Oregon State University Extension Service

Beef Cattle Resources for Small Farms

This page provides information for the beef producer. Some topics you'll find here are production, breeds, reproduction, calving, nutrition, health, and other resources.

Production

Beef production for small farms: An overview

Learn how to feed and keep beef cattle, market your product and balance the books of your small-scale enterprise. Start by setting some goals.

Gene Pirelli, Dale W. Weber, Susan Kerr | Apr 2026 | OSU Extension Catalog

Rotational Grazing: Livestock Systems Guide (in English)

Rotational grazing is periodically moving livestock to fresh paddocks, to allow pastures to regrow. Rotational grazing requires skillful decisions and close monitoring of their consequences. Modern electric fencing and innovative water-delivery devices are important tools. Feed costs decline and animal health improves when animals harvest their own feed in a well-managed rotational grazing system. Included are lists of resources for further research.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Breeds, Reproduction & Calving

Reducing the stress of weaning beef calves

Weaning is stressful for cows, calves and humans too. Here's a look at how livestock producers can reduce the stress of weaning through preparation, timing, proper methods and post-weaning management.

Shelby Filley | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Oklahoma State Information on Cattle Breeds (in English)

This site is intended as an educational and informational resource on breeds of livestock throughout the world.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Calving School Handbook (in English)

This handbook focuses on the calving process, illustrating and explaining the mechanisms associated with this event, in addition to providing information and management options to alleviate the incidence of calving difficulties.

Charles Estill, Aurora Villarroel, Reinaldo Cooke | Oct 2018 | Online resource

Nutrition

Beef Cattle Nutrition Workbook

A comprehensive workbook covering many aspects of beef cattle nutrition: animal nutrient requirements, forage value, evaluating feeds, minerals and vitamins, ration balancing, supplements, body condition, and heifer ...

David Bohnert, Shelby Filley, Gary Parsons, Randy G. White | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Ruminants on Pasture (in English)

Provides managers with tools and references to consider biological and climatological variables and make decisions that ensure the ecological and economic viability of a grass-based ruminant livestock operation.

Lee Rinehart | Apr 2008 | Online resource

Feeding for rebreeding

Good nutrition is vital for cows and heifers to successfully reproduce. This article reviews their nutritional requirements and the nutrient content of common feeds.

Shelby Filley | May 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Health

Calf Scours: Causes, Prevention and Treatment (in English)

Calf scours causes more financial losses to cow-calf producers than any other health problem in their herds. Calf scours is not a single disease; it is a clinical sign associated with several diseases characterized by diarrhea. This publication discusses causes and treatments.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Descornar terneras con pasta

Learn how to safely and effectively dehorn calves using paste. This method is easy, low-stress, and economical, ensuring the well-being of both the animals and their handlers.

Aurora Villarroel | Jul 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Scours in Beef Calves: Causes and Treatments

Calf scours (diarrhea) is a potentially lethal condition. Learn the causes and symptoms of the condition, effective treatments and ways to prevent calves from getting scours.

Aurora Villarroel | Jun 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Apr 2018
Source URL: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/collection/beef-cattle-resources-small-farms