Cattle
![Cattle Cattle](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cattle-845x650.png)
Cattle are the most numerous livestock species in the United States and are common on farms and ranches in every region of the country. Various breeds are adapted to different regions and non-traditional markets may be a good option for producers, especially for grass-finished beef or seasonal grass-based, value-added dairying.
Cattle can be integrated into cropping systems, whether grazing crop stubble or cover crops, which decreases feed costs and contributes to nutrient cycling that helps build healthy soil.
ATTRA has extensive resources for cattle producers, whether it’s beef, dairy, grazing stockers, or dairy heifers. Tap into ATTRA’s practical resources to learn more about low-input, sustainable cattle production, including animal nutrition, healthcare, breed selection, organic production, and more.
Related Topics
Staff Expert
Margo Hale
ATTRA - Sustainable AgricultureLee Rinehart
ATTRA - Sustainable AgricultureDarron Gaus
ATTRA - Sustainable Agriculture![A flock of sheep heading to market](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_9486-260x185.jpg)
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Maloi-pic-260x185.jpg)
![Beef cattle in the pasture](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/beef-cattle-260x185.jpg)
![Cover crops cocktail mix on Jack Boyer farm near Reinbeck, Iowa in August of 2016. Boyer can graze or bale the mixture.](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/34527963384_754de1bc66_k-260x185.jpg)
![Crenshaw Farm in Slick, Oklahoma](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/development-ranching-260x185.jpg)
![Cows and goats grazing the same pasture](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/multispecies-grazing-260x185.jpg)
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/grazing-cattle-for-provenza-blog800x600-260x185.jpg)
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/High-Hope-Farm-350x350-1-260x185.png)
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![Sheep manure in a cover cropped walnut alley. This farmer stopped grazing sheep in their walnut orchard due to the potential risk (and liability) of contamination by pathogens from undecomposed manure contacting walnuts during harvest.](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Manure-1-260x185.jpg)
![Linda Coffey checking for signs of illness in goat](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Checking-for-signs-of-illness-in-goat-260x185.jpg)
![A former CRP field that has less soil aggregation than crop fields.](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/10_Less_soil_aggregation_in_CRP_field-260x185.png)
![Chickens exiting the barn](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/chickens-exiting-the-barn-cropped-260x185.jpg)
![](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Beef-Cattle-260x185.png)
![Cattle at Windset Ranch/Cedar Creek Farm, Arkansas](https://attra.ncat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG_4966-260x185.jpg)