While dual-purpose livestock breeds are not exactly commonplace anymore, they are frequently favorites on many small farms and homesteads. Chicken breeds that are suitable for both meat and eggs are probably the most common, followed by cattle that can serve meat, milk, and draft purposes alike. But there are also sheep suitable for fiber, meat,Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Dual-Purpose Livestock”
Tag Archives: Breeding
Getting Started with Livestock Part 4: Breed
Pointers and resources for choosing animal breeds that will thrive on your farm.
Choosing a Breed of Cattle
We are excited to announce the release of a new book—Choosing a Breed of Cattle: 5 Needs and 40 Breeds for Selecting Cattle That Fit Your Purpose by Michelle Lindsey! When you start by assessing the five needs of every future cattle owner, choosing between the many breeds of cattle available today suddenly becomes muchContinue reading “Choosing a Breed of Cattle”
Beef Tenderness and the Shear Force Test
Tenderness is critical to the meat-eating experience—nobody enjoys sinking their teeth into a tough steak. A tried-and-true method of testing beef tenderness is the plain old taste test. These days, however, there are ways to objectively measure the precise tenderness of a cut of beef. The Warner-Bratzler Shear Force Test The Warner-Bratzler shear force testContinue reading “Beef Tenderness and the Shear Force Test”
Basic Principles of Breeding Heirloom Vegetables
Tips for raising vigorous seeds, whether your goal is to preserve a variety or to create a locally adapted strain.
Beef Cattle Talk: A Glosssary
From 3 in 1 to heterosis to yield grade, all those confusing cattle terms you have wondered about.
Why Are Dairy Bulls More Dangerous Than Beef Bulls?
Many dairy bulls start life docile and trustworthy. Their disposition often changes when they reach three to five years of age. Here are some of the reasons why.
The Broody Hen Versus the Incubator
Natural chick hatching or high-tech precision? Both methods have advantages.
What is a Composite Breed?
Want to combine the best characteristics of several breeds? A composite may be the answer.
Pick-a-Chick
Looking for the best breed of chicken to raise this year? How about a heritage breed? Heritage chicken breeds may not reach the egg or meat production levels of commercial hybrids, but they are often healthier and hardier, not to mention more attractive. For a free-range situation, heritage breeds can’t be beat. The Livestock ConservancyContinue reading “Pick-a-Chick”
