Handbook of Livestock Management (3rd Edition) [Hardcover]

Richard A. Battaglia (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130104914 | ISBN-13: 978-0130104915 | Publication Date: May 22, 2000 | Edition: 3

For courses in Animal Management.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 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 including beef cattle, general cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, from breeding and conception through their complete lifecycle.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

PREFACE

The first edition of Handbook of Livestock Management was designed to fill the need for a book that described in detail the skills and techniques needed by those who managed livestock. We, the authors and contributors to that first edition, thought it important that the teacher, student, and producer utilize sound and safe procedures in the management of farm animals, thereby maximizing animal well-being and productivity as well as enjoyment for the manager. The book was intended as a comprehensive text and reference for students of animal science, veterinary science and technology, and vocational agriculture, and as a handbook and reference for livestock producers and technicians.

Today, just as when we completed the first two editions, the need is the same—a text, a guidebook, that provides the details of useful, complete, accurate and safe procedures for performing the absolutely necessary livestock management techniques. This book is intended to fill in the gaps between the classroom and the laboratory. The material is not theoretical; it is primarily hands-on. It describes not only what to do but how to do it.

In reality, the need for the Handbook is greater today than it was 20 years ago. There are fewer of us growing up on farms, there is a greater awareness of the need to provide for an animal's well-being, and there is less time to teach (and learn) hands-on manipulative skills because of the ever-increasing body of technical and cognitive skills that must be taught to (and learned by) our students in the classroom.

Just as in the first two editions, included in this edition of the Handbook are chapters on the management of beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, and poultry, along with chapters on livestock restraint and herd health. The presentation of the techniques in each chapter follows the same format. A brief introduction to each technique is presented along with a listing of necessary equipment, a discussion of required restraint, a detailed step-by-step procedure with cautionary notes at appropriate danger points, a description of the normal recovery sequence, and a discussion of necessary postprocedural management. At every opportunity, the verbal directions are supported by illustrations, of which there are over 800.

Parts of the animal, with terms accepted by livestock professionals, are included as chapter frontispieces. Labeled drawings of the skeletal structures of the various animals are presented in the appendices. A useful glossary and a comprehensive, cross-listed index complete the educational package.

No specialized knowledge is required for an understanding of the text. Many of the techniques can be self-taught. The book is written and organized in such a manner that the student can learn by doing. When it is commonly recognized that there are several ways of performing a technique, the one presented is preferred by the author and recommended as best for both the livestock manager and the animal.

The material presented in Handbook of Livestock Management reflects -the years of experience and livestock production backgrounds of the author and contributors. It is unique in its approach and in its completeness. The author hopes that this book will serve as a comprehensive, useful text and reference work for those engaged in teaching livestock management to young men and women and for those actively working in production agriculture careers.

Moscow, Idaho. RAB

From the Back Cover

Now in its third edition, Handbook of Livestock Management 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. Complete in coverage, it presents techniques and discussions for managing all species of animal agriculture including beef cattle, general cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, from breeding and conception through their complete life cycle.

Some of the features of the new edition include:

• A hands-on approach, filling the gap between classroom and laboratory.
• Shows readers, step-by-step, how to perform the various manipulative skills of the animal agriculturist in a real-world context.
• Over 800 detailed illustrations.
• Fully support and enhance the text.
• New drugs and new protocols are discussed. Items not approved by the USDA have been deleted.
• Keeps readers informed regarding those drugs most recommended for livestock and those no longer approved.
• Table compiling disease and routes of disease entry has been added.
• Offers readers a convenient tool for reference.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 620 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (May 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130104914
• ISBN-13: 978-0130104915
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars clear illustrations, directions and descriptions, October 1, 2004

By 

ANSC girl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Livestock Management Techniques (Hardcover)

I loved this book when I used it for class, and kept it for reference afterwards. I really liked how direct and clear the infomation was, I felt that if the need arose, I would be able to appropriately execute a new restraint, etc based on this book. It has a good deal of very relevant information, especially for someone who might not be as familiar with handling a species, for instance a cow person who needs to help someone with their swine. And for someone who might not have been around livestock, there is a lot to learn as well with plenty of illustrations so even if you are still learning the terminology you can see what is being described.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners, too basic for more advanced people, December 9, 2005

By 

S. Speight - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Livestock Management (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I got this book for a livestock management class, glanced through it, and never looked at it again. It goes through how to handle all sorts of different animals, which is great for beginners, but way too basic if you've already worked with them. I wouldn't waste your money on it unless you are an absolute beginner in the animal science world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Text Book, October 27, 2011

By 

Failtelorn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of Livestock Management (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

I've dreamed of moving back to a farm for most of my life, having grown up during my youngest years on one. I of course want all the usual farm critters but I know I don't know a thing about raising them. So I'm teaching myself everything I need to know now, so that when I am able to make the jump from city life to farm life I'll be a little more prepared.

This Textbook is exactly what I'm looking for. Straight forward, standard format with quite a wide range of coverage for all the standard farm animals. It doesn't try and pull any punches either, readily admitting that sometimes pain during handling livestock is not only neccessary but required. It teaches how to use the least painful, least stressful, least disturbing amount of intervention required for the various tasks, and what signs you can read from the animal to know what level to respond with.

Obviously first hand experience will be a thousand times better but knowing what to expect will definitely make that a much less traumatizing event for me, and for the critters I will some day soon be raising.