Craig Kaartinen of Eriksdale, Man., is experimenting with cross fencing and bale grazing this winter on his alfalfa field. He hopes it will save work and fuel while improving the soil with nutrients from the cattle’s manure. The cows still make the almost kilometre trek every day to the yard for water, which is expected […] Read more
Stories by Charlene Kaartinen
Surprise passengers – photo essay
Craig and Charlene Kaartinen of Eriksdale, Man., had a surprise earlier this summer after returning home from town with a load of sisal twine in their cattle trailer. They could hear Jenny wrens chirping after the truck was turned off but couldn’t find the source. They looked inside the trailer and underneath the wiring harness […] Read more
Mineral day – photo essay
Craig Kaartinen recently replenished minerals and salt for his herd near Eriksdale, Man. The diatomaceous earth was a particular hit, especially with the bulls, which will sometimes get down on their front knees rubbing in the tub and digging in the dirt, trying to get the powder up on their backs for fly control. | […] Read more
Greener pastures – photo essay
Craig Kaartinen, who farms near Eriksdale, Man., recently moved his cattle to their next paddock. The cattle are grazing on a lush mixture of young quackgrass and native pasture grasses. The region has received 350 millimetres of rain in the past month, so pasture is plentiful. It’s a welcome change from the drought that had […] Read more
