Storey Publishing’s Illustrated Guide to Sheep, Goats and Cattle, written by Carol Ekarius, covers 163 breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, and swine - from the well-known Guernsey cow to the nearly extinct Guinea hog. This new book is a perfect companion to the Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds published earlier by the same author, and like that earlier title is a must-have for any livestock enthusiast, breeder or farmer. Like the poultry guide, this book is lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs.

I was so eager to receive my copy that when it finally arrived earlier this week, I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Carol Ekarius has a wonderful gift for communicating the interesting and important aspects of the covered breeds with skillfully crafted prose that keep the reader coming back for more. I have actually lost sleep thinking about all of the different and very interesting breed characteristics in the book. For example, did you know there are at least two varieties of hogs that have single hooves?  Did you know the difference between a purebred and composite cattle breed? What about hair versus fiber sheep? Ever wonder why myotonic goats appear to faint?  

Look for this title, from one of the world’s most beloved livestock authors, on the GRIT bookshelf, or at a book seller near you.

For more information on interesting breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, horses and camelids, click here.

Allis-Chalmers fans should be pleased to know that Briggs & Stratton Power Products, the company that also makes Simplicity and Snapper tractors, has revived the venerable AC brand. According to the folks at Briggs, the company licensed the name from Allis-Chalmers Energy, an oilfield service company that also owns some AC trademarks in addition to the name. The lawn tractors will be marketed through existing Simplicity dealers. Briggs & Stratton Power Products LLC also manufactures lawn and garden equipment for AGCO, Massey-Ferguson and other partners.

According to the most recent, and preliminary product information bulletin from Briggs, the new Allis Chalmers lawn tractor, known as the AC130 will be available with 23 or 24 horsepower V-Twin engines and either 42- or 46-inch wide mowing decks. Both tractors will have 15 X 6.0 turf tires on the front and 20 X 10.0 turfs on the rear. The foot-pedal controlled Hydro-Gear 0510 hydrostatic transaxle will move the tractors from 0 - 5.6 mph forward and 0-3.5 mph reverse, in infinitely variable increments. Both versions of the tractor will have a manual implement lift. Accessories include snow cab, snow blade, bumper, weights, and more. These machines look and spec very much like the Snapper LT100 line.  Look for the once familiar AC logo to reappear soon at a Simplicity dealer near you.