Grass-Fed Cattle: How to Produce and Market Natural Beef [Paperback]

For people starting out in raising grass-fed beef, this book is essential. For the experienced grass farmer, this book is an important addition to the library. Temple, Grandin, designer of humane livestock facilities; author of Animals in Translation

Julius Ruechel covers every aspect of raising grass-fed cattle, including herd selection, breeding, yearly cycles, cultivating and maintaining healthy soil and grass, fencing and pasture rotation, winter grazing, pests and diseases, and necessary equipment.He also provides everything you need to know about marketing your product, from niche market opportunities to scheduling the selling and buying of cattle for the greatest profit, finishing the beef and arranging for slaughter, labeling, marketing, and financial planning and record keeping. He even includes chapters for conventional farmers who are transitioning to natural production, farmers who are considering leasing or buying land, and farmers who want to pursue organic certification. Whether you're running a small backyard hobby farm or a large commercial ranch, this is the information you need to successfully raise and market grass-fed beef.

Join the movement toward safe, healthy, sustainable grass-fed cattle farming. Take advantage of the naturally efficient relationship between cattle and pasture to create a profitable, financially stable enterprise, regardless of the size of your farm, the climate where you live, or your current farming practices.Cattle are wonderfully adept at converting grass into meat, fat, and milk. Here, Julius Ruechel gives you the management and marketing tools you need to meet your personal, financial, and farming goals. Whether you are beginning a new enterprise or changing from a more conventional feeding and management system, Grass-Fed Cattle offers complete information on running a profitable, environmentally sustainable farm based on the efficiency of cattle and grass. Learn how to:*Make the transition from a conventional, grain-fed program to grass-fed production*Manage grazing practices and soil and grass conditions to maximize cattle health and your time and resources*Successfully market your grass-fed beef*Use the step-by-step workbook provided for detailed, customized business planning

Julius Ruechel spent three years converting his familys beef cattle ranch in British Columbia into a certified organic farm with grass-fed cattle and organic field crops. He then established his own grass-fed beef farm in Canadas Yukon Territory. He is the author of Grass-Fed Cattle and currently lives in British Columbia.