Product Description

For Animal Science courses in Beef Production and Management, Cow-Calf Management, Seedstock Management, and Stocker Cattle and Feedyard Management.The most comprehensive beef cattle text available, Beef Production and Management Decisions is written to allow students to understand the structural, regional, economic, and management changes and issues confronting the beef industry. This text serves three primary purposes: 1) to identify the significant biological principles that contribute to profitability and sustainability of the production of beef cattle; 2) to systematically integrate the biological and economic principles required to make effective management decisions; and 3) to enhance understanding, communication, and cooperation among all segments of the beef industry.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1691961 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 747 pages

From the Inside Flap

The domestication of beef cattle initiated an opportunity for humans to apply their creativity to the formation of the modern beef cattle industry. Beef cattle provide a source of livelihood and fulfillment to producers, feeders, packers, processors, and retailers of beef products and by-products while providing a satisfying source of protein and other goods to the world's consumers. The relationship between humans and cattle provides not only a rich past but also a hopeful future to many societies and cultures throughout the world.

Purpose of the Book

This book is written to serve three primary purposes: 1) to identify the significant biological principles that contribute to the profitable and substainable production of beef cattle, 2) to systematically integrate the biological and economic principles required to make effective management decisions, and 3) to enhance understanding, communication, and cooperation between all segments of the beef industry.

Target Audience

The book is written for four groups—students, beef producers, beef industry organizations and related agribusinesses, and those who influence the decisions that affect the beef cattle industry. The principle goal of the book is to assist beef industry participants in making decisions that contribute to the profitable production of beef cattle that meet the specifications of consumers.

Key Features

The first seven chapters of the book emphasize management principles for the industry and each of the segments of the production and processing chain. Chapters 8, 9, and 10 are focused on structural changes in the industry, the creation of profitable marketing systems, and the impacts of the international trade of beef and beef products. Chapters 11 through 18 deal with the biological and economic principles needed to understand beef cattle productivity. The final two chapters provide an approach to management of information, understanding the past, and preparing for the future of the beef industry.

Changes in This Edition

The primary change is more emphasis on management decisions while incorporating a systems philosophy that allows better integration of the multi-faceted concepts presented. The book provides strong emphasis on improving profitability from both the process of lowering costs and of improving the quality of products. Significant changes in the industry are outlined and a number of useful websites have been provided to allow students to access additional sources of information. The major societal issues facing producers have also been incorported into many chapters. This edition is also more focused on Total Quality Management and Beef Quality Assurance processes. Changes reflect the input of a number outside reviewers including academicians, cattle producers, and affiliated industry professionals.

From the Back Cover

Beef Production and Management Decisions, fourth edition, is the most comprehensive beef cattle management text available on the market today. Taking a management-systems approach, the new edition identifies the primary biological principles that contribute to raising productive beef cattle. It then integrates these principles with the economic considerations involved in producing profitable, preferred consumer products, thus enhancing understanding and communication among all segments of the beef industry.

Some features of this edition include:

• Takes an updated look at the cattle cycle and the factors that influence it
• Adopts a more ecologically-based viewpoint toward U.S. geography
• Focuses on how Integrated Resource Management principles apply to the beef industry
• Provides in-depth coverage of how beef producers can lower production costs and increase profitability

About the Author

Dr. Taylor was raised on a beef cattle ranch in southern Idaho. He was involved in managing this seedstock, commercial cow-calf and backgrounding operation. He also managed Colorado State University's seedstock herd that is used in teaching, research, and extension activities.

Dr. Taylor received his BS and MS degrees at Utah State University and a PhD from Oklahoma State University. He taught courses in beef production and a graduate-level course in beef cattle management decisions. His research focused on beef cattle management systems. His consulting activities in the U.S. and foreign countries involved all phases of the beef production system.

Dr. Taylor received teaching awards from Iowa State University and Colorado State University, in addition to several regional and national teaching awards. He also received the Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Society of Animal Science recognizing his ability to organize and present materials to students. Many of his concepts for effective teaching are included in this book.

Dr. Field was raised on a Colorado cow-calf and seedstock enterprise. He was involved in the management of the family business after completing his BS degree. He received his BS, MS and PhD from Colorado State University.

Dr. Field teaches courses in introductory animal science, beef production, management decisions, and family ranching. He serves as the director of the Beef Industry Leadership Program and conducts beef cattle management research. He works with beef cattle producers and organizations in the U.S. and internationally.

Dr. Field has received teaching awards from USDA, NACTA, ASAS, and Colorado State University.