This handy, 148-page manual is aimed specifically for small-scale operations and includes everything one needs to know to get started — or restarted — in the beef-cattle business. Produced by the University of California Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources and edited by Daniel Drake and Ralph Phillips, the soft-cover book offers chapters authored by some of the beef industry's top animal scientists.

The 23 chapter topics run the gamut from breeds and genetics, handling facilities and equipment, fencing, transportation and dehorning and castration, to cattle identification, animal health, reproduction, range management and much more. Available for $18; call 800-994-8849 or visit http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.