TheBurkelFarm

We have an epic snow melt that floods out our bottom field after a spring snowstorm. I discuss managing for mud and moving the animals along the hilltops to avoid pugging (mostly ).

I discuss the merits and flaws of bale grazing from a short experiment I ran. I moved the sheep using hay as a steering wheel & and a brief discussion on the merits of developing a scalable grazing system.

I briefly discuss my plans for the spring and getting ready for lambing. My son helps me move the sheep using hay to steer them.

I feed some of the 'candy' hay to the animals and discuss my management choices to move them away from vulnerable ground to avoid pugging. Bob the Dog is given his freedom from the drag chain. Grass is greening up as spring approaches

I briefly discuss my plans for the spring and getting ready for lambing. My son helps me move the sheep using hay to steer them.

I discuss learning from all different avenues of farming and not getting siloed. I'm hitting a number of farming speed bumps through this difficult winter.

Updating the LGD Feeder, Solving the Sheep Winter Water Question, Back on Rotation

We continue to battle winter temps in March. A ewe begins jumping my wire and is pulled out of the flock to be sold. I sink the tractor in snow and mud; and have to switch to squares.

Talking through selling the ram and what to do next. Watching flock dynamics change with pulling the ram out.

I discussed maintaining mental velocity around the farm and its work. I replace the perimeter energizer and prevent a return to sheep campsites.

Ignore the black screen for a few seconds in middle. A professional video editor, I am not. The dogs went for a wild ride thanks to management mistakes - not checking my fence line. Getting bogged down by winter and repetition. Discussing spring plans and reflecting on changes to be made next winter.

Sheep Farming in a Blizzard 2: Digging My Way to the Animals. Reflecting on My Winter Decisions

I spend an inordinate amount of time plowing and keeping paths to the animals open on the farm as we get 2 ft of snow.

Livestock Trailer Restoration Pt. 2 & Shep and Bob Eat Stolen Eggs

Demoted to Chicken Dog & Thinking Aloud: Bale Grazing, Sacrificial Winter Fields, Livestock Habits

This is part one of the trailer project, where I'm bring Doug's old dairy trailer back around to useable condition.

Freezing Rain - Katahdin / St Croix Flock, Wild Dog Pressure and a Layer Chick Update

American Shorthorn Calf Joins the Main Flock/Herd, The Kids Come Along for Chores

The dogs have obviously been scrapping with wild dogs or coyotes. The flock is getting round and showing pregnant and we start dealing with mud and muck as things melt.

I look at ewe conditions and traits as I feed hay and manage for the transition from winter to spring. Loading hay from Doug's. A myriad of farm chores.

The dogs have obviously been scrapping with wild dogs or coyotes. The flock is getting round and showing pregnant and we start dealing with mud and muck as things melt.

We recently got a new steer locally after our cow slipped her AI; he and the ram butt heads. It's starting to warm up.

We take on an early batch of laying chicks so they'll lay in June. I discuss the benefits that led me to manage completely without buildings and the management decisions that must be made to make this work. If you are interested in Joshua's LGD's in northern MN, email ann@theburkelfarm.com and we'll put you in touch.

We plunge downwards thru sub-zero weather and manage the flock through the bitter cold. The neighbor isn't happy with barking dogs doing their job at night. A small tirade about urban flight and how it changes the countryside.

We're selling our three year old Greg Judy ram. He's been the sire of the majority of my ewe flock and it's time for him to move to new ewes.