Last Thursday evening, we gathered for our first pasture walk of the season in Northfield, with Kevin Veinotte at Out to Pasture Farm—a seventh-generation farmer who’s been rotationally grazing his cattle for over twenty years. He and his family raise Belted Galloways, Katahdin sheep, pigs, and free-range chickens and ducks. It was a beautiful evening, just a few bugs.

Kevin took us through his carefully managed grazing system. He’s a firm believer in the power of rest and recovery, ensuring his pastures have at least 30 days of rest between grazing rotations. By leaving a residual plant height of about four inches, he gives the grasses time to regrow, rebuild their roots, and replenish their energy. And although time is a consideration he is also attentive and keeps a watchful eye to his herd as their grazing may vary. He strip grazes, moving the herd along, and introducing new grass and leaving enough length for good recovery behind them.

We also talked about how tile drainage has been a game-changer on his farm. After last year’s drought, the drainage system helped retain water when it was scarce, and yet still, in wet years, it prevents flooding—truly a return on investment for his long-term pasture resilience.

Kevin also shared his calving practices. Around mid to late May, his calves are born right in the pasture on clean, healthy grass. This natural approach supports both calf and mother health, giving him a hands-off, yet effective way of raising his young stock.

We talked a bit more about the drought and Kevins only regret was not culling earlier. Decisions like this are probably easier in hindsight as we truly have not seen dry weather like that in many of our lives.

Finally, we admired his frost seeding successes—especially with birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, and white clover. The diversity is really coming through, and Kevin’s especially pleased with birdsfoot trefoil, since it’s a non-bloating species.

 

The next Pasture Walk is on June 25th in Berwick with two sheep producers! One in North Berwick and one in South Berwick! Register here: https://www.perennia.ca/eventer/nova-scotia-pasture-walk-series-2026/