for newbies!" —Jeanette Beranger, senior program manager, The Livestock Conservancy"This book covers all the aspects of cattle raising for the beginning farmer who's trying to traverse the landscape of farming. Callene and Eric have drilled down into the howto, without being preachy, to build the knowledge you will need when you put your first animals in your first pasture and watch them thrive. The only thing it doesn't cover is the number of old and new curse words you'll learn and use when you hit your shins on the trailer ball. I'm going to order a bunch and it should be a paperback that will fit in your back pocket or that Carhartt jacket pocket."—Carrie Balkcom, executive director, American Grassfed Association"Homestead Cows is an excellent book for anyone interested in raising their own cattle. This book is chock-full of fantastic information useful for experienced cattlemen and novice farmers alike. I would feel confident putting this book in someone's hand and knowing they have all the information they need to raise their own cattle. Callene and Eric did an excellent job writing a book that was easy and enjoyable to read!" —Emily Nyman, heritage livestock expert, photographer, living history reenactor"Cattle have been domesticated for over 10,000 years and people have worked side by side with them, benefiting greatly from the relationship. Dual and triple purpose breeds had many uses including draft power, along with milk and meat. Since 2008, Eric and Callene Rapp have owned and raised Pineywoods cattle when they acquired a bull and seven cows to help conserve this triple purpose breed. They've now compiled all of their cattle raising knowledge into an easy to read book that is perfect for someone who is interested in raising some of their own. Homestead Cows is a comprehensive guide that is perfect for the beginner, but is still useful for the experienced cattleman." —Alicia Boor, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Cottonwood District, K-State Research and Extension