Resources for Beginners

Here are a collection of resources I have found helpful. Since Miniature Herefords are really just small "normal" cattle, the information we need can be found in just about any material related to cattle. This is fine except I think there are real differences in raising Miniature Herefords that deserve separate attention. There are some articles out there by mini owners that provide valuable information but you have to search for them. The Miniature Hereford Breeders Association is a good place to find a bunch of “hands-on” stories. You will also want to join the American Hereford Association since they keep all the registrations of regular and miniature Herefords. I'll be adding and updating these over time. If you have any resources you think should be shared, please let me know about them. See my BLOG for latest posts regarding tips and recommendations. My Facebook posts will be there as well as other posts.

Books

A Cow’s Life, M.R. Montgomery, Walker & Co. publ., 2004

Subtitled “The Surprising History of Cattle and How the Black Angus Came to be Home on the Range” There is a rich history behind all those black cattle along the roadside. If you like history and cattle, you will enjoy this book.

Cattle - An Informal Social History, Laurie Winn Carlson, Ivan R. Dee publ., 2001

The depth of the connection between man and bovine runs deep and this book gives a very readable history of that relationship.

Grass-Fed Cattle, How to Produce and Market Natural Beef, Julius Ruechel, Storey publ., 2006.

This is a great reference for learning about the important factors in cattle management, whether for grass-fed or not. The only caveat for this reference is that the author is a rancher in Southern Canada. Consequently, the seasonality of forage management and breeding/calving must be reversed for Texas ranchers. Other than that, this is a book well worth having.

Articles

These are randomly selected articles I found helpful. I have many more to add so check back.

Assessing Needs and Feed Sources: How Much Forage Do I have? Mississippi State University

Body Condition, Nutrition and Reproduction of Beef Cows Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Selection and Management of Beef Replacement Heifers, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

The Reproductive and Nutritional Management of Beef Bulls, Extension Beef Cattle Resource Committee

Re: Halter training calves-again!, A forum thread in New Zealand

Genetics and Behavior during Handling, Restraint, and Herding, Temple Grandin and Mark J. Deesing, Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University

informational websites

Here are some sources of information I have found useful. More will be added so check back occasionally.

Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension

“bahiagrass or bermudagrass green-up when nighttime temperatures remain above 60 degrees F for several days in the spring and soil temperature reaches 65 degrees at the 4-inch depth. For bermudagrass or bahiagrass to utilize any fertilizer, it should be applied after green-up and as active growth begins.”

There is some really good information in that paragraph. It came from an article: “Suns Out, Fertilizer Out?” Posted on March 1, 2019 by Vanessa Corriher. Vanessa is an Associate Professor, Forage Extension Specialist in Soil & Crop Sciences at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Overton,TX. Hers is one of many published articles and research publications that are available for free from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s “Texas Forages Website”. Vanessa’s article is found in “Forage Specialist” tab. You will find many other topics covered. This site should be a first-go-to in your efforts to learn how to manage your pastures.

Software

Managing data about your animals is important. Birth dates, sires, dams, registrations, breeding records, expenses, etc., are necessary. I use a software called Ranch Manager Software by Lion Edge Technologies. This is an easy-to-use program with some pretty powerful tools for keeping accurate records. Expense and profit modules are included and make it a lot easier at tax time. It also has a breeding calculator that enables you to discover any possible in-breeding between specific animals. They have a mobile version for IPhone and IPad users plus a cloud service. Although way more suited to commercial cattle production, I find it easy to use for the level of record-keeping in my small herd.

Timing in cattle management is vital, especially regards breeding and calving. Cattle Visions has a convienent mobile app that allows you to calculate breeding and calving dates. It’s free and easy to use.