Written by expert animal agriculture producers for animal agriculture producers, this comprehensive text/reference describes in detail the skills and techniques needed by those who manage livestock -- with a focus on maintaining and maximizing animal well-being and productivity. Hands-on in approach, it fills the gap between the classroom and laboratory -- showing step-by-step how to perform the various manipulative skills of the animal agriculturist in a real-world context. Unusually complete in coverage, it presents techniques and discussions for managing all species of animal agriculture -- beef cattle, general cattle, dairy cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, and poultry -- from breeding and conception through their complete lifecycle.

Reflects extensive livestock production backgrounds of the authors and contributors.

Requires no specialized knowledge -- many of the techniques can be self taught.

Explains what to do and how to do it -- always with an emphasis on how to safeguard the manager's and animals safety.

Focuses on the details -- the essentials -- of the absolutely necessary livestock management techniques for each species.

Presents techniques and discussions for managing all species of animal agriculture -- beef cattle, general cattle, dairy cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, and poultry -- from breeding and conception through their complete lifecycle.

Focuses on those procedures (when there is more than one way of performing a given technique) that the authors prefer and recommend as best for both the livestock manager and the animal.

Follows the same format in presenting the techniques in each chapter:

A brief introduction to each technique.
A list of equipment necessary.
Restraint required.
A detailed, step-by-step procedure with cautionary notes at appropriate danger points.
A description of the normal recovery sequence.
A discussion of necessary postprocedural management.

Includes health management programs and recommendations for each species.

Provides illustrations, when possible, for all concepts and procedures.

Features graphic descriptions and illustrations that were written and drawn while the procedures were actually being performed.
Begins each chapter with a listing of parts of the animal -- with accepted livestockmen's terms.

Contains labeled drawings of the skeletal structures of the various animals (in appendices).

Uses modern, accurate agriculturist terminology and jargon throughout and includes a comprehensive glossary.

Contains a comprehensive, cross-listed index.

NEW--Section on body condition for beef scoring dairy cattle (only line-drawing explanations available in any text).

NEW--Section on processing eggs for food.

NEW--Section on beef quality assurance.

NEW--Only producer-useful techniques are included.

1. Livestock Restraint Techniques.

2. Beef Cattle Management Techniques.

3. Cattle Management Techniques.

4. Dairy Cattle Management Techniques.

5. Swine Management Techniques.

6. Horse Management Techniques.

7. Sheep Management Techniques.

8. Goat Management Techniques.

9. Poultry Management Techniques.

10. Animal Health Management.

Appendix A. The Skeleton of the Cow.
Appendix B. The Skeleton of the Pig.
Appendix C. The Skeleton of the Horse.
Appendix D. The Skeleton of the Sheep.
Appendix E. The Skeleton of the Goat.
Appendix F. The Skeleton of the Fowl.
Appendix G. Age-Weight Relationships for Domestic Livestock.
Appendix H. Gestation and Incubation Table.
Appendix I. Normal Range of Reproductive Behavior.
Appendix J. Absorptive Capacities of Various Bedding Materials.
Appendix K. Immunizing Agents for Domestic Livestock.
Appendix L. Common Diseases of Domestic Livestock and Their Symptoms.
Appendix M. Some Useful Abbreviations, Conversion Factors, and Mathematical Formulas.

Glossary.
Index.