Small-Scale Livestock Farming

by Ekarius, Carol

• ISBN13: 9781580171625
• ISBN10: 1580171621
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-10
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Summary

Starting a small-scale livestock farm? First, you need this book! Yes, you can have a prosperous farm and achieve the lifestyle of your dreams ; and farming expert Carol Ekarius will show you how. Small farms can pay big dividends, Ekarius explains, but hard work alone isn't enough: Success demands knowledge and effective management. Ekarius's natural, organic approach to livestock management produces healthier animals, reduces feed and healthcare costs, and maximizes your profit. Through case studies of successful farmers, nitty-gritty details on every facet of livestock farming, and fascinating insights for working with nature instead of against it, you'll learn to make your farm thrive. Small-Scale Livestock Farming will help you: * Determine what you want from your farming life (even if your farm is simply a few backyard animals) * Choose suitable livestock * Understand housing, fencing, and feeding needs of livestock * Learn about reproducing stock and caring for your animals' hea

Author Biography

Carol Ekarius has been a fulltime livestock farmer for nearly a decade, in addition to writing for a variety of newspapers and magazines. She has been involved with the sustainable agriculture movement for many years, including membership on the board of directors of the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota and the board of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. Ekarius and her husband, Ken Woodard, now live and farm in Colorado.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iv
The Roots of Grass-Based Farming	p. 1
Introduction	p. 2
Livestock and the Environment	p. 7
The Holistic Management Model	p. 15
Grass-Farming Basics	p. 26
Animal Husbandry	p. 41
Genetics, Breeding, and Training	p. 42
Feeds and Feeding	p. 59
Facilities	p. 72
Health and Reproduction	p. 80
Marketing	p. 99
Finding a Niche	p. 100
Legalities	p. 117
Butchering and Processing	p. 128
Planning	p. 135
Farm Planning	p. 136
Financial Planning	p. 145
Biological Planning	p. 158
Monitoring	p. 176
Appendixes
Animals	p. 188
Cattle	p. 189
Chickens	p. 191
Goats	p. 193
Horses	p. 195
Pigs	p. 197
Sheep	p. 199
Composition of Common Feedstuffs	p. 201
Figuring Feeds and Feeding	p. 203
Grasses and Legumes	p. 205
Resources	p. 206
Calculations, Equations, and Equivalents	p. 210
Index	p. 211
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