Homestead Cows - by Callene Rapp & Eric Rapp (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

From the Back Cover

Every farm needs a cow - open the gates!

WITH AN APPROACH built around investing for the long term, Homestead Cows prepares home- steaders and small farmers to open the farm gate to cattle, whether a single milk cow or a small beef herd.

Homestead Cows covers the A to Z of husbandry:

• Cow history, biology, diet, and nutrition
• Understanding what you want, what's involved, and creating a plan
• Selecting breeds and determining herd size
• Housing and facilities, transportation, and equipment
• Financial management and the dollars and cents of cows
• Breeding and reproduction
• Cow health and happiness, including safety, handling, and good husbandry
• Processing, products, and cooking.

Cattle are the most productive, versatile, and low-input sources of food and revenue on the farm and can help regenerate and build soil. The secret to success is excellent management, and Home- stead Cows distills decades of hard-won, practical knowledge into an essential guide to successful small-scale cattle farming for every homesteader and farmer.

Eric and Callene Rapp own and operate the award-winning Rare Hare Barn, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. Authors of Raising Rabbits for Meat, they have over 50 years of combined experience handling nearly every species of domestic livestock. They live and farm in Leon, Kansas.

To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.

Review Quotes

"In Homestead Cows, Callene and Eric Rapp take us on an epic journey that covers everything bovine in a uniquely approachable and systematic way. The book covers everything from the history of cattle to the ins and outs of choosing a breed that's right for you and gives you the tools to manage your experiences in a way that's humane for the cattle, the homesteader, and the land. This book is a must-read for every homesteader and small holder with an interest in keeping cattle for virtually any purpose, and would help bring husbandry back to large-scale operators who view cattle as a mere commodity."
--Hank Will, editor, Mother Earth News

"Homestead Cows is a gem of a book full of great advice for anyone thinking about keeping cattle. It's a must read for newbies!"
--Jeanette Beranger, senior program manager, The Livestock Conservancy

"This book covers all the aspects of cattle raising for the beginning farmer who's trying to traverse the landscape of farming. Callene and Eric have drilled down into the howto, without being preachy, to build the knowledge you will need when you put your first animals in your first pasture and watch them thrive. The only thing it doesn't cover is the number of old and new curse words you'll learn and use when you hit your shins on the trailer ball. I'm going to order a bunch and it should be a paperback that will fit in your back pocket or that Carhartt jacket pocket."
--Carrie Balkcom, executive director, American Grassfed Association

"Homestead Cows is an excellent book for anyone interested in raising their own cattle. This book is chock-full of fantastic information useful for experienced cattlemen and novice farmers alike. I would feel confident putting this book in someone's hand and knowing they have all the information they need to raise their own cattle. Callene and Eric did an excellent job writing a book that was easy and enjoyable to read!"
--Emily Nyman, heritage livestock expert, photographer, living history reenactor

"Cattle have been domesticated for over 10,000 years and people have worked side by side with them, benefiting greatly from the relationship. Dual and triple purpose breeds had many uses including draft power, along with milk and meat. Since 2008, Eric and Callene Rapp have owned and raised Pineywoods cattle when they acquired a bull and seven cows to help conserve this triple purpose breed. They've now compiled all of their cattle raising knowledge into an easy to read book that is perfect for someone who is interested in raising some of their own. Homestead Cows is a comprehensive guide that is perfect for the beginner, but is still useful for the experienced cattleman."
--Alicia Boor, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Cottonwood District, K-State Research and Extension

About the Author

Callene and Eric Rapp have owned and operated the award-winning Rare Hare Barn since 2005, the largest heritage-breed meat-rabbit enterprise in the United States. In addition to their conservation work with rabbits, they have a large herd of heritage-breed Pineywoods cattle, and work with the critically endangered Palmer-Dunn strain. Callene has also worked with a variety of cattle breeds at the Sedgwick County Zoo, and Eric has had experience with his family's own cow-calf operation. They have over 50 years of combined experience handling nearly every species of domestic livestock and are active members of the Livestock Conservancy. Callene is also a regular contributor to Grit Magazine. Authors of Raising Rabbits for Meat, they live and farm in Leon, Kansas.