Pigs are everywhere in United States history. They cleared frontiers and built cities (notably Cincinnati, once known as Porkopolis), served as an early form of welfare, and were at the center of two nineteenth-century "pig wars." American pork fed the hemisphere; lard literally greased the wheels of capitalism. J. L. Anderson has written an ambitious history of pigs and pig products from the Columbian exchange to the present, emphasizing critical stories of production, consumption, and waste in American history. He examines different cultural assumptions about pigs to provide a window into the nation's regional, racial, and class fault lines, and maps where pigs are (and are not) to reveal a deep history of the American landscape. A contribution to American history, food studies, agricultural history, and animal studies, Capitalist Pigs is an accessible, deeply researched, and often surprising portrait of one of the planet's most consequential interspecies relationships.

This is a modern pioneer story strongly evocative of the undaunted spirit that shaped Western Canada.

The South African government has prioritized a reduction of poverty and increased food security in rural parts of South Africa through agrarian transformation. As the bearers and beneficiaries of rural development initiatives, smallholder farmers, including those keeping livestock, loom large in this arena. Likewise, on international development agendas steered by bodies such as the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), smallholders are prioritized as the engines of national economies. This book, based on a pilot study of two livestock keeping communities along the Mpumalanga-Limpopo border, explores smallholder households in order to paint a picture of the challenges faced by smallholder livestock farmers, the practices and knowledge of primary animal healthcare (PAHC) among these farmers, relationships between the state and the smallholders, gendered issues, and the relationship between poor socioeconomic conditions and the keeping of livestock. This book opens up a variety of research and policy questions that encourage further exploration and study.

Born to Farm sheds light upon the enormous changes that have taken place in farming over the past 90 years, as seen through the eyes of one of the participants. It is an absorbing and fascinating autobiography; the author's enthusiasm and quest for knowledge, his ingenuity and practical skills, have enabled him to keep abreast of changes in the wider world while building up the family farming enterprise in Suffolk. The author's early memories of the 1930s and of his school days, evoke a bygone era in the countryside and on the farm. Lifelong learning is a theme which runs through the book. Opportunities for learning and travel through the Young Farmers' Club, for example, are described with humour and give an insight into farming both in the UK and the USA during the 1950s. Back on Red House Farm, David Black deals with everyday challenges as he progresses from dogsbody to decision-maker. Problem-solving is part of a farmer's life and no aspect of the business escapes his steady hand and scrutiny. Gradually, the huge variety of crops grown is streamlined but not before we've learned about harnessing horses and draining the land, about virus-free strawberry plants and fields of tulips and peonies, of cocksfoot and fescue. Pigs are an important aspect of the family business and the evolution of suitable feed mixes, pig housing, breeding and outdoor rearing, integrated with cereal production and milling on the farm, makes compelling reading. Changes to field sizes and to farm buildings and the provision of housing for farm workers are all covered, with many interesting anecdotes. The value of sharing knowledge and of co-operation with other farmers - both formally and informally - is made apparent. The author is full of admiration for the contributions of others, but modest about his own considerable achievements. Hard work, encouragement of others, and a 'can do' attitude summarise his approach. Family life is explored and glimpses into village life provide an interesting social history of the period. Working alongside family members has its own rewards and challenges and the journey has begun along the path to secure a way forward for future generations.

This NEW updated edition of Managing Pig Health and the Treatment of Disease offers a fresh and comprehensive guide to practical veterinary information for pig farmers, veterinarians and technologists around the world. The book is a comprehensive reference guide to managing pig health, with the emphasis on health, on the premise that managing health is the primary way to effectively prevent and tackle disease. The book covers each element of pig health management starting with an introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the pig.

Outlining the core principles of the subject, this introductory-level textbook covers the production of meat, its structure and chemical composition, meat quality and hygiene, and animal welfare, handling and slaughter. The new edition has been updated to cover significant advances such as the process of conditioning, leading to the tenderization of meat, and new coverage of the use of molecular genetic techniques to try to select animals for improved meat quality. It is an essential text for students and professionals in food science and technology, those working in the meat industry, meat inspectors, and vets.* New larger format in two colors throughout* Fully revised and updated including new coverage of genomics* Carefully selected references and titles for further reading

Considered a classic at the time of its publication in 1910, A Shepherd's Life is a rare account of the lives of those who lived on and worked the land in nineteenth-century rural Britain. A masterful work of prose, W. H. Hudson focuses on the story of one man, a Wiltshire shepherd named Caleb Bawcombe, whose tales of sheep dogs, farmer's wives, poachers and local fairs become a sublime account of a way of life that has largely disappeared from these shores.

Want to expertly look after alpacas? Would you like a step by step guide on raising alpacas? Read through this book and you'll discover everything you need to know from... Selecting a healthy alpaca, associated costs, housing, husbandry, health and breeding, plus useful frequently asked questions. Each section is covered in detail. You'll also find a breeder's directory detailing sites across America, Canada and the UK plus a list of relevant websites. Discover everything from Which way the alpaca home should face (and why) What important things you need to know about worming What fencing is recommended and what to avoid How to recognise and more importantly how to prevent some common health problems And lots lots more...

Chickens, with their natural beauty and big personalities, are beloved for the humor and wisdom they bring to daily life. Few are better acquainted with chickens' charm than Melissa Caughey, who has introduced the appeal of owning a flock and chronicled the lives and personalities of her own backyard birds in her best-selling books. In Chicken Wisdom Frame-Ups, she delivers that charm for all to enjoy, anywhere a dose of inspiration might be needed. Sage sentiments meet delightful chicken photography on 50 individual cards, and with a pull-out table-top frame included, you can display your favorite card or easily swap it out for one that fits the mood or suits the moment. It's an all-in-one package that delivers the joy of keeping chickens -- without having to clean the coop!

Cattle are one of our major domesticated animals, a higher mammal with complex mental and physical needs. The benefit of a knowledge of cattle behaviour means veterinarians and stockpeople can recognise abnormal behaviour signs for disease diagnosis and indication of an inadequate environment. This book replaces the book Cattle Behaviour, written by the same author and published by Farming Press in 1993. The text has been revised and updated and four new chapters on cattle welfare have been added. The main interest of many reading a book on behaviour is its relation to the welfare of the species, so the combination of welfare and behaviour is a logical one.

Goats aren't just for farmers anymore. More and more people are keeping goats as pets. They're also choosing to raise them for milk and fibre and are keeping them as pack goats, and companion animals. With minimal space and housing needs, goats are a practical choice for people with small backyards who want to enjoy some of the benefits and pleasures of keeping livestock. "The Backyard Goat" is a perfect resource for anyone looking to raise a goat or two for milk, fibre, or pleasure, this book covers all the essentials of goat ownership. Readers will get to know goats in chapters discussing goat anatomy, different breeds and their histories, and how to choose the right goat for every situation. They'll learn how to play and work with goats, using clicker training to teach them how to do simple tricks, pull and drive carts, and serve as pack goats. They'll learn how to care for their goats by providing proper housing, good nutrition, and a healthy environment. And they'll find specific chapters on milking, shearing, breeding, raising newborn kids, and more.