Ulteriori informazioni
Every farm needs a cow — here's how to do it right from day one. Learn how to raise healthy, contented cattle that feed your family, build your soil, and bring your homestead to life. Whether for milk, beef, or both, this is your essential guide to happy cows and a thriving, sustainable farm.
Dreaming of your first family milk cow or hoping to manage a small beef herd? Homestead Cows walks you through how to start with cows, choose the right breed, and build a resilient herd that will support your homestead for years to come.
Written by Callene and Eric Rapp, award-winning farmers and long-time contributors to Grit Magazine, this trusted guide distills decades of hands-on livestock experience into a complete, realistic plan for success.
What You'll Learn Inside
- Choosing breeds and herd size to fit your land, family, and goals
- Designing practical housing and fencing systems that make chores easier
- Feeding for health and longevity with rotational grazing and balanced nutrition
- Low-stress handling and care that keeps cows calm and farmers safe
- Breeding, calving, and raising calves without fear or confusion
- Processing, dairy, and beef basics — make the most of every cow
- Financial management and sustainability so your herd supports itself.
You'll also gain insight into
regenerative soil building, forage systems, and
ethical,
low-input livestock management that improves both land and life.
The Rapps operate
Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the US, and manage a herd of
heritage Pineywoods cattle, one of North America's oldest and hardiest breeds. With more than
50 years of combined experience, they've handled nearly every species of domestic livestock and bring that depth of understanding to every chapter.
For anyone wondering how to:
- Start raising cows on a small farm or homestead
- Balance animal care with self-sufficiency and land health
- Produce nutritious food while farming regeneratively.
…
Homestead Cows is the
best guide for beginners and seasoned homesteaders alike.Open the gate — your cows are waiting.
Info autore
Since 2005, Eric and Callene Rapp have owned and operated the award-winning Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. Callene is also a regular contributor to Grit Magazine. They live and farm in Leon, Kansas.
Riassunto
Homestead Cows is a comprehensive guide to raising cattle, from a single milk cow to a small farm herd. Offers detailed planning rooted in practical experience, covering breed selection, herd size, whole farm management with cattle, safe handling, finances, housing, health, reproduction, processing, and more.
Prefazione
- Co-op available
- Digital galleys on Edelweiss
- National advertising: Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm, GRIT
- National print campaign: Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm, GRIT, Acres U.S.A., Small Farm Canada
- Outreach to homesteading podcasts and radio shows
- Online/social media outreach
- Facebook Live event and giveaway with author
- Outreach to the Livestock Conservancy
- Promotion on New Society Publishers social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, our blog, Pinterest, Instagram, in-house newsletter, and YouTube
- General tour info: Mother Earth News Fairs. Dates TBA
- General eBook marketing plan:
- eBook will be available at the same time as print publication to maximize sales
- eBook ISBN will be included on all press materials, author and publisher websites, and whenever print ISBN is listed
- publisher and authors will be promoting both e and p through social media
- Excerpts target for first serial rights: Mother Earth News, Hobby Farm, Acres U.S.A.
- Promotion through the author's website: rareharebarn.com
