Beef cattle represent one of the largest segments of Alabama’s agriculture industry, providing a great source of income for the state. This handbook explains basic beef cattle practices and is intended to aid beef cattle producers in today’s business. The recommendations and guidelines suggested in this guide address common questions and concerns about running a profitable beef cattle business.

The authors do not assume any responsibility, make any guarantees, or offer any warranties in regard to the results obtained from the use of any management practices or suggestions made in this guide.

Read More

To read the full version of this publication, download a PDF of Alabama Beef Handbook, ANR-1323.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact Leanne Dillard at dillasa@aces.edu.

Kim Mullenix, Department Head and Professor, Animal Sciences; Soren Rodning, Extension Specialist, Professor, Animal Sciences; Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Professor Emeritus, Animal Sciences; Michelle Elmore, Associate Extension Professor, Animal Sciences; Brittney Goodrich, Former Extension Specialist; Leanne Dillard, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Animal Sciences; W. Ken Kelley, Extension Agent, Farm and Agribusiness Management; Max Runge, Extension Professor, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology; D. Alex Tigue, Former Extension Agent; Rishi Prasad, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences; M. Kent Stanford, Associate Extension Professor, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences; Josh Elmore, Extension Agent, Animal Sciences and Forages; Court Green-Johnson, Extension Agent, Animal Sciences and Forages; all with Auburn University

Revised August 2025, Alabama Beef Handbook, ANR-1323

Acknowledgments: The contributing authors wish to thank Mary Kendall Dixon, designer, for her contributions to the original design of this handbook.

Front cover photo credit: Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

This publication was made possible by funding from Alabama cattle producers and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association through its state Beef Checkoff program, the Alabama Farmers Federation, the ALFA State Beef Committee, the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Southern Risk Management Education Center (Project 13689).