STEINBACH, MAN. THE CARILLON n C3
www.thecarillon.com n
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
Agriculture Now
Sundown farmer wins watershed district award for rotational grazing, cover crops
by SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC S undown area farmers Randy and Joyska Tkachyk have been practicing regenera- tive agriculture sporadically for 15 years and intensively for the past four years. Be- cause of their passion for responsible farming and eagerness to protect the environment, they have won the Manitoba Watershed Asso- ciation’s Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District Award for regenerative agricultural practices on their beef farm. “(They’re) really big into regenerative agri- culture and Randy is also open and willing to have people come to his farm to see what he is doing and showing them exactly what it looks like and what you can do in your (farm),” said SRRWD district manager Joey Pankiw. Tkachyk has a YouTube channel called Life on a Manitoba Farm where he shares his farm- ing experiences. Tkachyk said he was honoured by the award and that it is only a recognition, but that it’s more rewarding to see the results on the farm and what the outcomes are for the future. “We’re not depilating our soil and our soil is not being blown away into ditches or being put into rivers or lakes. We’re keeping everything here. Our soil is like a little factory for us,” he said. The Tkachyk ranch is a third-generation farm that was established in 1907 when Tk- achyk’s grandparents from Austria and the Ukraine came and established their roots in Manitoba. The farm boasts about 1,200 acres with 80 rotational grazing paddocks ranging in size from two acres to 25 acres used to raise cows and calves. Cattle are placed on fresh grass every three to five days during the summer months and during the winter they eat from bales which allows them to fertilize a patch of SUBMITTED BY RANDY TKACHYK The farm boasts about 1,200 acres with 80 rotational grazing paddocks ranging in size from two acres to 25 acres used to raise cows and calves. Cattle are placed on fresh grass every three to five days during the summer months and during the winter they eat from bales which allows them to fertilize a patch of land and minimize tractor use. They return to the original paddock every 45 to 65 days.
SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON Randy and Joyska Tkachyk hold their award for the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District Award from the Manitoba Association of Watersheds. The Tkachyks grow grass and ground cover for their cattle and practice rotational grazing in paddocks on their farm.
He has 15 different species of cover crops on his farm that the cattle graze on. The diversity improves soil health by reseeding, keeping the soil moist, and limiting erosion. “There’s some cereal in there. We’ve got some oats, barley, turnips, radishes, sunflow- ers, there’s a whole diversity in there. There’s not monocrops…,” he said. Financially, he used the example of paying $90 an acre to fertilize and seed but with re- generative agriculture that amount can drop to $75 an acre because the fertilizing and some seeding is done by the cows. “What is happening is I’m increasing my soil biology in the ground too, which is benefiting this year and the future years as well.” For farmers thinking of implementing re- generative agriculture, Tkachyk encourages them to try it and there are grants available for farmers who are considering the practice. “Just try a small scale. Try a few acres and see what it does but be prepared to fail and don’t say that this is going to be your last try. Try it about two, three times and you could see some results out of it.”
land and minimize tractor use. They return to the original paddock every 45 to 65 days. “Rotational grazing helps soil health, im- proves soil biology, organic matter, and se- questration carbon,” said Randy Tkachyk. “(It) helps the soil retain moisture and resist erosion, reduces runoff and improves water quality.” Tkachyk, who calls himself a grass farmer, said his method of farming leads to fewer herd health problems, reduces machinery costs, supplemental feeding, and cattle can graze late into the season. “He’s a really good example for other people who are trying to get into regenerative agri- culture that you can be doing good things for the environment, but still be a profitable busi- ness and make it a longer lasting enterprise for him and his family. It’s a really good example of people making that transition and showing how to do it and why it works,” said Pankiw. Tkachyk’s journey into regenerative agri- culture began for financial reasons. He found that with a cover crop and rotational grazing he doesn’t have to seed as much or fertilize.
SUBMITTED BY RANDY TKACHYK Randy Tkachyk and his dog after inspecting his cattle.
Staying connected and informed Continued from page 2C
Prairie Hog Country , and The Agri- Post , a publication he co-founded in 2021. He also hosts a Sunday morn- ing farm report on CJOB, ensuring that farmers remain informed about the latest developments in the in- dustry. A life’s work rooted in faith Throughout his career, Siemens has credited the love and support of his family, and his lifelong faith as the foundation of his work. “My ser- vice is to the Lord Almighty,” he said. “I dedicate everything to Him, and
He keeps giving me life.” Many Sundays will find him be- hind the pulpit at his local church. Despite the accolades, Siemens re- mains humble. “I’ve never been one to seek recognition,” he said. “I just let it happen and keep doing what I love to do.” For Siemens, the greatest reward has always been sharing the stories of farmers and making sure their voices are heard. “I love to tell the story,” he said. “I like to tell the story about farming, one farmer at a time.”
His involvement in agricultural media extended beyond Canada. He became a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in the United States, where he built relationships with industry leaders. “There were three or four guys that I’m still in contact with. They were broadcasters at WGN in Chicago. They were my mentors and helped me become a real broadcaster,” he said. During a trip to Kansas City for an industry event, Siemens encoun- tered a group of farm broadcasters who would change the trajectory of his career. “There was an issue at the border having to do with hog pro- ducers, and I was asked to speak at
got smaller, I’d buy another one,” he said. Today, he remains highly en- gaged on social media, using plat- forms like Twitter and LinkedIn to connect with farmers and industry experts. “I have 8,800 followers on Twitter, and I have almost 19,000 on Linke- dIn,” he said. “I do regular surveys, ask questions, and I’m always read- ing. If I can’t be informed, then I don’t want to do this.” Even now, Siemens continues to write for The Ontario Farmer , The
a business meeting about it. When I came out of there, there were 10-12 TV cameras waiting for me,” he re- called. “They were all farm broad- casters, and I talked to as many as I could. That taught me how to work both sides of the media.” Siemens later became president of the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Canadian Farm Writers Association. In both roles, he championed pro- fessional development for agricul- tural journalists. Staying informed and connected Siemens has always stayed ahead of the curve by embracing technol- ogy. “I bought my first computer in 1982, and every time the recorders
BUSINESS HIGH INTEREST SAVINGS ACCOUNT STARTING AT 1.90% *
At this rate, you’ll get there.
*Rate subject to change. Tiered pricing available.
SUPPLIED
Harry Siemens and Lynn Ketelson.
Powered by FlippingBook