The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Daleswoman on May 09, 2016, 12:52:00 pm
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Please can anyone help with recommendations for books / websites that will give me a basic outline for keeping beef cattle on a small scale (as in 2 steers!)? I want something that will give an overview of general husbandry, health management - worming, vaccinations, fly control, TB etc - and that has enough detail to use as reference for potential future problems, like overgrown feet, signs and symptoms of diseases etc.
Everything I've found so far is either too superficial and not detailed enough for my needs, or it's TOO detailed and aimed at the professional /commercial farmer rather than the smallholder. Or is American. Or is out of date. (Amazon has a second hand book on Dexter cattle that I'd love to buy but it was published in 1954 and costs over £50!)
For my sheep, I went on a day course at the local college and to the lambing course run by my own vet, but there is nothing equivalent for cattle.
At the moment I specifically want to know about worming (when and what with), and flystrike prevention (I assume they need some fly repellent when they are turned out?).
TIA!
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I found The Backyard Cow by Sue Weaver and Caring for Cows by Valerie Porter to be helpful introductions to the subject. After that you can graduate to Roger Blowey's A Veterinary Book for Dairy Farmers and the like.
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Valerie Porter is excellent :thumbsup:
(I haven't read the other, not saying anything agin it.)
Diseases and vaccinations, supplements and so on, vary by locale, so I'd have a chat with your vet about what vaccines, drenched, jags and supplements they recommend.
We usually worm stirks on first turnout after weaning; fluke everything on housing in Autumn and again 6 weeks later; mineral bolus on first turnout, and licks always available; never needed to give cattle fly protection unless they have a wound.
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I would recommend talking to your local cattle farmers and good breeders which are happy to teach all they know about cattle. It would also be good to look around their farms with them and ask as many questions as you like, I am sure they would be happy to share knowledge. One word of advice though it might be better to avoid the big dairy farms, as I have found they're not exactly helpful!
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I think all dairy farmers are having a very hard time at present. None have given up in our area recently but I know many are struggling to keep the herds built up by generations of their family going at all, let alone profitably.
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Valerie Porter "Caring for Cows"
I'd recommend reading that then speaking to your vet about a health plan. Doesn't have to be anything fancy but it will help crystalize your thinking.
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There's a set of basic guides on TAS written by Rosemary, not specifically for beef but possibly useful as a primer:
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/cattle/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/cattle/)
HTH.
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Thank you so much for the replies and advice.
I've ordered both the books.
Dan - I've read Rosemary's excellent articles but now need something a bit more in-depth, but thanks!
The Dexters are doing great now, btw, they will come to a bucket and follow me around their pen quite happily :D