Need info on raising cattle

[SteveM]

This probably sounds crazy, but I have a 40 acre farm that I currently rent out for feed corn harvesting. I make absolutely nothing on the rent. I would like to begin, on a small scale, raising cattle or possibly sheep. I would only hope to break even, and have a bit of fun. I have some knowledge of farming, but where can I go for an 'idiot's guide' to raising farm animals? I need to know things like feeding/vaccinations, different cycles of their lives, what type of barn would be best, etc. I am hoping to build the barn this spring, maybe bring on a few animals....Thanks!

 

[TerryinMD]

SteveM,

Look at this post Bred heifers .

Terry

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TerryinMD on 12/03/01 01:25 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Bird]

Steve, call or go see your county agricultural extension agent. I'll bet he (or she) will have about all the literature you want.

 

[cowboydoc]

If you go with beef cattle they are not too hard to raise if you raise them after they are weaned. Buying 200-400 weight cattle is not to dangerous, as far as them dying. Really all you need to do is give them shelter, shots once a year, and feed them twice a day. Watch for sickness and hit early and hit it hard. Now if you are talking about finishing cattle to send to market that is a different story. Anyway I don't know of any good books but like Bird said your county extension agency is a good place to start.

 

[Hillbilly]

I have 2 books that cover just about every conceivable thing there is about livestock,ranching etc. I bought them from a company called Nasco.the author of both of the books is DR. M.E. Ensminger. they are titled:
1.Beef Cattle Science (1030 pages) Hardback
2.The Stockmans Handbook (1030 pages) Hardback
These books are loaded with lots of valuable information,a great reference etc.