Additional information
by Callene Rapp (Author), Eric Rapp (Author)
Every farm needs a cow -- here's how to do it right from day one. Learn how to raise healthy, contented cattle that feed your family, build your soil, and bring your homestead to life. Whether for milk, beef, or both, this is your essential guide to happy cows and a thriving, sustainable farm.
Dreaming of your first family milk cow or hoping to manage a small beef herd? Homestead Cows walks you through how to start with cows, choose the right breed, and build a resilient herd that will support your homestead for years to come.
Written by Callene and Eric Rapp, award-winning farmers and long-time contributors to Grit Magazine, this trusted guide distills decades of hands-on livestock experience into a complete, realistic plan for success.
What You'll Learn Inside
- Choosing breeds and herd size to fit your land, family, and goals
- Designing practical housing and fencing systems that make chores easier
- Feeding for health and longevity with rotational grazing and balanced nutrition
- Low-stress handling and care that keeps cows calm and farmers safe
- Breeding, calving, and raising calves without fear or confusion
- Processing, dairy, and beef basics -- make the most of every cow
- Financial management and sustainability so your herd supports itself.
You'll also gain insight into regenerative soil building, forage systems, and ethical, low-input livestock management that improves both land and life.
The Rapps operate Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the US, and manage a herd of heritage Pineywoods cattle, one of North America's oldest and hardiest breeds. With more than 50 years of combined experience, they've handled nearly every species of domestic livestock and bring that depth of understanding to every chapter.
For anyone wondering how to:
- Start raising cows on a small farm or homestead
- Balance animal care with self-sufficiency and land health
- Produce nutritious food while farming regeneratively.
...Homestead Cows is the best guide for beginners and seasoned homesteaders alike.
Open the gate -- your cows are waiting.
Back Jacket
Every farm needs a cow - open the gates!
A must-read for every homesteader and small-holder with an interest in keeping cattle for virtually any purpose. -- HANK WILL, editor, Mother Earth News A comprehensive guide that is perfect for the beginner, but is still useful for the experienced cattleman. -- ALICIA BOOR, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Cottonwood District, K-State Research and ExtensionWITH AN APPROACH built around investing for the long term, Homestead Cows prepares home- steaders and small farmers to open the farm gate to cattle, whether a single milk cow or a small beef herd.
Homestead Cows covers the A to Z of husbandry:
- Cow history, biology, diet, and nutrition
- Understanding what you want, what's involved, and creating a plan
- Selecting breeds and determining herd size
- Housing and facilities, transportation, and equipment
- Financial management and the dollars and cents of cows
- Breeding and reproduction
- Cow health and happiness, including safety, handling, and good husbandry
- Processing, products, and cooking.
Cattle are the most productive, versatile, and low-input sources of food and revenue on the farm and can help regenerate and build soil. The secret to success is excellent management, and Home- stead Cows distills decades of hard-won, practical knowledge into an essential guide to successful small-scale cattle farming for every homesteader and farmer.
A gem of a book; full of great advice for anyone thinking about keeping cattle. -- JEANETTE BERANGER, senior program manager, The Livestock Conservancy Required reading for anyone with cattle or considering cattle. -- JOANNA WILL, head herdswoman, Prairie Turnip FarmEric and Callene Rapp own and operate the award-winning Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. Authors of Raising Rabbits for Meat, they have over 50 years of combined experience handling nearly every species of domestic livestock. They live and farm in Leon, Kansas.
To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.
Author Biography
Callene and Eric Rapp have owned and operated the award-winning Rare Hare Barn since 2005, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. In addition to their conservation work with rabbits, they have a large herd of heritage-breed Pineywoods cattle, and work with the critically endangered Palmer-Dunn strain. Callene has also worked with a variety of cattle breeds at the Sedgwick County Zoo, and Eric has had experience with his family's own cow-calf operation. They have over 50 years of combined experience handling nearly every species of domestic livestock and are active members of the Livestock Conservancy. Callene is also a regular contributor to Grit Magazine. Authors of Raising Rabbits for Meat, they live and farm in Leon, Kansas.
