Small cattle for small farms / Margo Hayes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hayes, Margo, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cattle--Australia.

Cattle.

Beef cattle--Australia.

Beef cattle.

Farms, Small--Australia.

Farms, Small.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (246 p.)

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Clayton South, Victoria : CSIRO Publishing, 2016.

Summary:

Small cattle breeds are manageable to control and care for and perfect for lifestyle blocks and small farms. They can be bred commercially for beef but their docile temperaments and small size also make them especially suitable for hobby farms. As more people have turned to the country for a 'tree change', interest in these breeds has grown tremendously. In this new edition of her popular book Small Cattle for Small Farms, award-winning cattle breeder Margo Hayes provides practical and easy-to-understand information for people interested in keeping small cattle for a range of reasons. The book assumes no prior experience with cattle and covers all the basics to help you set up an enjoyable and viable small farm, including: types of cattle and production systems available, how to select your stock, explanations of equipment required and basic cattle husbandry. It contains simple explanatory diagrams and photographs to make new concepts clear. With new and expanded sections on small cattle breeds, genetics and breeding systems, this second edition competently addresses questions asked by those entering small farming for the first time while providing a solid reference for those already in the industry. Detailed guidelines for raising healthy cattle through good nutrition, land management and herd monitoring are provided, in addition to tips for showing and marketing your cattle and up-to-date government requirements for land and stockowners.

Contents:

Cover; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 Time for a tree change; 2 Benefits of smaller cattle; 3 Production systems: stud or commercial; 4 Selecting a breed; Role of the breed society; Breed types; Colour plates; 5 Selecting stock; Choosing your breeder; Desirable traits; Structural soundness; Bull reproduction soundness; Other factors; 6 Selecting genetics; Maturity patterns; Breeding systems; Hybrid vigour; Heritable traits; Scientific advances; 7 Infrastructure required; Fencing; Paddocks; Yards; Equipment; Loading facilities; Water; Shelter; Irrigation; 8 Basic cattle husbandry

Health and safetyBehaviour; Joining; Calving; Weaning; Vaccinations; External parasites; Internal parasites; Dehorning; Castration; Nose rings; Other possible health problems; General tips; Suggested management plans; 9 Methods of identification; Management tags; Tattooing; National Livestock Identification System; Branding; 10 Breeding systems; Natural joining; Artificial insemination; Semen collection; Embryo collection; Pregnancy testing; 11 Nutrition; Understanding the terminology; The food process; Nutritional requirements; 12 Healthy soils, healthy pastures, healthy cattle

Healthy soilsHealthy pastures; 13 Showing; Preparation; Entries; Show day; 10 reasons you know you enjoy showing cattle; Showing led steers; Hoof and Hook competitions; 14 Being a player in the beef industry; Production type; Production system; What breed is the best?; Market options; Costs; Terminology; Basic cuts of a beef animal; 15 Marketing; Before you get started; Develop your strategy and make yourself stand out from your competitors; Strategies to win new customers; Marketing tips; 16 Useful equipment in small farms; Fox lights; Gate magnets; Batch latch; Cultivator Pro; Quick hitch

Stock cratesMobile back rub frames; Clipex star pickets; Apps; Software; 17 Government regulations and laws; Legal requirements; Transporting livestock; Brands and earmarks; Animal health and welfare; Livestock on public roads; Chemical residues; Withholding periods and export slaughter intervals; Glossary; Cattle organisations; Further information; Endnotes; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed February 12, 2016).

ISBN:

9781486301881

1486301886

9781486301874

1486301878