Books for beginners

[City Guy]

What are the five "MUST HAVE" books for the commercial cow/calf producer?

 

[M-5]

1. Check book
2. Check book
3. Check book
4. Check book
5. Phone book

 

[TCRanch]

M-5 is spot on!

The Essential Guide to Calving by Heather Smith Thomas:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1580177069/?t ... 7pnimnfp_e

 

[Margonme]

1. Check book
2. Check book
3. Check book
4. Check book
5. Phone book

LOL. You got that right.

 

[Anonymous]

Hate to disagree M-5
1 savings book
2 check book
3 phone book

 

[M-5]

Hate to disagree M-5
1 savings book
2 check book
3 phone book

No problem. But I was taught not to write a check unless the funds were there. I should have included the good book because you gotta do alot of praying too. In all honesty no book can prepare you , that's why you don't get any respect city guy true success in anything does not come from what's between the covers of a book. It can help the ignorant but it's not required. Look at the successful farmers from before the information age.

 

[HDRider]

Hate to disagree M-5
1 savings book
2 check book
3 phone book

No problem. But I was taught not to write a check unless the funds were there. I should have included the good book because you gotta do alot of praying too. In all honesty no book can prepare you , that's why you don't get any respect city guy true success in anything does not come from what's between the covers of a book. It can help the ignorant but it's not required. Look at the successful farmers from before the information age.

I can testify to M's statement. I am almost a year in, having a few head since October, and school has just started. I read a whole host of books by experts and gurus. It didn't hurt me too much. The real help is the practitioner and practice.

One cannot underestimate the expense, and the hard work it takes to get it all together. I have a deep, and growing respect for the cattleman. I am overwhelmed at times, but find satisfaction when my wife points out what we have done in this year, and simply taking it one step at a time.

 

[riquezada]

Books? There are a lot of books out there but like opinions, which one is right. I read a lot but I think that getting to know a good producer, hanging around them a bit, observing and listening will go way further than a book. I agree, a checkbook needs to read very carefully

 

[Workinonit Farm]

The Stockman's Handbook
Merck Veterinary Manual

Off the top of my head, those are good reference books to have.

 

[HDRider]

Not sure where your farm is, or will be, but a wise man suggested Southern Forages by Ball, Hoverland and Lacefield.

Good grass is important. Books by Voisin and Howard should be in your collection.

 

[RanchMan90]

What are the five "MUST HAVE" books for the commercial cow/calf producer?

Have you read "the farming game" by Brian Jones?

 

[talltimber]

M-5 is spot on!

The Essential Guide to Calving by Heather Smith Thomas:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1580177069/?t ... 7pnimnfp_e

I agree with this one if you have not calved heifers before. It's a good read, very informative, but due to the nature of each individual heifer and circumstance, no two are alike. Calving is not a cookie-cutter process, one to the other. Still, it does provide a lot of info for the new people to calving, when assistance is likely. I would buy it again. I also got her other book, raising beef cattle or something like that, not all the way through that one yet.

Another good read, for the backgrounder, and just for the read (it has a number of personal experiences noted in it) is the Thoughts and Advice From An Old Cattleman by Gordan Hazard, DVM

 

[TCRanch]

Talltimber, her other two books include Raising Beef Cattle and the Cattle Health Handbook. Both are good but the Essential Guide to Calving is a lot more personal and anecdotal.

https://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Ra ... 1603424547
https://www.amazon.com/Cattle-Health-Ha ... B18RTXKG06

 

[Anonymous]

Amen M-5

 

[WalnutCrest]

I'll echo the recommendation of the book by Dr. Hazard.

I'll also add "Man, Cattle, Veld" by Johan Zietsmann.

 

[TCRanch]

M-5 is spot on!

The Essential Guide to Calving by Heather Smith Thomas:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1580177069/?t ... 7pnimnfp_e

I agree with this one if you have not calved heifers before. It's a good read, very informative, but due to the nature of each individual heifer and circumstance, no two are alike. Calving is not a cookie-cutter process, one to the other. Still, it does provide a lot of info for the new people to calving, when assistance is likely. I would buy it again. I also got her other book, raising beef cattle or something like that, not all the way through that one yet.

Another good read, for the backgrounder, and just for the read (it has a number of personal experiences noted in it) is the Thoughts and Advice From An Old Cattleman by Gordan Hazard, DVM

Yowza!!! I was going to order it but for $1157.05 I'll just continue to chat with my neighbor (another "Old Cattleman"). I did find one - used - for $683.06. Am I looking at the wrong book?

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thought ... 0972033800
https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-advice- ... 0972033807

 

[talltimber]

Yes, that's it. I thought it was worth the money myself??
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Paying over thirty is unnecessary. Here is one source, I think I had found a different source of around 28 bucks or so but can't find it now.
http://www.powerflexfence.com/product_p/gh-taoc.htm

 

[midTN_Brangusman]

Thoughts and advice from an old cattleman by Gordon Hazard is a great book especially if you are a stocker man.

 

[WRFarms]

"Herd Bull Fertility" by James E. Drayson
"Reproduction & Animal Health" by Charles Walter and Gearld Fry

 

[TCRanch]

Yes, that's it. I thought it was worth the money myself??
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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Paying over thirty is unnecessary. Here is one source, I think I had found a different source of around 28 bucks or so but can't find it now.
http://www.powerflexfence.com/product_p/gh-taoc.htm

Thank you! Just ordered it.