Cattle

Cattle

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 its 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. 

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Beef cattle in the pasture
Cattle grazing in a silvopasture
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.
Linda Coffey checking for signs of illness in goat
Cattle at Windset Ranch/Cedar Creek Farm, Arkansas
poly-wire fence
Hereford cattle grazing on an ARS research range in Montana.