The Farmer's Library

🐷 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝟭𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 — 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬-𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘: $𝟮.𝟵𝟵

Better pig farming starts with better planning.

*Pig Farming Made Profitable* is a practical 217-page digital guide covering the decisions that shape a small pig enterprise—from budgeting, housing and feeding to health, breeding, recordkeeping and controlling production costs.

For the next 12 hours, you can download the complete digital eBook for just $2.99.

After the Early-Bird offer ends, the price increases to $3.99.

📖 217 practical pages
🐖 22 detailed chapters
📋 27 appendices, checklists and planning tools
📥 Instant digital download

👉 Get your copy here:
https://www.farmers-library.com/product/pig-farming-made-profitable/

⏳ The $2.99 Early-Bird price ends in 12 hours.

What can you learn from a few minutes of careful observation?

Find more practical livestock checklists at https://www.farmers-library.com

During your daily livestock check, pay attention to appetite, water intake, movement, manure, breathing, body condition and unusual behaviour.

Observe animals individually and as a group. Record anything that has changed, including the date and the animal’s identification.

Not every change means there is a serious problem—but a change is a reason to look closer.

Save this checklist and share it with someone who looks after livestock.

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com for more practical farm information.

Graphic: The Farmer’s Library.

One ewe is standing away from the flock. What should you do?

Find more practical sheep-management information at https://www.farmers-library.com

First, observe before jumping to a conclusion. Look at appetite, water intake, posture, movement, breathing, manure, eyes, nose and signs of injury or discomfort.

Record what you see and check the ewe safely. If the change persists, the animal appears distressed or you are concerned, contact an appropriate animal-health professional.

What behaviour tells you that one of your sheep needs a closer look?

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com for more livestock observation guides.

Photo: Martin Bisof / Unsplash.

Boer goat or Kalahari Red—which one fits your farm?

Explore more goat-breed and management information at https://www.farmers-library.com

Do not choose a breed only because it is popular. Compare climate and browse, feed resources, parasite pressure, facilities, breeding objectives and local market access.

Individual animals and bloodlines can differ considerably. Inspect records and evaluate animals under conditions similar to your own.

Which breed would you choose, and why?

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com before making your next breed decision.

Photos: Lazarus000 and Lonetal-Ziegen, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and branded by The Farmer’s Library.

MYTH: Hardy livestock need less management.

REALITY: Hardy does not mean hands-off.

Read more practical livestock-management information at https://www.farmers-library.com

A hardy breed may cope better with particular conditions, but it still needs reliable clean water, suitable feed and minerals, parasite monitoring, appropriate shelter or shade, regular observation and timely care.

Breed hardiness is an advantage—not a replacement for good management.

Which hardy breed performs well in your area?

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com for more practical livestock guides.

Photo: Martin Bisof / Unsplash.

One of the most valuable farming habits is also one of the simplest: observe, record and act early.

Explore more practical farming information at https://www.farmers-library.com

Small changes often appear before a problem becomes obvious. An animal may eat more slowly, stand in a different place, move reluctantly, drink differently or separate from the group.

Daily observation helps you recognise what is normal. Written records help you notice patterns instead of relying on memory.

What farming lesson do you wish you had learned earlier?

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com and build your practical farming reference library.

Photo: Alwi Hafizh A. / Unsplash.

A low purchase price can become expensive if you overlook the animal’s condition.

Find more practical goat-management information at https://www.farmers-library.com

Before buying a goat, check its teeth and age, feet and movement, eyes and nose, coat and skin, body condition, udder or testicles, and available records.

Watch the goat standing and walking. Ask where it came from, what it has been eating and how it has been managed. If possible, inspect the rest of the herd as well.

What is the first thing you check when buying livestock?

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com for more practical farming guides.

Photo: Bailey Mahon / Unsplash.

Dexter cattle may be smaller than many traditional beef breeds, but choosing them still requires serious planning.

Find more practical livestock guides at https://www.farmers-library.com

Before bringing a Dexter herd onto your farm, consider:

• How much suitable grazing is available?
• What supplementary feed may be needed?
• Are your fences and handling facilities appropriate?
• Is there a reliable market for breeding animals, beef, or both?

A smaller animal can offer practical advantages, but success still depends on matching the breed to your land, resources, management ability and market.

Would Dexter cattle suit your farming conditions? Tell us what you would consider first.

Visit https://www.farmers-library.com for more practical breed and livestock-management information.

Photo: Pieter Delicaat, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and branded by The Farmer’s Library.

𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛: 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: Goats are curious and may investigate almost anything with their mouths—but that does not mean every plant, object or feed is safe to swallow.

Goats are selective browsers. When given suitable choices, they often prefer leaves, shoots, weeds and woody plants rather than grazing grass continuously like cattle or sheep.

Their curiosity can still cause trouble. Risks may include:

• Toxic plants growing in or around the paddock
• Mouldy, spoiled or contaminated feed
• Sudden changes from one diet to another
• Plastic, string, wire or other rubbish within reach
• Garden clippings from plants that have not been confirmed as safe
• Access to feed intended for another species

Good management means walking grazing areas regularly, removing rubbish, storing feed securely and learning which toxic plants occur locally.

When changing feed, introduce it gradually rather than making an abrupt switch. Contact a veterinarian promptly when poisoning is suspected or a goat develops serious signs such as severe weakness, repeated collapse, breathing difficulty, marked bloating or rapid deterioration.

Goats may be adventurous eaters—but they are not living dustbins.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘁?