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”
Tag Archives: Cattle
Adding Value to Milk
Looking for ways to expand your small-farm dairy business? Milk offers many opportunities for diversifying your product offerings! Here are some common ways to add value to farm-fresh milk. Cream Cream is not one of the more popular value-added dairy products around, but it does have a loyal following among health-conscious customers. Fresh, raw creamContinue reading “Adding Value to Milk”
What are Animal Units?
A handy tool for mixed-species grazing and how to use it.
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”
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.
What is the International Letter Code System?
Plus tips for choosing a cattle identification system right for your herd.
Heritage Livestock Breeds Comparison Charts
We recently linked to the Pick-a-Chick chart from the Livestock Conservancy, allowing prospective chicken keepers to compare the characteristics of heritage breeds at a glance. The Livestock Conservancy has many other useful charts for other types of livestock, as well: Cattle. Horses. Donkeys. Pigs. Goats. Sheep. Rabbits. Turkeys. Geese. Ducks. Depending on the type ofContinue reading “Heritage Livestock Breeds Comparison Charts”
What is a Composite Breed?
Want to combine the best characteristics of several breeds? A composite may be the answer.
Grazing Systems Planning Guide
Is the thought of planning a rotational or management-intensive grazing system daunting to you? If you are new to the concept, you will probably appreciate this free guide from the University of Minnesota Extension Service—Grazing Systems Planning Guide.
