Reuniting the Herd and Preparing for Winter in Ontario

This year, we had two groups of cows, one at our farm and another at a rental farm. This past week, the group that spent the grazing season at the rental farm finally came home. Bringing everyone back together always creates a bit of commotion, as the pecking order needs to be reestablished.

For the first half-hour or so, the boss cows made sure everyone knew their place. Some of the calves joined in, too, though they seemed more interested in playing around than asserting dominance. The main event was the bulls testing each other for supremacy.

Bulls Establishing Dominance

Adam, our big black bull and a purebred Black Angus, spent the afternoon getting acquainted with our red bull, a Speckle Park and Red Angus cross who doesn't have a name yet. The red bull did not really stand a chance because Adam is much bigger and stronger, but he did put up a good fight.

The next morning, when I checked on the herd, the red bull was off in the distance, clearly exhausted, while Adam looked relaxed, grooming one of his ladies.

Now that the bulls understand their hierarchy, the herd is peaceful. Adam occasionally nudges the red bull away from hay, but beyond that, there's little drama. Later this week, the two bulls will be separated from the cows for the winter until it is time for them to rejoin the herd next summer.

Preparing the Farm for Winter

Everything on the farm and in the business is running smoothly. As we transition from fall to winter, we're busy placing hay, moving animals to their winter pastures, and ensuring all watering systems are in good working order. We're setting ourselves up for a hopefully relaxing winter, a chance to slow down and recharge for a strong 2026.

We're Grateful for Your Support!

Orders continue to increase steadily, and we're incredibly grateful. Thank you to everyone who supports us and shares our farm with friends and family. Your support allows us to focus on running the farm and the business without worrying about advertising or extra costs. This helps us keep prices lower for you. It is a win-win, and we hope you think so too.