- ISBN13: 9781580177061
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Every cattle farmer — from the keeper of a family milk cow to the rancher overseeing a large herd — will gain confidence and control by becoming more knowledgeable about calving. Healthy pregnancies, safe births, and thriving calves are critical to every cattle operation, and in remote farm locations, the veterinarian is not always readily available. Even if the vet is nearby, the farm’s finances will be healthier if the farmer can oversee most of the calving process.
Heather Smith Thomas, an expert on livestock with decades of firsthand experience, covers every routine situation likely to arise before, during, and after calving. And when the calving process is out of the ordinary, Thomas guides the farmer through pregnancy problems, difficult deliveries, recognizing when to call in a vet, and postpartum complications. Her thorough coverage of what to expect in every situation gives farmers the knowledge they need to care personally for their cows.
The second half of the book is dedicated to ensuring that every calf gets off to a healthy start. Thomas helps farmers work with cows reluctant to nurse, substitute mothers, and frail calves. A complete chapter on calfhood illnesses explains warning signs and offers tips on prevention and treatment.
As people return to farming in growing numbers, the demand for safe, humane livestock knowledge continues to increase. Farmers will turn to this reliable volume again and again as they welcome each new calf.
Essential Guide to Calving: Giving Your Beef or Dairy Herd a Healthy Start
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5 Responses
This is a very easy to read and understand book. I have been raising beef cattle for a few years and have been very lucky with no serious problems. But the time has come to better educate myself and this is the best book that I have come across. The layout is easy for reference and with down to earth explainations for the average, non-vet person. Putting their personal experiences in takes out the textbook feel. I appreciate the pictures as I am a visual person. This is the 2nd book I have read by Heather Smith Thomas—she and her family are the type I would love to have as neighbors. All that knowledge and life experiences being passed on in her books. Great!
Rating: 5 / 5
Posted on June 14th, 2010 at 1:04 am
IF you have pregnant cows or heifers you will be having calves. Isn’t that the idea? Cows can be intimidating (even with our wee Irish Dexters) and you might think “they know what to do” but sometimes they need help. This book is excellent in helping you learn what is normal and what is not, what might go wrong and importantly- when to call for help.
Being a nurse-midwife, I have delivered 2-legged babes, but calving is new to me. It is easy to ask a person “do you feel pressure?” Try getting an answer from a cow… This book is wonderful at explaining the basics of bovine prenatal care, labor management and postpartum care. Keeping your cow healthy and having a healthy calf- these are the goals and both are met within the pages.
Even if you are a life-long cattleperson, this book will teach you something. It has to; it covers areas that the Thomas’ have seen over their careers and some are pretty bizarre. Pictures and stories are heartwarming and informative. This book will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your calves and momma cows do great.
Rating: 5 / 5
Posted on June 14th, 2010 at 2:40 am
We are expecting our first calf. Heather Thomas Smith is a trusted author in our household. So when we saw her book we knew we had to have it. Her information is a no-nonsense approach. It is filled with everything from before the calf arrives to getting off to a good start. The book is filled with helpful photos. A great resource!
Rating: 5 / 5
Posted on June 14th, 2010 at 2:56 am
This is an excellent reference book for calving. Heather Smith Thomas knows her stuff and writes in an easy to use style. Recommend additional titles from this author
Rating: 5 / 5
Posted on June 14th, 2010 at 5:52 am
This book was delivered as promised and the information is invaluable. I thought that I knew cattle but have certainly learned a lot that I didn’t know. The book is well written and easy to understand. This was a good deal!
Rating: 5 / 5
Posted on June 14th, 2010 at 6:52 am
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