Animal husbandry Books

Book SynopsisNew edition of the award-winning cookbook Memories of Gascony from three-Michelin starred chef Pierre Koffmann

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Book SynopsisPractical Sheep Keeping [new paperback edition] explains everything you need to know to manage sheep and keep them healthy. Aimed particularly at the keeper of the small flock - say around thirty ewes - the principles nevertheless apply to flocks of all sizes. From choosing and buying, through housing, feeding and routine management, to breeding and lambing, Kim Cardell offers sound advice based on many years' experience.

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Book SynopsisPigs - A guide to Management - Second Edition provides a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of pig-keeping: how pigs have developed, the influence of the market on the breeds and pig-keeping systems, nutrition, the pig and its environment, reproduction, piglet birth, survival, growth and development, and the important place of artificial insemination in both modern commercial production and maintaining our rare breeds. The welfare, care and managemet of the pig through to its sale as a finished pig, along with that of the breeding sow, gilt, boar, is a central theme.

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Book SynopsisMutton is a great story with its deep impact on the landscape, history and culture of the UK. Bob Kennard addresses all the issues: what's a wether, mutton as a super-meat, mutton farming round the world, how sheep have shaped the landscape, mutton recipes, braxy ham, salt marsh mutton, butchery tips, lists of mutton breeds, directory of suppliers.

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Book Synopsis‘A windswept love letter to Scotland’s heritage sheep and to the Orkney farming community too.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment The Lost Flock is the story of the remarkable and rare little horned sheep, known as Orkney Boreray, and the wool-obsessed woman who moved to one of Scotland’s wildest islands to save them. It was Jane Cooper’s passion for knitting that led her to discover the world of rare-breed sheep and their wool. Through this, Jane uncovered the ‘Orkney Borerary’ – a unique group within the UK’s rarest breed of sheep, the Boreray, and one of the few surviving examples of primitive sheep in northern Europe. As her knowledge of this rarest of heritage breeds grew, she took the bold step to uproot her quiet suburban life in Newcastle and relocate to Orkney, embarking on a new adventure and life as farmer and shepherd. Jane was astonished to find that she was the sole custodian of this lost flock in the world, and so she began investigating their mysterious and ancient history, tracking down the origins of the Boreray breed and its significance to Scotland’s natural heritage. From Viking times to Highland crofts and nefarious research experiments in Edinburgh, this is a so-far untold real-life detective story. It is also the story of one woman’s relentless determination to ensure a future for her beloved sheep, and in doing so revealing their deep connection to the Scottish landscape. An unforgettable story of a heritage breed and the importance of its existence. ‘Rare-breed sheep, Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes and a woman on a mission. All the perfect ingredients for an ovine true-life adventure.’ Sally Coulthard, author of A Short History of the World According to SheepTrade Review‘A windswept love letter to Scotland’s heritage sheep and to the Orkney farming community too. Jane Cooper gives a hands-on account of her quest to save a ‘lost flock’ of primitive sheep – of historic notability.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment‘Rare-breed sheep, Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes and a woman on a mission. All the perfect ingredients for an ovine true-life adventure.’ Sally Coulthard, author of A Short History of the World According to Sheep‘A delightful tale about one woman’s passionate commitment to save a unique breed of sheep. Small, with hairy neck ruffs of black and tan, her chosen wards are not just any sheep; obscure and ignored by the commercial sheep farming community, Jane’s flock in Orkney were in danger of dying out. The story of their enchanting history, promotion and salvation is a tribute to how individual dedication can avert the very worst of outcomes.’ Derek Gow, author of Bringing Back the Beaver‘Starting with the history of the Boreray, one of our rarest sheep breeds, The Lost Flock tells the fascinating and rather romantic story of the so-called Lost Flock, a group within the breed that got left behind when the rest were added to the official register. An extremely useful and very well-written addition to the library of books on our native livestock breeds.’ Christopher Price, CEO of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust‘Beautifully written and impeccably researched, Jane Cooper is deeply committed to her flock of Borerays. Cooper proves to be the ultimate ovine detective, solving the three-thousand-year mystery of the Lost Flock while simultaneously securing the future of smallhold farming in Orkney. She is a treasure to the industry and a hero to the breed.’ Linda Cortright, founder of Wild Fibers magazine and author of Twisted Tales‘Jane Cooper combines intelligence, heart and passion to create a life of integrity not only for herself but for one of the rarest breeds of sheep on the planet – and, ultimately, to build a community that promotes the well-being of all its members, two-foot and four-foot, and of the earth. Her trials and triumphs offer a stellar example for others to follow in their own ways. Bravo!’ Deborah Robson, coauthor of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook ‘I fell in love with this craft, these sheep, their islands, this determined woman and her story: how a knitter and spinner of wool became a shepherd and changed the fortunes of a rare and ancient breed of sheep; how, if you are bold and passionate enough to pursue, pull and ‘roo’ the threads of a craft, it will take you to the wildest heart of things.’ Nicola Chester, author of On Gallows Down‘The Lost Flock is a hugely readable ode to obsession and how one woman’s knitting project led her to fall in love with the rarest of rare breeds and follow her passion to the ends of the earth. Part history lesson, part life lesson, Jane Cooper extols the virtues of preindustrial farming and cultivating a deeper connection with food, land and biosphere. The lost flock shows the power of one committed individual to enact positive change and save part of our shared natural heritage from extinction.’ Ross Barnett, author of The Missing Lynx‘There’s so much interesting historical information threaded through Jane Cooper’s book about her adventures to preserve the Lost Flock of Boreray.’ Suzanna Crampton, author of Bodacious: The Shepherd Cat

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Book SynopsisDiscover how humanely handling your livestock can improve the day-to-day operation and profitability of your farm. Stressing the importance of understanding livestock behavior, Temple Grandin shows you how to develop a respectful working relationship with your animals to promote their health and productivity. With detailed construction plans for animal-friendly facilities of all sizes and dozens of low-stress methods for moving your livestock on pastures, padlocks, and feedlot pens, this guide has everything you need to know to create a comfortable atmosphere for thriving, happy livestock.

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Book Synopsis“I love your ideas, but I only have a few acres. How do I do this at my scale?” Success with domestic livestock does not require large land bases. Joel Salatin and his family’s Polyface Farm in Virginia lead the world in animal-friendly and ecologically authentic, commercial, pasture-based livestock production. In Polyface Micro he adapts the ideas and protocols to small holdings (including apartments)! Homesteaders can increase production, enjoy healthy animals, and create aesthetically and aromatically pleasant livestock systems. Whether you’re a new or seasoned homesteader, you’ll find tips and inspiration as Joel coaches you toward success and abundance.

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Book SynopsisTop-Bar Beekeeping is an offering designed to encourage beekeepers around the world to keep bees naturally by providing beekeeping basics, hive management and the utilization of top-bar hives. In recent years, beekeepers have had to face tremendous challenges, from pests, such as varroa and tracheal mites, to the mysterious but even more devastating phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Yet in backyards and on rooftops all over the world, bees are being raised successfully, even without antibiotics, miticides, or other chemical inputs. More and more organically-minded beekeepers are now using top-bar hives, in which the shape of the interior resembles a hollow log. Long lasting and completely biodegradable, a top-bar hive made of untreated wood allows bees to build comb naturally rather than simply filling prefabricated foundation frames in a typical box hive with added supers. Top-bar hives yield slightly less honey but produce more beeswax than a typical Langstroth box hive. Regular hive inspection and the removal of old combs helps to keep bees healthier and naturally disease-free. Top-Bar Beekeeping provides complete information on hive management and other aspects of using these innovative hives. All home and hobbyist beekeepers who have the time and interest in keeping bees intensively should consider the natural, low-stress methods outlined in this book. It will also appeal to home orchardists, gardeners, and permaculture practitioners who look to bees for pollination as well as honey or beeswax.Trade Review ForeWord Reviews- "Farmers who seek a guide to hive maintenance told through a thoughtful personal narrative will benefit from the discussion of this topbar style of beekeeping. The first-person style of the book allows a window into the practices of the topbar beekeeper while conveying a wealth of knowledge and a well-researched comparison of hive practices. The book is appropriate for beginning beekeepers as well as those experienced but looking for information on natural and organic beekeeping practices. The book’s ten sections discuss optimal practices of an organic beekeeper juxtaposed with discussion of industry standard practices and their drawbacks. Each section contains stories of the authors’ successes and failures as well as diagrams and pictures to explain everything from hive design to plant species for optimal pollination. Whether the reader is looking to start their own hive or simply increase their knowledge of honeybees, the book provides interesting and detailed discussions of all aspects of raising them. Crowder and Harrell offer not only advice on how to get started, but an in-depth discussion of all aspects of keeping a hive, from bee capture, breeding, and selection to honey processing. They have crafted a book that is both informative and engaging, filled with introspective advice and practical knowledge." Publisher's Weekly- "Cave drawings show beekeepers “smoking” their hives, preparing for insect interaction. Today’s mass-produced honey relies mostly on the venerable Langstroth method of beekeeping, which has produced plenty of honey—but also has introduced plenty of chemicals into the process—through the years. Top-bar hives, named for the bars that run across their tops, are popular with bee beginners even though they produce less honey than Langstroth hives. But this account, the culmination of Crowder and Harrell’s 40 years of top-bar beekeeping adventures, shows the reader their method’s advantages: it avoids antibiotics, miticides, and other chemicals inherent to the conventional process. Crowder and his wife, Harrell, leave no comb unharvested as they take the top-bar aspirant from bee basics (stings, smoke, and hive transfers) through hive management (comb removal and feeding) to beneficial, and profitable, byproducts like beeswax. For those a bit lukewarm to the swarm, the book gives a fascinating insight into bees’ elaborate organizational and geometry skills, and it may even make one reconsider buying mass-marketed, chemical-laced honey.""Reading Top-Bar Beekeeping reminds me of the classes I took with Les Crowder several years ago. He's a man who truly knows whereof he speaks, who has the gift of communicating with his small friends, the bees, and sharing his understanding with us. . . . This is the one book on beekeeping that I will recommend to my permaculture students."--Scott Pittman, Director, Permaculture Institute USA "This is an excellent guide for hobby beekeepers who wish to keep bees using top-bar hives. Drawing on his more than 30 years of beekeeping experience in New Mexico, author Les Crowder describes in detail the special comb management techniques that this low-cost, but relatively intensive, form of beekeeping requires. Top-Bar Beekeeping also provides an eloquent appeal for beekeepers to make care, respect, and reverence the foundation of their relationships with the bees."--Thomas D. Seeley, Cornell University; author of Honeybee Democracy and The Wisdom of the Hive"This book presents practical advice, gained from first-hand experience, on the organic management of top bar hives. This book will serve as an excellent guide to the ever-growing number of beekeepers that utilizes less intrusive management schemes such as top bar hives. Thanks to Les and Heather for their efforts to provide sound advice on natural ways to keep bees."--Dr. Jeff Pettis, USDA-ARS Table of Contents1. Top-bar hives 2. The supercreature 3. Beekeeping basics 4. Hive management 5. The seasons 6. Honey, beeswax, and other products 7. Evaluating your queen 8. Problem-solving 9. Raising queens 10. Planting for bees

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Book SynopsisUpdated and revised, this bestselling textbook continues to provide a broad introduction to the key topics in the welfare of animals both large and small, farm and companion, wild and zoo. It retains all the popular features of the previous editions with coverage of key issues such as ethics, animal pain and injury, health and disease, social conditions, and welfare dilemmas and problems. Importantly, it also offers practical advice for welfare assessment, with a full section dedicated to the implementation of solutions. The third edition: - Contains many more examples of welfare issues in different countries, particularly the implications for smallholders as well as larger scale agriculture - Covers fish welfare as well as welfare of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates - Includes concepts of positive emotion and other positive aspects of welfare - Focuses on animal welfare and sustainability - Includes an integrated ebook with additional material and videos With contributions from renowned international experts and a new editorial team, Animal Welfare, 3rd Edition is an essential resource for students and researchers in animal and veterinary sciences and other disciplines considering the science and practice of animal welfare, and for practitioners and decision-makers worldwide.Table of Contents-: Introduction Part I: Issues 1: Animal Ethics 2: Understanding Animal Welfare Part II: Problems 3: Environmental Challenge and Animal Agency 4: Hunger and Thirst 5: Pain 6: Fear and Other Negative Emotions 7: Frustration and Boredom in Impoverished Environments Part III: Assessment 8: Health and Disease 9: Behaviour 10: Physiology 11: Preference and Motivation Research 12: Practical Strategies to Assess (and Improve) Welfare Part IV: Solutions 13: Physical Conditions 14: Social Conditions 15: Human Contact 16: Genetic Selection Part V: Implementation 17: Economics 18: Regulation, Enforcement and Incentives 19: International Issues

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Book SynopsisWith in-depth information on electric fencing, watering, and husbandry for ruminants, poultry, and pigs, plus butchering, dairying, and more “If we work hard, we sleep well.” Twenty years ago, when authors Shawn and Beth Dougherty purchased the land they would come to name the Sow’s Ear, the state of Ohio designated it “not suitable for agriculture.” Today, their family raises and grows 90% of their own food. Such self-sufficiency is largely the result of basing their farming practices around intensive pasture management. Pioneered by such luminaries as Allan Savory, Greg Judy, and Joel Salatin, the tenets of holistic grazing—employed mostly by larger-scale commercial operations—have been adapted by the Doughertys to fit their family’s needs. In The Independent Farmstead, The Sow’s Ear model for regenerating the land and growing food—“the best you ever tasted”—is elucidated for others to use and build upon. In witty and welcoming style, The Independent Farmstead covers everything from choosing a species of ruminant and incorporating it into a grass-based system to innovative electric fencing and watering systems, to what to do with all of the milk, meat, and, yes, manure that the self-sustaining farm produces. Within these pages, the Doughertys discuss how to: Find and improve poor, waste, or abused land and develop its natural water resources; Select and purchase the appropriate ruminant for regenerating your farmstead; Apply fencing strategies and pasture management basics; Implement basic, uncomplicated food processing, including large and small animal butchering and cheese making; and Integrate grass, gardens, and livestock to minimize or eliminate the need for off-farm inputs. As the Doughertys write, more and more people today are feeling “the desire for clean, affordable food, unmodified, unprocessed, and unmedicated and the security of local food sourcing for ourselves and our children.” The Independent Farmstead is a must-have resource for those who count themselves as part of this movement: both new and prospective farmers and homesteaders, and those who are interested in switching to grass-based systems. Best of all it’s the kind of rare how-to book that the authors themselves view not as a compendium of one-size-fits-all instructions but as “the beginning of a conversation,” one that is utterly informative, sincere, and inspiring.Trade ReviewChoice- “Literature about small, independent farms might be divided into books that focus broadly on sustainable farming and those that constitute a how-to guide. Here Shawn Dougherty and Beth Dougherty (both have been farmers for several decades) offer a whimsical fusion of practical application and agrarian philosophy to great effect. Unlike most monographs on the subject, this volume begins with the assertion that plant life, pasture, and forage (in particular) form the core of an effective small farmstead. From this foundation, the Dougherty’s discuss practical aspects of forage, including water, grasses, and fencing, as well as the dynamics of intensive rotational processes. A good portion of the book is devoted to leveraging forage using livestock, particularly ruminants. Their clear favorite is the dairy cow, although they do discuss the virtues of sheep, goats, and swine—but little on beef. The latter part of the work discusses the harvesting of meat and milk and the appropriate use of by-products. The book’s entertaining approach is tempered by a realistic view of the mindset required to productively nurture and incorporate the rigors of an independent farmstead into one’s lifestyle. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.” Booklist- "As mortifying and implausible as creating one’s own self-sustaining farmstead might sound to most city folk, the Doughertys, who embarked on their own farmstead 20 years ago, make the venture entirely feasible—even ennobling in the face of climate change—on as little as a half-acre of land. In a conversational style that is both welcoming and reality-based, the authors offer a big-picture plan—selecting property, sourcing water, building soil, choosing ruminants (chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, or cattle)—that is fully supported by a level of detail both practical and comforting to anyone new to the idea. Some examples: milking techniques for cows and goats, what grasses or fencing to consider for which animals, slaughtering techniques, watering tanks, and using paddocks for livestock. Highly recommended for libraries where such farmsteads are even remotely possible.”Library Journal, Starred Review- "Husband and wife Shawn and Beth ­Dougherty have written about the 'self-sustaining' grass-based farming movement on their blog, ­onecowrevolution.wordpress.com. Their first book, a well-organized overview of managing a diversified ‘farmstead,' takes the concept of backyard hobby farming to the next level. Drawing on their 20 years of experience on the Sow’s Ear Farm in eastern Ohio, the Doughertys offer practical know-how on a variety of farming topics, with photos and philosophical considerations of their methods. Although not exhaustive on any given issue, there is enough information for most readers to get started with confidence. They encourage readers to adopt holistic and creative problem-solving techniques. Oft-ignored subjects such as seasonal rhythms and interpersonal dynamics—the 'people aspect' of the farm ecosystem—are addressed. Easily navigable sections let readers skim as needed, but the conversational style lends a cohesive narrative. With a compelling foreword by holistic farmer Joel Salatin, this is right at home on a workbench or bedside table. VERDICT A solid choice for those embarking on a serious animal-based hobby or enterprise, aspiring homesteaders, and sustainable farmers who already have basic knowledge of animal husbandry and agriculture. The authors’ blog provides a nice supplement; for more introductory guides, try Carleen Madigan’s 'Backyard Homestead' books.”Modern Farmer- "Shawn and Beth Dougherty divulge how they used intensive pasture management to transform 24 seemingly uncultivable Ohio acres into a thriving livestock and vegetable operation capable of feeding their family of 10. Expect clear-eyed advice on rotational grazing methods, improving soil fertility, and much more." “With grace and grit, Shawn and Beth show you how to cultivate and care for an often overlooked but integrally important part of our food chain—grass—as well as the diverse livestock that transform pasture into the most wholesome foods on earth.”--David Asher, author of The Art of Natural Cheesemaking“Shawn and Beth cover a broad range of topics in this readable and user-friendly book. They manage to touch on most of the essential information a small-scale farmer needs to graze a cow and make cheese, feed the waste milk to the pigs and make bacon, and practice sustainable land use and animal husbandry along the way.”--Sarah Flack, author of The Art and Science of Grazing “Playing off its title, this informative, companionable book could be called The Interdependent Farmstead: It notes how a successful operation relies on interactions among animals, soil, grass, sunlight, and community as well as human ingenuity and, invariably, humor. The book’s wisdom is that building on these synergies helps one realize the potential of any given piece of land.”--Judith D. Schwartz, author of Cows Save the Planet and Water In Plain Sight“In The Independent Farmstead, Shawn and Beth Dougherty have rooted a wealth of practical and useful farming information in the fertile soil of social and economic reality and timeless ecological wisdom. Their farm is a grass-based homestead, and their personal story is compelling, but their insights are important for beginning or experienced farmers of any type or scale who don’t yet know—or have forgotten—what real farming is about.”--John Ikerd, professor emeritus of agricultural economics, University of Missouri

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Book SynopsisWe all need to understand the story behind our food. This is the strongest and most articulate case for understanding the central importance of grazing livestock in sustainable food systems that I’ve read. Patrick Holden, founder and chief executive, Sustainable Food Trust With more public awareness of the connection between health and diet, food, climate and farming, Defending Beef – a modern classic on sustainable food culture – has never been more timely. As the meat industry – from small-scale ranchers and butchers to sprawling slaughterhouse operators – respond to climate threats, a pandemic and the rise of plant-based and lab-produced meats, environmental lawyer turned cattle farmer Nicolette Hahn Niman delivers a passionate argument for responsible grassfed, meat production and consumption in this updated and expanded new edition of her bestselling Defending Beef. Hahn Niman dispels popular myths about how eating beef is bad for our bodies and the planet. The impact of grazing can be either negative or positive, depending on how livestock are managed. In fact, with proper oversight, livestock can play an essential role in maintaining grassland ecosystems by performing the same functions as the natural herbivores that once roamed and grazed there.Grounded in empirical scientific data and citing examples of regenerative agriculture from around the world, she illustrates how cattle can help build carbon-sequestering soils to mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, prevent desertification and provide essential nutrition.Trade Review“Defending Beef is a no-nonsense, scientific yet holistic look at the important role well-raised meat has in our food system and in ecosystem function. Nicolette Hahn Niman intelligently busts the common misperceptions about cattle and explains how, when managed properly, they can have a positive impact on the environment.”—Diana Rodgers, registered dietitian, filmmaker and coauthor of Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat“With all the rhetoric we are hearing today about how cows are destroying the planet, it is enlightening to hear the truth. Nicolette Hahn Niman delves deep into the science and sets the record straight: ‘It’s not the cow, it’s the how’! Now, consumers can enjoy the health benefits of nutrient-dense beef while healing our ecosystems! A must-read for consumers, ranchers, and policymakers.”—Gabe Brown, regenerative rancher and author of Dirt to Soil“The original edition of Defending Beef offered a compendium of everything a person should know about the role of beef cattle on the landscape and in our diets. This brand-new edition is more like a meta-analysis, chock-full of references, that dismantles almost every argument made against the ecological and nutritional importance of beef. While Nicolette Hahn Niman decries the industrial beef model, she makes a clear and compelling case why well-managed cattle grazing is a critical tool for capturing carbon and turning nonedible plant material into protein, as well as for supporting regenerative farming methods. This book should be on the shelf of anyone who cares about our climate and food system.”—Rebecca Thistlethwaite, coauthor of The New Livestock Farmer“In this exhaustive and well-documented treatise, Nicolette Hahn Niman manages to be both informative and engaging from cover to cover. I especially appreciate the long myth-busting section that debunks many oft-cited anti-beef studies. This is the perfect book to have at your fingertips when you’re in a dispute with someone who thinks meatless lab burgers are a great way to go.”—Ridge Shinn, founding CEO, Big Picture Beef“In this remarkable book, Nicolette Hahn Niman proves herself to be a true environmentalist—one who is willing to dig deeply, challenge orthodoxies, and get to the truth. You should read Defending Beef not only for the compelling case she makes for sustainable meat production, but also as an example of critical thinking at its finest.”—Bo Burlingham, editor-at-large of Inc. magazine and author of Small Giants and Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top“I have traveled to every state in the U.S. during both summer and winter and have seen the land in extensive rural areas. There are huge land areas in this country that cannot be used for crops. The only way to grow food on these lands is by grazing animals. Grazing done properly will improve the land. Defending Beef shows clearly that beef cattle are an important part of sustainable agriculture.”—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human and professor of animal science, Colorado State University“Anyone hesitating to eat beef due to environmental or nutritional concerns needs to learn the other side of the story. Defending Beef is both scientifically accurate and highly readable. Kudos to Nicolette Hahn Niman for successfully engaging in one of the biggest environmental tensions of our day.”—Joel Salatin, farmer and author“Creating healthful, delicious food in ecological balance is among humanity’s greatest challenges. In this insightful book, Nicolette Hahn Niman shows why cattle on grass are an essential element. Every chef in America should read this book.”—Alice Waters, founder/owner, Chez Panisse, and author of We Are What We Eat“Anyone who doubts that beef can be part of a sustainable food system and healthy diet should read this book. Defending Beef proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can feel good about eating beef that’s raised the right way.”—Steve Ells, founder and CEO, Chipotle Mexican Grill“Nicolette Hahn Niman just became beef’s most articulate advocate. In Defending Beef, she pivots gracefully between the personal and the scientific, the impassioned and the evenhanded. It’s a deeply compelling and delicious vision for the future of food.”—Dan Barber, author of The Third Plate“Defending Beef is a brave, clear-headed, and necessary addition to the discussion about sustainable food systems. Using hard data and solid scientific research, Nicolette Hahn Niman, a lawyer turned rancher, presents a convincing case that everything we thought we knew about the environmental and human health damage caused by beef is just plain wrong.”—Barry Estabrook, author of Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit“The prosecution will never rest after the case presented here by this unusually well-armed defense lawyer. Exactly how much and in what ways cattle benefit our world—whether or not we eat beef—have never been more thoroughly explained. Cattle are lucky to have such a remarkable rancher gal come to their aid on our behalf.”—Betty Fussell, author of Raising Steaks: The Life and Times of American Beef“Nicolette Hahn Niman’s Defending Beef is as timely as it is necessary. With patience and passion she separates truth from fiction in the emotional debate about the role of beef in our lives and the effect of its production on our planet. Far from being a bogeyman of climate change and other environmental concerns, she argues, cattle, when properly managed, can play an important role in local food systems, land health, and carbon sequestration. The key is treating cattle as an ally, not an enemy, and exploring opportunities instead of simply pointing fingers. In this exploration, Defending Beef leads the way!”—Courtney White, founder, Quivira Coalition, and author of Grass, Soil, Hope“In our collective confusion and desperation about the environment, many zero in on cattle as an unlikely culprit for everything from water pollution to climate change. In Defending Beef, author, rancher, and environmental lawyer Nicolette Hahn Niman takes a nuanced look at the impact of livestock on land, water, the atmosphere, and human health. With clarity and eloquence, she puts research in context and shows that the raising of cattle can be destructive or restorative, depending on how the animals are managed. Cattle—and common sense—have found their champion.”—Judith D. Schwartz, author of Cows Save the Planet“Issues related to the long-term health effects of red meat, saturated fat, sugar, and grains are complex and I see the jury as still out on many of them. While waiting for the science to be resolved, Hahn Niman’s book is well worth reading for its forceful defense of the role of ruminant animals in sustainable food systems.”—Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University and author of What to Eat“I hope this book, which is more about the future of humanity, will be read by every citizen—not just those who feel the need to defend their meat-eating preferences. Biologist, environmental lawyer, and mother Nicolette Hahn Niman has provided a balanced report on the effects of cattle production on our environment, health, and climate change. Openly accepting the damage done by modern-day cattle production—on the land and in factory feedlots—she effectively argues that cattle themselves are not the problem; it is the way they are being managed that is endangering our health, environment, and economy. We can do something about that, and we must for the sake of our children and grandchildren. Key to our success will be an informed citizenry—for whom this book will be an invaluable tool.”—Allan Savory, founder and president, the Savory Institute“Defending Beef is an important book. Nicolette Hahn Niman had me at the chapter ‘All Food Is Grass,’ where she unpacks the complex clash of views over animal rights, ecology, and the legacy of human impact upon bioregions. The more I read, the more I came to value the passion and insight of someone who (like me) does not herself consume meat but recognizes that it rests at the center of what’s troubling with our food system and how we might set it right. "At Slow Food, we believe that better, less meat should become a rallying cry for a shift in our relationship to animals and each other. Scale, biodiversity, and rural economies get ample attention in this comprehensive yet easy-to-digest manifesto. If we ever hope to challenge the prevailing culture of confinement that defines the industrial meat system today, then we need to make this book required reading for butchers, bakers, and policymakers.”—Richard McCarthy, executive director emeritus, Slow Food USA “Defending Beef clearly and unequivocally connects the dots for us on how vitally important raising pastured beef is to humanity. From increasing the glomalin in soil that helps create healthy grass, to sequestering carbon, battling desertification, enhancing the water supply, mitigating climate change, and promoting biodiversity, Nicolette Hahn Niman carefully draws a constellation for understanding just how our food production systems affect people, culture, and our ecosystem—for good or ill. The case is airtight and the jury is in: Cattle on pasture are an integral part of the solution.”—Mary R. Cleaver, former owner/executive chef, The Cleaver Company and The Green Table“A breakthrough book that reclaims our relationship with farm animals and nutritious food. Comprehensive and insightful, Defending Beef delivers a compelling description of a food system that works with nature and wildlife, supports humane animal husbandry, and builds strong local economies. With a keen mind and passionate love of life, Nicolette Hahn Niman provides an insightful solution to feeding our growing world population and shows us a way of life that is both beautiful and sustaining.”—Judy Wicks, founder of White Dog Café and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies and author of Good Morning, Beautiful Business“It is so important that we free our minds of conventional beef wisdom and open up to the solution set that uses nature’s wisdom as well as the smart agricultural practices of the future. In Defending Beef, Nicolette Hahn Niman gives us an exacting and compelling defense of land management that solves for environmental resiliency, human health, climate change mitigation, and prosperity. How could we not listen?”—Kat Taylor, CEO and cofounder, Beneficial State Bank; cofounder and director, Tomkat Ranch Educational Foundation“As a chef, I am concerned with not just the flavor of my ingredients, but also their ecological, economic, social, biodiversity, and health implications. In Defending Beef, Nicolette Hahn Niman delves deeply into the many impacts of beef production. Through both scholarly research and her own personal journey, she shows how, again and again, the ‘conventional wisdom’ has missed the mark, while making an extremely convincing case for well-raised cattle having a necessary place in our global agriculture system and on our plates. Simply put, this book doesn’t just make me a better chef, but also a better person."—Michael Leviton, food activist and former chair, Chefs Collaborative“Nicolette Hahn Niman, a lawyer, long-time vegetarian, and cattle rancher, serves up a well-argued defense of an American icon: the hamburger. Passionate and persuasive, Hahn Niman delivers a tough-minded critique of industrial animal operations along with an eloquent case on behalf of pasture-raised beef. The good news? It's safe to eat steak again—so long as you know where it comes from.”—Marc Gunther, editor-at-large, Guardian Sustainable Business US

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Book SynopsisShepherd Tony Iley believes it's one of the wonders of the world to see a good Collie working in harmony with his master. In his book he covers the history of the working dog, training from puppy onwards, trials, breeding and the experiences of handlers past and present. He tells his wonderful story of the relationship between one man and his dog.

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive book covers all aspects of sheep health and disease, and sheep husbandry throughout the annual breeding cycle. Through extensive and detailed photographs it highlights the disease and welfare issues that can arise within the great variety of breeds and flock types. Written by two veterinary surgeons closely involved in sheep health, this book takes a veterinary view of husbandry and emphasizes the importance of keeping diseases out of a flock. From practical tasks such as how to check teeth, feet and udders, through to vaccination schedules, injection techniques and parasite control, it covers the whole life cycle of your flock.

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Book SynopsisFriendly, dependable, intelligent, and easy to care for, donkeys are increasingly prized by small-scale farmers, horse lovers, and animal enthusiasts. Donkeys not only pull carts, carry riders, and tote gear for hikers, but they also make terrific stable companions and livestock guardians, and they are renowned for their skills in transport, raising water, milling, and farm tillage. They're also gentle with children and the elderly, making them a popular therapy animal and family pet. A donkey is not simply a long-eared horse, however; understanding the donkey's distinctive traits is critical to the animal's well-being and usefulness."The Donkey Companion", by Sue Weaver, offers a comprehensive overview of this hardy creature - the most complete, up-to-date reference of its kind. Here is everything donkey enthusiasts need to know about the animal's history, physiology, behaviour, breed characteristics, daily care, and health needs. Readers will come to understand this versatile animal, and through understanding will become skilled, satisfied owners." The Donkey Companion" offers detailed information about different breeds and types; provides tips for finding and selecting the right animal; explains donkeys' daily care and health requirements; and guides readers through the nuances of training, riding, driving, and breeding. The book is enhanced with fun facts, training tips, quotes, photographs, illustrations, and additional resources. From foaling to first aid, and from grooming to professional showing, this extensive guide offers everything a donkey owner needs to get the most out of this gentle, hardworking animal.

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Book SynopsisGrazing management might seem simple: just put livestock in a pasture and let them eat their fill. However, as Sarah Flack explains in The Art and Science of Grazing, the pasture/livestock relationship is incredibly complex. If a farmer doesn’t pay close attention to how the animals are grazing, the resulting poorly managed grazing system can be harmful to the health of the livestock, pasture plants, and soils. Well-managed pastures can instead create healthier animals, a diverse and resilient pasture ecosystem, and other benefits. Flack delves deeply below the surface of “let the cows eat grass,” demonstrating that grazing management is a sophisticated science that requires mastery of plant and animal physiology, animal behavior, and ecology. She also shows readers that applying grazing management science on a working farm is an art form that calls on grass farmers to be careful observers, excellent planners and record-keepers, skillful interpreters of their observations, and creative troubleshooters. The Art and Science of Grazing will allow farmers to gain a solid understanding of the key principles of grazing management so they can both design and manage successful grazing systems. The book’s unique approach presents information first from the perspective of pasture plants, and then from the livestock perspective—helping farmers understand both plant and animal needs before setting up a grazing system. This book is an essential guide for ruminant farmers who want to be able to create grazing systems that meet the needs of their livestock, pasture plants, soils, and the larger ecosystem. The book discusses all the practical details that are critical for sustained success: how to set up a new system or improve existing systems; acreage calculations; paddock layout; fence and drinking water access; lanes and other grazing infrastructure; managing livestock movement and flow; soil fertility; seeding and reseeding pastures; and more. The author includes descriptions of real grazing systems working well on dairy, beef, goat, and sheep farms in different regions of North America. The book covers pasture requirements specific to organic farming, but will be of use to both organic and non-organic farms.Trade ReviewCHOICE- "This is a great book. After reading this work, the reviewer felt as if he could almost start his own grazing system; the title provides readers with the right questions to ask. Flack (a consultant on grazing and organic livestock) is a concise and articulate author and educator. She knows the value of telling a simple story and supporting it with relevant illustrations. She has an elegant style and knows how to use the power of repetition to show how no part of grazing management is wholly independent. She has biases with respect to the best grazing management, but is evenhanded in presenting multiple alternatives to grazing issues. Her case studies are aptly chosen to illustrate how the grazing management she advocates can be both sustainable and profitable. Each chapter plays a role and successively builds on the knowledge previously gained. As a manual for introducing good land stewardship, this book admirably succeeds. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.”“I have long been fascinated by the logic of André Voisin’s system of Rational Grazing. Sarah Flack’s book has persuaded me that this could be a practical option for my own micro-dairy holding.”--Simon Fairlie, author of Meat“It gives me pleasure to recommend Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing. Sarah offers sound practical information for management of pastures in humid environments. Her years of experience and study allow her to explain the limitations of rotational grazing that were first highlighted by Andre Voisin and to confirm the soundness of Voisin’s Rational Grazing.”--Allan Savory, president, Savory Institute“With feet firmly planted in both practice and science, Sarah Flack introduces pasture-based livestock production in a way that is sure to encourage and empower.”--Joel Salatin, author of Salad Bar Beef“The Art and Science of Grazing is a beautiful and highly useful book. Read it, learn how to manage pasture well, then do it! Sarah Flack’s good counsel can save your farm and family and bring you happiness. What else is there?”--Bill Murphy, author of Greener Pastures on Your Side of the Fence“Amidst the flood of information on modern grass farming, Sarah Flack performs nothing short of a rescue operation, distilling the art and science of grazing into an immensely useful book. Experienced hands will learn plenty, but newcomers won’t be overwhelmed. The Art and Science of Grazing is sure to become one of the most well-worn books on graziers’ bookshelves.”--Fred Walters, publisher, Acres U.S.A.“Sarah Flack has written a wonderful guide to sustainable grazing. She discusses fundamental principles and specific practices that make her book meaningful for anyone interested in the art and science of grazing.”--Fred Provenza, professor emeritus, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University “More and more farmers and ranchers are thirsting for information on animal husbandry that truly protects and regenerates natural resources while enhancing economic viability. Sarah Flack is answering the call. In a readable, user-friendly format, her book provides concrete information and plenty of inspiration. An invaluable resource for anyone raising grazing animals.”--Nicolette Niman, author of Defending Beef“Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing is an excellent guide for anyone with an interest in the regenerative potential of livestock grazing done right. Whether you are a farmer, rancher, conscientious consumer of meat, or concerned citizen of the planet, Flack’s clear, concise prose explains how good grazing is a natural fit in our world.”--Courtney White, author of Two Percent Solutions for the Planet“Intelligently managed grazing has tremendous potential to mitigate climate turmoil, and The Art and Science of Grazing contains everything you need to know to do the very best job of grazing. Sarah Flack explores every aspect of holistic pasture management in a most delightful manner that will help all who consult her book, from beginners to the most experienced graziers, to achieve their maximum potential in healing the Earth with livestock and land.”--Jack Lazor, author of The Organic Grain Grower“The Art and Science of Grazing is a comprehensive guide for new and experienced graziers. If I had to choose one book as a reference on grazing for both new and experienced livestock graziers, this would be it. The book is well organized, containing many excellent illustrations and beautiful photographs. Sarah Flack shares her knowledge on all aspects of grazing with emphasis on key principles that apply to all farms in humid regions. Multiple case studies provide interest and wisdom gained by farmers who have developed diverse, successful grazing operations throughout the country.”--Guy Jodarski, DVM, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley

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Book SynopsisThis is the first volume in a series of course books for career students and exam candidates preparing for the Stage 1 exam of the British Horse Society.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I want to emphasize that this book is not just for Galápagos giant tortoise enthusiasts. It also highlights the many lessons that have been learned from restoration of Galápagos ecosystems. I teach an undergraduate course on conservation biology and always include a discussion of “ecological substitutes” as a means or restoring lost ecological functions. The comprehensive list of tortoise rewilding efforts around the globe (Chapter 2) will definitely be incorporated into my discussion of this topic the next time I give the course. My course similarly includes a unit on eradication of invasive species, and the eradications successfully completed in the Galápagos (Chapter 19) are certainly a guide for future eradication attempts around the globe. I was particularly interested in the rat eradication carried out on Pinzón Island (Chapter 22) and the immediate benefits detected for not only Galápagos giant tortoises, but also land snails, lava lizards, Galápagos snakes, cactus finches, and Galápagos rails. This leads to my final point about the book’s inspiring accounts of individual tortoises. Although we are all aware of the incredible longevity of giant tortoises, the stories in this volume brought it home to me in a way I had not experienced before. I was particularly moved by the story of Diego (Chapter 21), the Española giant tortoise who was collected from his home island in 1934, spent 43 years at the San Diego Zoo, was then transferred to the Tortoise Breeding Center to participate in the captive breeding program for another 43 years, before being returned to his home island in 2020. It is incredible to think of any living organism having witnessed so much change, but the authors of this volume calculate that 2% of Galápagos giant tortoises alive today would have been present when Darwin visited the islands in 1834. It is only due to their extreme longevity that the tortoises were able to persist through centuries of human exploitation and invasive species (e.g., there was no natural tortoise recruitment on Pinzón for over a century). I commend the authors for composing engaging chapters across the board and the editors for forming them into a cohesive volume." --The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsSection I: Overview 1. The Galapagos: Island Home of Giant Tortoises 2. Galapagos tortoises: Protagonists in the spectacle of life on Earth Section II: History of Human - Tortoise Interactions 3. Human perceptions of Galapagos tortoises through history 4. The era of exploitation: 1700-1959 5. Darwin and the Galapagos giant tortoises 6. The Collectors: Beginnings of scientific inquiry and the lasting impacts of living and museum collections Section III: Natural History 7. Evolution and phylogenetics 8. Morphology 9. Reproduction 10. Thermoregulation 11. Behavior and Diet 12. Population biology 13. Movement ecology 14. Habitats 15. Role in Ecosystems 16. Galapagos Tortoises in a Changing Climate Section IV: Conservation: Slow Rescue from Near Destruction 17. History of Galapagos tortoise conservation 18. Tortoise health 19. Invasive Species: Impacts, Control, and Eradication 20. Tortoise Populations after 60 Years of Conservation Section V: Restoration Case Studies 21. Española Island: From Near Extinction to Recovery 22. Pinzón Island: A Century of Zero Tortoise Hatchlings to a Growing Population 23. Floreana and Pinta Islands: Restoring Tortoise Populations through Lost Lineage Recovery 24. Santa Fe Island: Return of tortoises via a replacement species Section VI: Into the Future 25. Beyond rescue to full recovery

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Book SynopsisDisease is an inevitable everyday risk for all those who keep cattle and very often it has a huge impact on the animal's welfare, as well as its productivity. This clearly written and easy-to-understand book covers the principal diseases and conditions that occur in cattle and is essential reading for all those who own, or care for, cattle. Enables the reader to clearly identify all the common cattle diseases Presents a practical, step-by-step description of how to examine an animal Examines all the body systems and the important diseases associated with each one Details the underlying processes involved in many common diseases in order to facilitate a logical approach to their treatment and prevention Helps the stockperson to decide whether they can treat a sick animal themselves or need to seek professional advice

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Book SynopsisThis book is an essential, thorough, very practical guide to understanding and caring for your rabbit. By following the advice in this book, both rabbit owners and veterinary health professionals report healthier and more content rabbits. Developed from the successful Norwegian text Den Store Kaninboka by the award-winning author Marit Emilie Buseth, Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care will help you: - develop an understanding of the rabbit's nature, which will help you to spot normal and abnormal behaviour; - learn about the correct living conditions in which to keep domestic rabbits, in terms of their behavioural, physical and social needs; - acquire essential knowledge about rabbit nutrition, dentistry and disease; - discover a new and improved approach to rabbit-keeping through stories and case examples of real rabbits; - gain a rewarding owner-pet relationship. Rabbits are extremely popular pets, but misconceptions about their care and behaviour are widespread. Most illnesses or behaviour problems are a direct or indirect result of poor nutrition and care. This book helps veterinarians and rabbit owners to overcome these challenges by understanding the rabbit's nature and needs.Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Origins and Development of Rabbits 3: Rabbits as Companion Animals 4: Behaviour, Learning and Communication 5: The Social Rabbit 6: From Nose to Tail 7: Rabbit Nutrition 8: Neutering 9: Cleanliness and Hygiene 10: Rabbit Housing and Conditions 11: House Rabbits and Rabbit Proofing of the Home 12: Life Outdoors 13: World Wide Rabbits 14: Rabbit Reproduction and Breeding Control

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for fans of All Creatures Great and Small, this is a charming collection of classic stories from James Herriot’s much-loved books with insights into his life and work from his children Rosie and Jim.With astute observations and boundless humour, country vet Herriot captures the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales and of rural communities on the cusp of change, before tractors and machines had taken over and modern medicines and antibiotics transformed veterinary work.Along the way a beloved cast of characters emerges, from the squabbling brothers Tristan and Siegfried to Herriot’s hapless courtship and eventual family life with Helen Anderson. But it’s the animals which are at the heart of Herriot’s stories. Whether he’s dodging a raging bull on a risky artificial insemination assignment, becoming pen pals with Tricki Woo the spoilt Pikingese or the inevitable trials and tribulations of lambing season, there&rsquTrade ReviewIt cleverly interweaves extracts from his novels, with an interesting commentary from his son and daughter . . . their memories and anecdotes augment the stories and make delightful reading * The Yorkshire Times *

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Book SynopsisPublished in association with the RSPCA, the UK's leading animal welfare charity, this practical family guide is full of expert advice on how to choose a hamster and how best to look after it.If you already own or are planning to buy a hamster this easy-to-use introductory guide is a must. Clearly illustrated with colour photographs throughout, it covers all aspects of daily care including housing, feeding, handling, hygiene, exercise and first aid.Published in association with the experts at the RSPCA, this book will help you ensure that you are giving your hamster the best possible care.

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Book SynopsisZoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare addresses the key questions surrounding the keeping of zoo animals, and reveals how we can apply our ever-growing understanding of animal behaviour to ensure zoo animals are managed as effectively as possible, without their health and welfare being compromised.Trade ReviewIt is written in a lively and accessible style, and covers every aspect of zoo animal management, from basic biology to legislation and record keeping. It is highly readable and scientifically well grounded. * Jenny Morton, The Biologist *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. History and philosophy of zoos ; 3. Regulatory framework ; 4. Behaviour ; 5. Animal identification and record keeping ; 6. Housing and husbandry ; 7. Animal welfare ; 8. Environmental enrichment ; 9. Small population management ; 10. Conservation ; 11. Health ; 12. Feeding and nutrition ; 13. People in zoos ; 14. Research ; 15. We hope you enjoyed your visit

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Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON BBC TWO''S HIT TV-SHOW ''THIS FARMING LIFE''''A heartwarming tale of life on the land'' Alan Titchmarsh''There''s love and loss, challenge and adversity, but above all it''s warm, insightful and inspiring'' Helen Skelton''Will inspire any reader to look at the countryside - and all those who work there - with newfound appreciation'' Jimmy Doherty ''Uplifting, charming and beautifully written'' Adam HensonEmma Gray was just twenty-three when she moved to an isolated farm in Northumberland, becoming Britain''s youngest solo shepherdess. In the seasons that followed, Emma fell in love with its rolling fields, surrounding forest and sturdy farmhouse, tending her sheep and training her dogs - and even found romance.But when Emma finds herself suddenly alone again, heartbroken and recovering from a serious accident, she wonders if her isolated existence is still such a sensible idea. Even if she

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Book SynopsisCharismatic David Kennard lives a life most people can only dream about. Farming on a spectacularly beautiful part of the Devon coast he has an almost telepathic bond with nature and with his working sheepdogs. His is a life filled with daily challenges, from the battles with wild Atlantic weather to the dramas of clifftop rescue, but it is also a life full of the richness of rebirth, and the Herriotesque delight in a way of life that has remained almost untouched by the modern world.Part diary, part homage to the countryside and the canine family that is so much a part of his life, David Kennard''s extraordinary book is designed to touch the hearts and minds of city and country dwellers alike.Trade ReviewThis is a fine portrait of his life in all its brutal beauty * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisExotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry is a practical reference for assessing, handling, and treating small exotic animals in the veterinary clinic. Covering common species such as mice, hamsters, rabbits, and ferrets, the book focuses on nursing care, giving veterinary staff the information they need to work with these less-common patients. With information on basic anatomy, preventative care, and common diseases, Exotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of caring for small exotic mammals and communicating with owners.Trade Review"Short of acquiring clinical books featuring only a single species, this book is thorough enough that it would be a valuable addition to the library of any veterinary professional interested in exotic small mammals." (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America , 2011) "Overall, this book is a great source of information for veterinary technicians and assistants who frequently work with small mammals. The text is very easy to use, and could also be used to provide information to clients who need help with husbandry. It is small, concise, and to the point without a bunch of statistics or unnecessary text to muddle through. This text would be a great addition to any general or exotic practice, or for the veterinary technician's library. Veterinarians and other staff members may also benefit from having this book on their shelf of easy-to-reach reference material." (VSPN, June 2010) "There is certainly something for anyone with an interest in exotics to be found within these pages, and it will be most useful for veterinary nurses and pet owners. It should be judged as an excellent starter guide for exotic veterinarians, with good coverage of basic procedures and disease processes, thus meriting its place on most veterinary practice bookshelves." (Veterinary Record, November 2010) This is a useful book for those in the veterinary field. It provides a great deal of information for various species in a well-organized manner." (Doody's, October 2010) "Exotic Small Mammal Care and Husbandry is a fine basic reference for handling and treating small animals in the vet clinic. It covers everything from mice and hamsters to ferrets and focuses on housing, nutrition and diseases. Basic anatomy and preventative care are included in a fine easy approach many a pet owner will also appreciate." (The Midwest Book Review, June 2010)Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii 1 Introduction 3 2 Enrichment 11 3 Preventive Medicine 21 4 Rabbits 49 5 Ferrets 61 6 Mice 73 7 Rats 81 8 Gerbils 93 9 Hamsters 103 10 Guinea pigs 115 11 Chinchillas 125 12 Degus 137 13 Hedgehogs 143 14 Sugar Gliders 157 15 Opossums 169 Index 175 Color plate appears between pages 80 and 81

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Book SynopsisJames Herriot (19161995) was the pen name of James Alfred 'Alf' Wight, an English vet whose tales of veterinary practice and country life in the Yorkshire Dales have delighted generations. Many of Herriot's works - including All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing - became international bestsellers and have been adapted for film and television.Trade ReviewHerriot's enchanting tales of life in the Dales are deservedly classics. Full of extraordinary characters, animal and human, the books never fail to delight. -- Amanda OwenBulls with sunstroke, pigs on the run and a cake-eating Peke with a betting habit . . . I grew up reading James Herriot's book and I'm delighted that thirty years on they are still every bit as charming, heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny as they were then. -- Kate HumbleThe attraction of Herriot's ever popular memoirs of a country vet . . . is their alternating highs and lows, humour and pathos, and gripping anecdotes about delivering lambs, grumpy farmers, hypochondriac pet-owners, stroppy cows and blunt Yorkshire characters. And, of course, there's a powerful nostalgia element in these stories about our green and pleasant land in the day before the ravages of ribbon development. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and thoroughly revised text on dairy science that contains information on the most recent developments The fully updated third edition of Understanding the Dairy Cow explores the scientific principles that provide a foundation for understanding the animal's body system. The comprehensive text also reveals how to properly manage dairy cattle with economic efficiency whilst taking into consideration the cow's welfare. The revised new edition contains expanded coverage on topics including insight into cow behaviour and welfare, genetic selection indices, new strategies for control of mastitis and lameness and information on the overworked cow. It also contains the most recent developments in breeding, nutrition and management. Is an authoritative text on the dairy cow that covers a wide-ranging subject area including the science, disease and husbandry Presents the information and knowledge necessary for the efficient andTable of ContentsAcknowledgements xiii Preface to the Third Edition xiv About the Companion Website xvi Part I How the Cow Works 1 1 Introduction – The Dairy Cow of Today 3 Milk as Food 6 Nutrient Supply 7 Healthy Digestion 8 Taste and Appetite 9 Do no Harm 9 Biological Efficiency of Milk Production 10 Milk Production: Species and Breed Comparisons 11 Efficiency of Feed Conversion to Milk, Eggs and Meat: Competitive and Complementary Feeds 12 Behaviour and Welfare 14 2 Digestion and Metabolism 18 Structure of the Digestive Tract 18 Eating and Rumination 22 Grazing 22 Salivation 23 Rumen Movements 23 Rumination 25 Digestion 26 Fermentation of Carbohydrates in the Rumen 28 Utilization of Metabolizable Energy for Maintenance and Production 31 Digestion of Crude Protein 32 Microbial Protein Synthesis 35 Truly Absorbed Amino Nitrogen 37 Urea Recycling 38 Digestion of Lipids 38 Absorption and Secretion of Minerals 39 Calcium Exchange 41 Appetite and Food Intake 42 3 Reproduction and Lactation 45 Anatomy of the Female Reproductive Tract 45 Follicle Development and Ovulation 45 The Oestrus Cycle 49 Puberty 49 Fertilisation 50 Pregnancy 51 Placental Transfer and Foetal Nutrition 53 Parturition 53 Dystocia 55 Lactation 56 Anatomy of the Udder 56 Milk Yield 58 Extended Lactations 59 Hormonal Control of Lactation 60 Reproduction in the Male 61 4 Environment, Behaviour and Welfare 64 Environmental Needs 64 Behaviour 65 Physical Comfort 66 Thermal Comfort 68 Sensible Heat Loss 68 Evaporative Heat Loss 69 Metabolic Heat Production 71 Climate, Production and Welfare 73 Tropical Climates 73 Cold Climates 74 Security and Social Behaviour 74 Sexual and Maternal Behaviour 75 Behaviour as an Indicator of Welfare 76 Part II Feeding the Dairy Cow 77 5 Nutrition: Supply and Demand 79 Nutrient Requirements and Responses 81 Nutrient Allowances for the Lactating Cow 84 Mineral Requirements 88 Nutritive Value of Feeds 90 Ration Formulation 93 Prediction of Food Intake 93 Assessment of an Existing Ration 94 Feeding Plans for Dairy Cows 95 Inputs 95 Outputs 96 Allowances for Growing Heifers 97 6 Feeds and Feeding Strategies 99 Pasture 100 Grazing Strategies 102 Legumes 104 Grass Silage 104 Dry Matter 105 Metabolisable Energy 106 Protein 106 Silage Additives 107 Hay 107 Straw 108 Ensiled Whole-crop Cereals 108 Other Green Feeds 109 Root Crops 109 Cereals 109 By-products 111 Oilseed Cakes and Meals 111 Miscellaneous By-products 113 Sugar Beet Pulp 113 Maize Gluten 113 Brewers’ and Distillers’ Grains 114 Wheat Bran 114 Balancing Forages and Concentrates 114 Feeding Strategies 117 Feeding to Yield 117 Total Mixed Rations and Flat Rate Feeding 119 7 Feeding Problems and Metabolic Diseases 121 Feeding Problems 123 Rumen Acidosis 123 Abomasal Disorders 125 Bloat 126 Metabolic Disorders 127 Ketosis 127 Prevention and Treatment 129 Parturient Hypocalcaemia (‘Milk Fever’) 130 Prevention and Treatment 131 The Downer Cow 132 Hypomagnesaemic Tetany (Grass Staggers) 133 Prevention and Treatment 135 Other Mineral Deficiencies 136 Phosphorus 136 Copper and Molybdenum 137 Cobalt 138 Selenium 138 Vitamin Deficiencies 139 Vitamin A 139 Vitamin D 140 Vitamin E 140 Last Words on Minerals and Vitamins 141 Part III Housing Health and Management 143 8 Healthy and Humane Housing and Handling 145 Accommodation 145 The Cow House 146 Cubicle Design 150 The Cubicle Bed 153 Passageways 154 Calving and Isolation Boxes 154 Heifer Yards 156 Handling Facilities 156 Lameness 157 Conditions that Cause Lameness 159 Sole Haemorrhage and Sole Ulcers 159 White Line Disease 161 Digital Dermatitis 161 Interdigital Necrobacillosis ‘Foul’ 162 Aseptic Laminitis, ‘Founder’ 162 Risk Factors for Lameness 162 Transport and Slaughter 164 Loading and Unloading 164 The Journey 165 A Gentle Death 166 9 Milking and Mastitis 168 The Milking Machine 171 The Milking Parlour 174 Hygiene in the Milking Parlour 174 Mastitis 175 Indicators of Mastitis 176 Contagious Mastitis 177 Environmental Mastitis 178 Summer Mastitis 180 Dry Cow Therapy 181 10 Miscellaneous Maladies 182 Signs of Disease 183 Sudden Death 183 Drooling 185 Abdominal Symptoms 186 Nervous Symptoms 187 Fever 187 Inappetence and Anorexia 188 Notifiable Diseases 189 Bovine Tuberculosis 191 Foot and Mouth Disease 192 Other Infectious Diseases 193 Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) 193 Johne’s Disease 194 Salmonellosis 194 Leptospirosis 195 Parasitic Diseases 195 Part IV Breeding and Fertility 197 11 Breeding 199 Selection Criteria 202 Genomic Selection 206 Sexed Semen 206 Cow Selection 207 Beef Bulls 209 12 Fertility 211 Fertility Management 212 Behaviour at Oestrus 212 Aids to Oestrus Detection 213 Synchronisation of Oestrus 216 Time of Insemination 217 Pregnancy Diagnosis 217 Rebreeding 219 Infertility 219 Ovarian Dysfunction 220 Uterine Disorders 221 Retained Placenta 221 Endometritis 222 Early Foetal Death 222 Abortion 223 Nutrition and Infertility 223 Condition Score at Calving? 225 Condition Score at the Time for Rebreeding? 225 Milk Yields in Early and Mid-lactation? 225 How Well Does Nutrient Supply Match Requirements? 226 Transition Management 226 Part V Cows, People and the Environment 229 13 Cows, People and the Living Environment 231 Most of Those who can Consume Too Much Meat and Milk 232 Food We Could Eat is Fed to Animals While the Poor Grow Hungry 233 Intensive Livestock Production is Incompatible with Animal Welfare 233 Livestock’s Long Shadow is Destroying the Planet 235 Methane Production and Climate Change 237 Pollution from Dairy Units 238 Alternative Husbandry Systems 240 Organic Dairy Farming 240 Traditional and Village Systems 241 Fair Play for Cows, People and the Planet 242 Herd Health and Welfare 242 Herd Health Management 243 Animal Welfare: Quality Assurance and Quality Control 243 Further Reading 247 Index 252

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Book SynopsisThe quiet revolution of mega-farming that is threatening our countryside, farms and food.This eye-opening book . . . deserves global recognition' Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallDevastating . . . demands reading and deserves the widest possible audience' Joanna LumleyHe is informed enough to be appalled, and moderate enough to persuade us to take responsibility for the system that feeds us' Guardian: Book of the WeekFarm animals have been disappearing from our fields as the production of food has become a global industry. We no longer know for certain what is entering the food chain and what we are eating. We are reaching a tipping point as the farming revolution threatens our countryside, health and the quality of our food wherever we live in the world.From the antibiotics routinely given to industrially farmed animals to the chemicals that are killing our insect populations, Farmageddon is a fascinating and terrifying investigative journey behiTrade ReviewLymbery brings to this essential subject the perspective of a seasoned campaigner – he is informed enough to be appalled, and moderate enough to persuade us to take responsibility for the system that feeds us * Guardian: Book of the Week *This meaty account makes a distinctive and important contribution, eschewing the narrowly domestic focus of many of its predecessors in favour of a global investigation ... An engaging read - and it also gives a full enough picture of the situation in the UK to preclude any smugness on the part of the British reader. Anyone after a realistic account of our global food chain, and the changes necessary for a sustainable future, will find much to get their teeth into here -- Felicity Cloake * New Statesman *There’s no end to techno-idiocy in pursuit of profit. But far more concerning is Lymbery’s contention that the wastefulness of feeding human-edible plants and fish to animals is not just absurd but catastrophic. The main reason for hacking down the remaining South American forest is to grow soy to feed the pigs and chickens of China * Evening Standard *Heartbreaking * Irish Times *This eye-opening book, urging a massive rethink of how we raise livestock and how we feed the world, deserves global recognition -- Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallA devastating indictment of cheap meat and factory farming. Don’t turn away: it demands reading and deserves the widest possible audience * Joanna Lumley *This incredibly important book should be read by anyone who cares about people, the planet, and particularly, animals -- Jilly CooperOffers the kind of realistic and compassionate solutions on which our prospects for a truly sustainable world depend -- Jonathon Porritt

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Book SynopsisA fascinating look at the intertwined story of milk and men on Merseyside.

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Book SynopsisFull of practical everyday advice, this guide explains how a natural, organic approach to livestock farming produces healthy animals, reduces costs, and increases your operation’s self-sufficiency. Livestock expert Carol Ekarius helps you create a viable farm plan, choose suitable livestock, care for your animals’ health, and confidently manage housing, fencing, and feeding. Case studies of successful farmers provide inspiration as you learn everything you need to know to run a prosperous livestock farm and make the lifestyle of your dreams a reality.

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Book SynopsisWhether you keep a single milk cow or care for a large herd, you’ll benefit from this comprehensive guide to calving. With expert advice gained from decades of hands-on experience, Heather Smith Thomas shows you how to effectively handle a variety of common situations likely to arrive before, during, and after calving. From spotting pregnancy issues and monitoring routine births to easing difficult deliveries and treating postpartum complications, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to safely handle a wide variety of calving procedures.

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Book SynopsisWith in-depth information on feeding, housing, behavior, and health care, this comprehensive guide also provides proven strategies for creating a profitable business plan and marketing your products. Whether you’re about to acquire your first ducks or are interested in experimenting with rare breeds, Storey’s Guide to Raising Ducks will help you achieve your duck-raising goals.

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Book SynopsisWhether you are a novice looking to get started with bees, an experienced apiculturist looking for ideas to develop an integrated pest-management approach, or someone who wants to sell honey at a premium price, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. Now revised and updated with new resources and including full-color photos throughout, Natural Beekeeping offers all the latest information in a book that has already proven invaluable for organic beekeepers. The new edition offers the same holistic, sensible alternative to conventional chemical practices with a program of natural hive management, but offers new sections on a wide range of subjects, including: The basics of bee biology and anatomy Urban beekeeping Identifying and working with queens Parasitic mite control Hive diseases Also, a completely new chapter on marketing provides valuable advice for anyone who intends to sell a wide range of hive products. Other chapters include: Hive Management Genetics and Breeding The Honey Harvest The Future of Organic Beekeeping Ross Conrad brings together the best “do no harm” strategies for keeping honeybees healthy and productive with nontoxic methods of controlling mites; eliminating American foulbrood disease without the use of antibiotics; selective breeding for naturally resistant bees; and many other detailed management techniques, which are covered in a thoughtful, matter-of-fact way.Trade Review“Natural Beekeeping is a wonderful book, beautifully written and illustrated, about how one can have healthy hives of bees without using synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, or artificial diets. Ross Conrad explains in fine detail that the key ingredients of organic beekeeping are disease-resistant stock, favorable apiary sites, and good colony management, plus a reverence and respect for the bees.”--Thomas D. Seeley, Cornell University, author of Honeybee Democracy and The Wisdom of the HiveLibrary Journal- "Originally published in 2007 as colony collapse disorder was making headlines across the world, this updated edition by veteran beekeeper Conrad (former president, Vermont Beekeepers Assn.) is a holistic reference guide to organic apiculture. While newer parasites like varroa mites are making chemical treatments a normal part of hive ownership, many people are still looking for ways to manage their hives organically in order to reduce the amount of chemicals that affect bees, other pollinators, and the environment in general. This new edition adds information about urban beekeeping, top-bar hives, and marketing for those interested in selling honey and other products from their beehives. A comprehensive glossary and resource list will assist novice and experienced apiarists searching for equipment, mite-resistant bee suppliers, and pesticide testing and reporting agencies. VERDICT Conrad’s personal experiences and easy tone and the wealth of information make this title perfect for beekeepers looking for more natural hive management options. Highly recommended for purchase wherever urban farming is taking root." Table of Contents1. Why organic beekeeping? 2. Working with the hive 3. Hive management 4. Genetics and breeding 5. Parasitic mites 6. Insect pests 7. Four-legged and feathered pests 8. Environmental and human threats 9. Hive diseases 10. The honey harvest 11. Marketing 12. Organics and the evolution of beekeeping

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Book SynopsisA system for regenerating land, storing carbon, and creating climate resilience The concept of silvopasture challenges our notions of both modern agriculture and land use. For centuries, European settlers of North America have engaged in practices that separate the field from the forest, and even the food from the animal. Silvopasture systems integrate trees, animals, and forages in a whole-system approach that offers a number of benefits to the farmer and the environment. Such a system not only offers the promise of ecological regeneration of the land, but also an economical livelihood and even the ability to farm extensively while buffering the effects of a changing climate: increased rainfall, longer droughts, and more intense storm events. Silvopasture, however, involves more than just allowing animals into the woodlot. It is intentional, steeped in careful observation skills and flexible to the dynamics of such a complex ecology. It requires a farmer who understands grassland ecology, forestry, and animal husbandry. The farmer needn’t be an expert in all of these disciplines, but familiar enough with them to make decisions on a wide variety of time scales. A silvopasture system will inevitably look different from year to year, and careful design coupled with creativity and visioning for the future are all part of the equation. In this book, farmer Steve Gabriel offers examples of diverse current systems that include: A black locust plantation for fence posts coupled with summer grazing pastures for cattle in central New York; Oxen and pigs used to clear forested land in New Hampshire to create space for new market gardens and orchards; Turkeys used for controlling pests and fertilization on a cider orchard and asparagus farm in New York; and Sheep that graze the understory of hybrid chestnut and hickory trees at a nut nursery in Minnesota. All of these examples share common goals, components, and philosophies. The systems may take several years to establish, but the long-term benefits include healthier animals and soils, greater yields, and the capacity to sequester atmospheric carbon better than forests or grasslands alone. For all these reasons and more, Silvopasture offers farmers an innovative and ecological alternative to conventional grazing practice.Trade Review“With farmland getting scarcer and the climate getting warmer, we must figure out novel approaches to growing food on less land with a smaller environmental footprint. Getting meat, firewood, lumber, mushrooms, berries, nuts, and other crops off the same piece of land will be even more important. One of the best approaches to that is silvopasturing—combining food animals with tree crops. Author Steve Gabriel gives us a well-organized, practical guide to this centuries-old approach of land management.”—Rebecca Thistlethwaite, author of Farms with a Future and The New Livestock Farmer“A heartfelt, humble, and hope-filled account of the need for people to embrace one another and the landscapes we inhabit, told through the invaluable language of silvopasture. This book is packed with information and practical examples for anyone interested in the benefits of trees and grazing for the health of soil, plants, herbivores, and human beings.”—Fred Provenza, professor emeritus, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University“There comes a time when modern messengers are needed to bring new life to ancient practices so that they can be utilized by the masses to transform society. In this foundational book, Steve Gabriel masterfully blends years of hard work, listening, and studying to present the complex subject in simple yet meaningful ways. Silvopasture provides much needed support and inspiration for anyone interested in becoming part of the solution to our climate, ecological, economic, and health challenges.”—Vail Dixon, Simple Soil Solutions“There is rapidly increasing interest among European farmers in combining trees and livestock, but until now there’s been no really good book to guide them that explores all the benefits, as well as the tricky management decisions, involved in silvopasture systems. This is where Steve Gabriel’s book, appearing at exactly the right moment, comes in. Covering both tree management (stocking, species, etc.) and animal management (fencing, shelter, and breeds) as well as the ecology of the interactions between the two, this book should become the first port of call for farmers needing that extra information and confidence to take the step toward becoming agroforesters.”—Martin Crawford, director, Agroforestry Research Trust“To practice silvopasture grazing successfully we must recognize the complexity of the farm ecosystem as a whole, and understand the needs of the many different parts of the system: livestock; understory plants, including grasses, legumes, and forbs; trees and other woody plants; and, of course, the soil itself, which must be maintained in good health. This book is an excellent resource to gain the essential knowledge needed to manage silvopasture well.”—Sarah Flack, author of The Art and Science of GrazingTable of ContentsForeword Prologue 1. What Is Silvopasture? 2. Perspectives from Ecology and History 3. Taking Care of Animals 4. Converting Woods to Silvopasture 5. Bringing Trees into Pasture 6. Putting It All Together with a Farm Ecosystem Epilogue Index

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Book SynopsisGail Damerow shows you how to incubate, hatch, and brood baby chickens, ducklings, goslings, turkey poults, and guinea keets. With advice on everything from selecting a breed and choosing the best incubator to feeding and caring for newborn chicks in a brooder, this comprehensive guide also covers issues like embryo development, panting chicks, and a variety of common birth defects. Whether you want to hatch three eggs or one hundred, you’ll find all the information you need to make your poultry-raising operation a success.

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Book SynopsisBest-selling author Melissa Caughey knows that backyard chickens are like any favourite pet - fun to spend time with and fascinating to observe. Her hours among the flock have resulted in this quirky, irresistible guide packed with first-hand insights into how chickens communicate and interact, use their senses to understand the world around them, and establish pecking order and roles within the flock. Combining her up-close observations with scientific findings and interviews with other chicken enthusiasts, Caughey answers unexpected questions such as Do chickens have names for each other? How do their eyes work? and How do chickens learn? Foreword INDIES Silver Award Winner

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Book SynopsisThis best-selling handbook is packed with detailed information on housing, feeding, and fencing dairy goats. It’s been the trusted resource on the topic for farmers and homesteaders since it was originally published in 1975, and the new edition — completely updated and redesigned — makes Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats more comprehensive and accessible than ever. In-depth sections explain every aspect of milking, including necessary equipment, proper hand-milking techniques, and handling and storing the milk. New color illustrations show each stage of kidding, and substantial chapters on dairy goat health and breeding include the most up-to-date research and practices.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisHow can we learn from previous food production mistakes and pave a way for producing sustainable, nutritious, local meat? The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of our globalised food system and highlighted the desperate need for local and regional supplies of healthy meat. We must replace industrial feed models, which are responsible for significant climate emissions, nitrogen pollution and animal suffering. Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World outlines a hopeful path out of our broken food system via regional networks of regeneratively produced meat. In 2017, Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger went to market with Big Picture Beef, a company that partners with farmers across the northeastern United States to provide high-quality, 100% grass-fed beef. Their model has increased participating farmers’ access to wholesale markets, and their holistic grazing management techniques offer multiple benefits for the health and wellbeing of consumers, the environment and livestock. In Grass Fed-Beef for a Post-Pandemic World, you’ll find information assembled from the fields of ecology, climate science, nutrition and animal welfare, along with stories from Ridge’s travels as a consultant on farms all over the world. You’ll discover how regenerative grazing can: restore degraded farmland protect against droughts and floods increase biodiversity combat climate change by reducing emissions and sequestering carbon contribute to regional economic development produce nutrient-dense, healthy meat for consumers Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World is not just for beef producers, but for anyone wondering how our farmers can raise cattle while caring for the local and global environment.Trade Review“Grazing animals are a natural part of the land. When grazing is done right, it will improve soil health and regenerate the land. Cattle have been criticized for occupying too much land, but people forget that 20 percent of the habitable land on Earth cannot be used for crops. The only way to raise food on this land is grazing animals. The land is either too hilly or arid for crops. In this book, you will learn how grazing and regenerative agriculture is a win-win for both producing food and the environment.” —Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human; professor, animal science, Colorado State University“The next time someone argues that cows are disastrous for the planet, hand them a copy of Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World. Equal parts manifesto and how-to guide, Shinn and Pledger will show you that the solution to our human and planetary health crisis begins with a cow eating grass and ends with the most delicious steak you’ve ever had.” —Dan Barber, author of The Third Plate“This comprehensive and engaging account offers a path forward from industrial to regenerative agricultural practices, one that is urgently needed in the face of diminishing availability and increasing costs of the fossil fuels largely responsible for a precipitously warming global climate. This book is a must-read for people worldwide interested in how managed grazing can enhance the health of soil, plants, domesticated and wild animals, and humans and can help cool a warming planet as increasing temperatures make large swathes of the globe, including many parts of the United States, uninhabitable during the next fifty years.” —Fred Provenza, professor emeritus, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University; author of Nourishment“Lynne Pledger and Ridge Shinn have created a readable, usable guide to grass-fed beef—full of both the hows and whys. An essential addition to the libraries of everyone involved in the raising and selling of beef.” —Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of Defending Beef"Whether you eat beef or not, this book reveals what what everyone needs to know—why grass-fed beef is better not just for the health of cows but for people and the planet as well." —Anne Biklé, coauthor of What Your Food Ate“Challenging the entrenched wisdom that cows are bad for us and the environment, Grass-fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World offers a well-seasoned perspective that the real problem is how we raise them.” —David R. Montgomery, author of Dirt and Growing a Revolution“Anchored in the science, history, and first-hand practice of regenerative grazing, Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger make a deeply informed and unromanticized case for incorporating the ‘work with nature’ principles of nineteenth century agriculture to, among other things, restore soils, promote rural economies, mitigate climate disruption, and support overall well-being—system-wide and at scale.” —Jock Herron, design critic focused on food systems and health, Harvard Graduate School of Design“Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World is a well-researched and timely contribution to a much-needed conversation about what we eat and where it comes from. Fascinating for anyone interested in finding ways they can personally help mitigate climate change and ‘eat better’ for the planet, for animal welfare, and for their own health. Essential reading for farmers wanting to restore their land, feel good about what they do, and turn a profit.” —Libby Henson, codirector and cofounder, Grassroots Systems“As we increasingly recognize the vital role of regenerative grazing in human, ecological, and planetary health, the question invariably asked is, how quickly can it be scaled up? Informed by decades of industry experience and market success, the authors of Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World lay out a brilliant strategy for transforming beef production from a conventional, extractive, fossil fuel-intensive model to an approach that heals degraded soil, improves wildlife habitat, rejuvenates rural economies, and sequesters carbon. Best of all, their vision is adaptable to all regions.” —Karl Thidemann, cofounder, Soil4Climate “This book gives me hope. In it, soil and climate heroes Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger bring us a giant step closer to the regenerative future. Buy it. Absorb it. Cherish it. Share it.” —Seth J. Itzkan, cofounder, Soil4Climate “This timely book by Ridge Shinn and Lynne Pledger masterfully covers how a transition to regenerative grazing can restore ecosystem function to deliver vital ecosystem services to provide ecological and economic resilience required for a secure and healthy food system base. They outline the steps necessary to transition from the current food system organization to systems that facilitate decision making on the land and educate the population on the benefits of managing to restore ecosystems.” —Richard Teague, professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research

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Book Synopsis'Axel Lindén is a shepherd-philosopher with James Herriot's knack for mishap and an almost Chekhovian deadpan humour.' Observer'Endearing and liberating.' Idler Magazine'A sublime little book.' Cotswold Life_______Why do we keep sheep? Alex Lindén ruminates as he watches his sheep ruminating. Naive and inexperienced, he has ditched his doctoral studies in order to move to a fully working farm in the country with his family, where he is tasked with the responsibility of caring for a herd of sheep.Lindén records his new life in his diary, as he tries to manage life on the farm, the ever-escaping sheep and the trials and tribulations that come with being a shepherd - shearing, lambing and confronting the slaughterhouse. As time passes and he gradually settles into the rhythm of shepherding, his naivete fades away and is replaced with stark realisations about what is now his everyday life. He finds himself applying his experiences of animal husbandry to consider our place - as individuals and as a collective organism - in the universe. Is he really the one caring for the sheep, or are they the ones keeping him? Lindén finds both companionship in his flock and a sound, if complex, moral framework for examining the lives we lead.The result is a sensitive and entertaining meditation on the small wonders in our world.

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Book SynopsisFrom alpha-galactosidases to xylanases, Enzymes in Farm Animal Nutrition provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects associated with enzyme-supplemented animal feeds. It details the history and size of the feed enzyme market, before describing how feed enzymes are manufactured and employed in monogastric, aqua and ruminant diets. This new edition explores considerable advances such as the use of enzymes in fish and shrimp diets, new understanding of how phytases function in the animal, NSPase research and enzymes' extended use in ruminant markets. This book also: - Provides comprehensive coverage of all topics relating to the production, use, co-operativity and analysis of feed enzymes. - Is fully updated throughout, revealing significant developments such as new methods to deliver enzymes (formulations, encapsulations, and liquid spray systems) and advances in enzyme analysis. - Includes brand new chapters on combinations of enzymes, antibiotic-free diets and how to measure response in feed-enzyme trials. Covering biochemistry, enzymology and characteristics relevant to animal feed use, this book forms a valuable resource for academics and students of animal nutrition and production, as well as professionals in the animal feed industry.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Feed Enzyme Market in 2020 and Beyond. Ceinwen Evans and Hamish Irving Chapter 2: Feed Enzymes: Enzymology, Biochemistry, and Production on an Industrial Scale. Jari Vehmaanperä Chapter 3: Xylanases and Cellulases: Relevance in Monogastric Nutrition – Pigs. John F. Patience, Qingyun Li and Amy Petry Chapter 4: Xylanases, ß-glucanases and Cellulases: their Relevance in Poultry Nutrition. Michael Bedford Chapter 5: Mannanase, Alpha-galactosidase and Pectinase. Minor Players or Yet To Be Exploited? Jason Lee and Kyle Brown Chapter 6: Starch and Protein Degrading Enzymes in Non-ruminant Animal Production. Aaron Cowieson Chapter 7: Phytases: Biochemistry, Enzymology and Characteristics Relevant to Animal Feed Use. Daniel Menezes Blackburn, Ralf Greiner and Ursula Konietzny Chapter 8: Phytases: Potential and limits of Phytate Destruction in the Digestive tract of Pigs and Poultry. Markus Rodehutscord, Vera Sommerfeld, Imke Kuhne and Mike Bedford Chapter 9: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities for Ruminant Enzymes. Christine Rosser, Stephanie Terry, Ajay Badhan, Tim McAllister and Karen Beauchemin Chapter 10: Enzyme Use in Aquaculture. Gabriel Morales, Lorenzo Marquez, Adrian J. Hernandez and Francisco J. Moyano Chapter 11: Analysis of Enzymes, Principles and Challenges: Developments in Feed Enzyme Analysis. Noel Sheehan Chapter 12: Delivery and Stabilization of Enzymes in Animal Feed. Douglas Dale, Todd Becker, Michael Reichman and Sam Maurer Chapter 13: Poultry and Swine GI Systems Functionally Differ to Influence Feedstuff Digestion and Responses to Supplemental Enzymes. Edwin T. Moran Jr Chapter 14: The Influence of Feed Milling on the Stability of Feed Enzymes. Paul Steen Chapter 15: Enzymes and the Microbiome in the Post-antibiotic Era. Richard Ducatelle, Filip Van Immerseel, Venessa Eeckhaut and Evy Goossens Chapter 16: Parameters Impacting Responses in Animal Feed Enzyme Trials. Carrie Walk and Milan Hruby Chapter 17: Evolving Enzyme Applications. Michael Bedford, Carrie Walk and Milan Hruby

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Book SynopsisThis thought-provoking book explores the link between animals, people and their social and physical environments in relation to livestock farming, food safety, food security and sustainability. Providing an overview of livestock farming and animal related food production systems in a one welfare context, One Welfare: Animal Health and Welfare, Food Security and Sustainability begins by considering the interconnections of animals, humans and their environment. It then expands into the food production system, and considers the integration of positive welfare, stress, use of welfare indicators and the economic perspective. Written by a team of international experts, and with a foreword by Andrea Gavinelli, Head of the Animal Welfare Unit in the Health and Food Safety Directorate General of the European Commission, it connects theory with best practice examples and case studies from both organizations and individuals that have successfully implemented a one welfare approach.Essential reading for academics and practitioners who work within farming, food systems and international development, this ground-breaking text is also an important read for veterinary and animal welfare professionals.

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Book SynopsisNutrition is a very broad discipline, encompassing biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and pathology. Presenting the major principles of nutrition of both domestic and wild animals, this book takes a comparative approach, recognising that there are considerable differences in nutrient digestion, metabolism and requirements among various mammalian and avian species. Explaining species differences in food selection, food-seeking and digestive strategies and their significance to nutritional needs, chapters cover a broad range of topics including digestive physiology, metabolic disorders and specific nutrients such as carbohydrates proteins and lipids, with particular attention being paid to nutritional and metabolic idiosyncrasies. It is an essential text for students of animal and veterinary sciences.Table of ContentsPart I: Introduction and Digestive Tract Physiology 1: Introduction 2: Digestive Physiology: Autoenzymatic Digestors 3: Digestive Physiology: Alloenzymatic Digestors Part II: Protein, Amino Acid and Nitrogen Metabolism 4: Protein and Amino Acid Structures and Properties 5: Protein Digestion 6: Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism and Function Part III: Carbohydrates 7: Carbohydrate Structure 8: Carbohydrate Digestion and Absorption 9: Cellular Metabolism of Carbohydrates Part IV: Lipids 10: Lipid Structure 11: Lipid Digestion 12: Fat and Fatty Acid Metabolism 13: Lipid Peroxidation and Anti-Oxidant Nutrients Part V: Integration of Metabolism 14: Amino Acids and Fats as Metabolic Fuels 15: Energy Storage 16: Disorders and Unique Aspects of Energy Metabolism 17: Feed Intake and Diet Selection Part VI: Structural Features18 The Skeletal System 19: The Integument, Pigmentation, Membranes, and Extracellular Matrix Part VII: Water and Body Fluids 20: Water 21: Blood, Electrolytes and the Anemias Part VIII: Reproduction and the Immune System 22: Nutrition and Reproduction 23: Nutrition and the Immune System 24: The inflammatory Response

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