Pretty soon the grass will be jumping and I will be busier than a one-legged man at a butt-kicking contest. Forty-four miles of perimeter fence and 38 miles of electric cross fence to check and repair. Water pumps, electric fencers, mineral tubs, posts, wire, a chainsaw, and my summer cologne — a mix of bug spray […] Read more
How I receive grass cattle
Bale grazing
More than one way to skin a cat
I started bale grazing many years ago more out of necessity than anything else. I had to feed my cattle but I worked long hours, six days a week. There was not a lot of time to be feeding cattle and I dislike feeding in the dark. Over the years I have adapted and experimented […] Read more
The redneck cattle drive
I was at a very large cattle ranch this spring that was very traditional in that everything was done on horseback. As the manager stated, “If these boys can’t hold a rope in their hand, they won’t do it.” I like the fact that they are keeping the tradition alive and it was a very […] Read more
Spring Fencing — Cell Design
Spring is right around the corner and it is high time to look at our fencing plans for this season. I hope you have all taken some time this winter to improve the management of the manager. The off season is a great time to invest in your knowledge and improve your skills as a manager. […] Read more
The swath grazing setup
Grazing with Steve Kenyon
Some people have said it is my cheap and lazy way to ranch. I like to think it is just the smarter way to ranch. I like to analyze production practices in order to reduce the labour requirements and lower the costs involved with each one. Whether I am planning a swath grazing or a […] Read more
Stop stressing over “wasted feed”
Grazing with Steve Kenyon
Once September is over we shift into high gear to get our bale grazing set up for the winter. The race each fall for me is to get the bales in and placed before the twines freeze down. Pulling twine is so much easier in the fall than it is in January. Bale grazing is […] Read more
Youth education is my main business
Grazing with Steve Kenyon
I was seven years old. I can still see my older brother and I sitting in lawn chairs at the top of the gravel road. We would jump up with excitement every time we saw dust in the distance. Every vehicle coming down the road was another potential customer for our pop stand. It was […] Read more
How much gain is left?
Grazing with Steve Kenyon: Don’t be fooled by how much grass is left
I sure have nothing to complain about this year when it comes to the weather. As a Canadian and a farmer, that is frustrating because that is what we do. A Canadian talks about the weather and a farmer likes to complain. If it were not for the weather, most of us would not even […] Read more
It is all in the handshake
Grazing with Steve Kenyon
I grew up in a small agriculture area with relatively low population density. You could see one, maybe two of your neighbour’s yardlights at night. It was very common to have the neighbour over helping with harvest or maybe we would be there helping with cattle. I grew up in a community of very down […] Read more
Plant posts not grass
Grazing with Steve Kenyon: That is the first step to improve pasture production
That is the first step to improve pasture production
At almost every seminar or school I teach about grass management, I get the question about pasture rejuvenation. “What grass seed should we plant to improve our pastures?” Of course this is because our industry is trained and addicted to treating symptoms. It is easier to apply a band-aid fix to a problem than it […] Read moreCanadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
