<p>
</p>
<p>Storey Publishing’s<em> Illustrated Guide to Sheep, Goats and Cattle</em>, 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 <em>Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds</em> 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.</p>
<p>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? </p>
<p>Look for this title, from one of the world’s most beloved livestock authors, on the<span style=”color: #0000ff;”> </span>
<span style=”color: #0000ff;”>GRIT bookshelf</span>
</a>, or at a book seller near you.</p>
<p>For more information on interesting breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, horses and camelids, <a title=”click here” href=”/article-categories.aspx?id=240″ target=”_blank”>
<span style=”color: #0000ff;”>click here</span>
</a>.</p>
<p>
<hr />
</p>
<p>
<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>