Raising Beef Cattle For Dummies

Your hands–on guide to raising and caring for beef cattle If 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

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

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.