This News Release ran in more than 100 newspapers and magazines across the U.S. This particular review ran in California newspapers where dairying is really big business.
A veteran cattleman has written and published a book involving millions of dollars and millions
of orphans.
The orphans are baby dairy calves and the book deals with how to buy, raise, medicate and sell the calves, which are raised by thousands of people nationwide and represent a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
The book by C.D. Hillsamer is titled, "The Calf Raiser's Handbook And Nurse Cow Guide."
The new edition has just rolled off the presses in Sulphur Springs, where the author has resided since 1982.
"When I left the business world to raise calves, the first thing I did was to look for books on the subject. There were none. So, after interviewing more than 300 calf raisers, veterinarians and auction workers, I wrote one. Now, eight years later, the book is in its 15th publication (now in its 20th edition!!!). Some Ag teachers are now using it as a textbook. Since then I have found a few books but they are inadequate or written far over the head of the average reader or calf raiser."
Hillsamer, who has been buying, selling and raising calves, for several years, has a ranch in Hopkins County, TX., which was the largest dairy producing county and the fifth largest beef producing county in Texas.
Millions of dairy calves are sold each year as babies. People buy and raise five to 100 calves a year to help make ends meet. The dairy industry and calf raising are big business in many states including California, which is very close to taking over the Dairy State title away from Wisconsin. About 1.2 million calves are born in the Golden State each year. And many are raised by women.
Why do people raise the calves? Hillsamer said a baby calf that sells for $100 can be worth $400 or more in five months as either a replacement heifer or a steer.
Normally, when the dairy business is good, heifer calves are sold along with the bull calves. Then the dairy buys replacement heifer - raised by someone else - that are at breeding age. If times are tough, they raise their own replacement heifers, according to the author.
"It's the only way I know to make that kind of money in such a brief time, except maybe drugs and politics," he added. It includes a list of where calves can be found state by state and county by county.
"I do not and have never claimed to be an expert. You can find that in the classrooms. But I have had very good success and good profits so I must do something right," the author said.
The book is created using desktop publishing. This means that any new changes can be made immediately and the book will always be up to date.
The author is a veteran who served in Korea and Vietnam. Active in most veterans groups, he is commander of American Legion Post 642; past commander and now senior vice commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 160. He is a life member and trustee of VFW Post 8560 and adjutant of MOC Puptent 60. Among other duties he served with the 1st Infantry Division, Big Red One, and is a member of that association.
Editor's Note: Hillsamer's book sells for
Another book, The Poor Man's Survival Guide - Get Farm Land Dirt Cheap” tells how to get unimproved acres in the country for nothing or almost nothing. It explains many ways you can make or save money buying land and other items. (Check the link below for more information). It also is $25 a copy, but you can
To order, send check or money order (do not send cash) to:
L.D. Hillsamer, Hillsamer Books,
316 Highland Drive,
Sulphur Springs, TX. 75482.
NOTE: We just got the 20th edition of the calf book off the presses. We have about six month's supply. You can always email for availability.
It looks like the new calf season in 2004 will be one of the best years in recent history, since so many cattlemen sold off stock due to hot weather and drought.
CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Yes, There Is Risk
Chapter 2 What To Do FIRST
Chapter 3 Buying Your Calves
Chapter 4 Taking Your Babies Home
Chapter 5 Caring for Your Calves
Chapter 6 Treating Those Sick Calves
Chapter 7 Weaning Your Calves
Chapter 8 Potential For Big Profits
Chapter 9 A Bullish Business Venture
Chapter 10 Culling Calves and Nurse Cows
Chapter 11 Orphan Calves Come From Dairies
Chapter 12 Don't Be A Cow-ard
Chapter 13 Mama Knows Best
Chapter 14 Selecting, Caring for Nurse Cows
Chapter 15 Building A Stanchion
Chapter 16 Medication, Cow 'N Calves
Chapter 17 Fun On The Farm
Chapter 18 Calves That Did Not Get First Milk
Chapter 19 Layman's Guide To Medicines
Chapter 20 Auctions In Calf Country
Chapter 21 Where The Calves Are (By State, County)
Chapter 22 Artificial Insemination