Craig Kaartinen supplements the herd’s diet with pellets when the temperature drops below -20 C. | Charlene Kaartinen photo
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 to keep them in shape for March calving. | Charlene Kaartinen photos
Two independent individual lengths of poly wire and portable step-in posts are set up across the width of the field. The one closest to the cattle is electrified to prevent them from accessing the remainder of the field, while the second line remains for the next move in a few days. | Charlene Kaartinen photoCraig Kaartinen has adapted his ATV carrier rack so that it will fit his snowmobile to carry his fencing equipment . He also designed a tool so that the poly wire reel will automatically unroll the electric wire as he drives and then he just has to get off and put in the step-in post. | Charlene Kaartinen photoA portable drill with a long drill bit is used to drill past the frost line so that posts will go into the ground easier. | Charlene Kaartinen photoThe cattle, which will graze the bales as they are made available, have shelter and bedding in the north bush so that they are out of the wind. | Charlene Kaartinen photo
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