One of my favorite tools I've been using all winter is my twine knife. I use it to cut the twine off the small square bales of hay and small squares of straw for bedding. It also works well for cutting the twine off our round bales of hay in the pasture where we feed our goats over winter.

While I do carry a pocket knife, I often misplace it or end up leaving it in the house. This twine knife is bright orange and hard to misplace.

The handle makes it easy and pretty safe to use, especially with my seven-year-old. We started with one. Now I keep one in each barn and in the Gator. I've even given them for gifts, yes, that is true!

It's the Kaycee Knife. I've purchased several at Tractor Supply and also on Amazon.

Nearly a week ago we hosted a pasture walk on our farm to share our grazing practices and how we raise our goats on pasture with fellow graziers and goat farmers. Thank you to River Country Graziers (including Kevin Mahalko for leading the discussion), Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Indianhead Sheep and Goat Breeders Association for coordinating the event. And, thank you to my State Senator Patty Schachtner and Representative Rob Stafsholt for attending as well.

As a grazier with four or so years of experience, I was able to share how we’ve gradually renovated our pastures, set up our fencing and water system, practice rotational grazing, and manage our goat herds in a pasture-based system.  I’ve always enjoyed attending pasture walks to see how other farmers are grazing and managing their livestock. It was humbling as a newer grazier to be at a point where I could start to share what we’re doing on our farm with others. Personally, I also appreciated the discussion and tips other graziers offered during the walk as well.  I was able to take a way a few ideas regarding some of my current “challenges” as it relates to conductivity, grounding and hotness of the electric fencing and rotation timing.

I’m looking forward to taking in a few other pasture walks this summer, including others that are local and of course, other small ruminant graziers.

Thank you to Danielle Endvick, communications director for Wisconsin Farmers Union, for taking and sharing the photos of our pasture walk.