Producer Profile & Grazing Mentorship with Randy Tkachyk

The Tkachyk farm is a third-generation farm that was established in 1907. Together with his wife, Randy enjoys the farming lifestyle. 

He had the opportunity to add custom grazing beginning in the early 2000s, with adjacent lands being available to rent and purchase. Being the only operator on the farm, and no extra help, he made the decision to take the hay ground and fence off into paddocks to aid in soil health and better grazing land for the cattle.

They keep their cattle out on pasture or hay fields all year, utilizing bale grazing to  improve soil health. Their land can sustain our cow/calf herd, with custom grazing a couple of other herds separately for the grazing season. Randy practices a rotational grazing system with all herds and uses pipeline watering systems throughout the farm. They also have pasture hens that run on the pastures a few days after the cows have grazed and market grass fed beef.

One of Randy’s philosophies is that planting fence posts is something that can help extend the grazing season.  He uses Poly wire, acting as a Shepherd, to narrow paddocks. He has been successful in using cover crops to eliminate the need for fertilizer and to extend their season grazing.

He also believes that the more you experiment the more you realize you don't know and there are many lessons yet to be learned. It's fun to learn and it's okay to fail when doing your own farm research. If you don't risk failure, you are guaranteed failure.

Randy uses Social media to connect with other Farmers, which has made him eager to learn more, and to share ideas.  You can find him on social media and YouTube at “Life on a Manitoba Farm”, 

Randy shares his rotational grazing strategies and his goals for his herd.  Randy farms grass and focuses on soil health, and with the help of fence posts and polywire, he has greatly extended his grazing season. 

References and Links:

Manitoba Grass-Fed Beef Association http://www.manitobagrassfedbeef.ca/About/Tkachyk/

Manitoba Beef www.manitobabeef.com 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSugCIc23bot5a2OhRGagdA

Instagram & Twitter: @lifeonamanitobafarm  

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

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Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011