Beef Cattle Manual
Since 1983, the Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual has been a key resource of research-based information for beef cattle producers, extension professionals, veterinarians and others in the beef industry. The Manual, currently in its Eighth Edition (2021), has evolved and expanded in content over time. It currently includes 45 chapters covering 6 primary topic areas, including Industry Issues, Economic Issues, Forage, Nutrition, Breeding, Herd Health, and Environment for Raising Cattle. The first-ever Spanish translation of the Beef Cattle Manual is also available in the Eighth Edition.
While the Beef Cattle Manual is used as the curriculum for the Master Cattleman certification program, the Manual is also available for purchase by the general public. The options to order the manual are below or contact your local OSU Extension office for more information.
Manual Order Form
Beef Cattle Manuals are available to order from Kareta Casey or you may order online using a credit card. Cost is $50 + shipping. Delivery methods include U.S. Priority mail (2-3 days) or U.S. Library rate (7-10 days). Current shipping rates are listed on the order form. For shipping rates on multiple manuals or for international shipping, please contact Kareta Casey or mastercattleman@okstate.edu prior to ordering.
Order the English Version Manual
Order the Spanish Version Manual
Please contact Kareta Casey if you have any questions or to manually order your Beef Cattle Manual.
Beef Cattle Manual Table of Contents
| Chapter Number | Chapter Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beef Industry Overview for Oklahoma |
| 2 | Beef Industry Issues and the Future |
| Economic Issues | |
| 3 | Ranch Business Planning and Management |
| 4 | Analyzing Financial and Production Performance |
| 5 | Leasing Arrangements in a Beef Cattle Enterprise |
| 6 | Business Organization and Tax Considerations |
| 7 | Economic Considerations in Disaster Management |
| 8 | Livestock and Forage Insurance Options |
| 9 | Beef Cow-Calf Marketing |
| 10 | Value-Added Marketing Opportunities |
| Forage | |
| 11 | Grazing Management |
| 12 | Hay Production, Storage & Feeding |
| 13 | Small Grain Forage Management |
| 14 | Fire and Livestock Production |
| Nutrition | |
| 15 | The Ruminant Animal |
| 16 | Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle |
| 17 | Nutritive Value of Feeds |
| 18 | Alternative Feeds |
| 19 | Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition of Grazing Cattle |
| 20 | Body Condition Scoring of Cows |
| 21 | Supplementing Beef Cows |
| 22 | Supplementing and Feeding Calves and Stocker Cattle |
| 23 | Supplementation of Stocker Cattle on Small Grain Forage |
| 24 | Preconditioning Nutrition and Management |
| Breeding | |
| 25 | Performance Recording Guidelines |
| 26 | Expected Progeny Differences |
| 27 | Management of Effective Mating and Crossbreeding Systems |
| 28 | Genetics in the Genomics Era |
| 29 | Across Breed EPD Exercise |
| 30 | Management Considerations for Bulls |
| 31 | Synchronizing Heats in Beef Cows and Heifers |
| 32 | Artificial Insemination |
| 33 | Embryo Transfer |
| 34 | Choosing a Calving Season |
| 35 | Calving Time Management for Beef Cows and Heifers |
| Herd Health | |
| 36 | Herd Health |
| 37 | Internal Parasite Control |
| 38 | External Parasite on Beef Cattle |
| 39 | Implants and Their Use in Beef Cattle Production |
| Environment for Raising Cattle | |
| 40 | Cattle Handling and Working Facilities Design |
| 41 | Waste Management |
| 42 | Biosecurity |
| 43 | Livestock Mortality Management |
| Beef Industry Issues | |
| 44 | Beef Grading Standards |
| 45 | Beef Quality Assurance |
| Appendix 1 | Gestation Table |