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Author Topic: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper  (Read 2468 times)

My Way 2020

  • Joined Apr 2020
A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« on: October 25, 2020, 04:53:20 pm »
I am interested in cattle so could somebody point me in the direction of some good beginners reading.
Thanks

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2020, 04:58:18 pm »
I love Cows for the Smallholder by Val Porter.  Or indeed, anything by Val Porter :)

ETA  It's also worth checking out the Books section on the site here; some of the books have reviews written bu forum members.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2020, 05:00:55 pm by SallyintNorth »
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

My Way 2020

  • Joined Apr 2020
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2020, 05:31:24 pm »
Thanks for coming back....the Val Porter book was the reason I posted when I saw it was published some time ago  I wanted to make certain it was still valid....you seem to confirm it is....great Amazon prime tomorrow.

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2020, 08:53:50 pm »
I have two Val Porter books - I've found them helpful for teh way we keep cattle

My Way 2020

  • Joined Apr 2020
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2020, 06:21:13 pm »
Hi
Thanks for coming back ....book is on its way ..

honeyend

  • Joined Oct 2011
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2020, 12:04:11 pm »
The one book I bought was absolutely useless, I found the https://ahdb.org.uk/ site articles the most use,I would recommend  Youtube videos about cattle handling,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHzTDh5BAtsThere

 are also lectures online.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsYS8BtqbGk
Safety is a big issue, no matter how quiet they look 500kg plus will soon splatter you.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2020, 01:12:02 pm by honeyend »

YorkshireLass

  • Joined Mar 2010
  • Just when I thought I'd settled down...!
Re: A definitive book for a wannabe cattle keeper
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2020, 01:40:34 pm »
Books are good to get s general feel for things, and the logic behind health management, land management etc.
But hands-on experience is critical.


And nothing can ever explain the full suite of paperwork  :tired:


AHDB has "better returns programme" which is a series of quick technical guides, up to date overview rather than something your neighbour's dad did in 1950.
Temple Grandin is great for understanding some behavioural things and thinking about designing systems.


Defra has recently updated the cattle keepers handbook https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/611586/Cattle_Keepers_guidance_ver_1.0.pdf




 

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