Resources
Resources
Today there are more resources freely available than perhaps at any other time in human history. Just by performing a quick ‘Google’ search can turn up a wealth of information on almost any topic imaginable.
Below are some resources that I have found particularly useful. Some of them will be web-based, others books or videos, but in all cases they have been useful tools that have assisted me on my journey.
I hope you find them useful.
Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm & Stable
Not that this book denies the benefits that modern veterinary medicine offers, unless one has that view already, but rather it provides the modern farmer with some alternative approaches; approaches which have largely been lost from agricultures repertoire. Highly Recommended. If you'd like to purchase this book then please select the image or click Here
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In this fascinating book the author, Juliette de Baïracli Levy, outlines a more natural and harmonious approach to livestock care. She recalls a time when the farmer’s first action wasn't to plan a regime of vaccinations, drenching and supplementation to maintain their herds/flocks health, but to focus on developing healthy soils and a variety of pasture & herbage. This allows livestock to 'self-medicate' to keep themselves in peak physiological condition. She asserts that poor and inadequate natural habitat, unnatural feeding practices, and a reliance on medicine to fight individual symptoms of disease without addressing the whole animal have weakened farm animals' innate disease-fighting ability. Her argument for a return to reliance on the natural and away from the synthetic and artificial rearing and feeding methods of farm animals becomes more urgent and relevant given the outbreaks of "mad cow disease" and other ailments caused by these practices.
Natural Cattle Care
Most of the book is focussed around soil management which makes a lot of sense given that it is the soil that effects the nutrition of the grass, the nutrition of the grass that effects the health of the cattle, and ultimately the health of the cattle that impacts upon us... both through food and management. Interestingly her approach to soil managment is also 'natural' with Pat reccommending that farmers avoid artificial fertilisers. She also reccommends that all soil management start with soil testing... after all how we know what we need to do without assessing it first? Pat also covers her mineral mix which is covered elsewhere on this site. I would highly reccommend this book to anyone who keeps cattle, or who has an interest in cattle/livestock. Within the cover you will find a host of concepts and ideas that will make a positive difference to your farm and your animals. If you'd like to purchase this book then please click the image or Natural Cattle Care
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In Natural Cattle Care, Pat Coleby encompasses every facet of farm managment from nutrition of cattle, weed management, soil management and fencing. She outlines a simple commonsense plan for the natural management of cattle.
