Update...

Our great transition from a traditional confinement dairy farm to a grass based, low cost multi - species way of life continues.   We are welcoming an early spring here in central Ontario with above seasonal temperatures.  We had a mild winter with very little snow that actually did not give great opportunity for cattle to be outdoors.  Snow/rain mix = Ice and the cows had to stay inside for fear of serious injury.    Young stock on the other hand had full opportunity outdoors here are some pictures to share.  Mostly taken with my BB - dust, chafe and what ever else is in my pocket collects on the view finder...the pictures aren't great. 

Milk bar feeding system

All huts were used this winter to accommodate the young stock.  Chopped straw was added 1/week, packs were picked every day.  The calves stayed  clean and  thus dry and warm - and they all developed great coats.    The calves liked to stick together, when given the option they would choose the large 'super huts'.  I did  notice on really cold windy days 2-3 little one's could be found in each of these small huts.  They know what they need.

For next winter we hope to upgrade to 3-4 new wooden structures and a few small huts for the wee ones.  This group of calf shelters are 25 years old and showing their age.  The one on the left took flight twice this winter so now the roof is barely holding on.  The location of this paddock/winter refuge yard proved a good wind break with a woods and hill on the west side.  I hope to keep it as a calf refuge area in the years to come for those reasons. 

The calves would spend most of their time during the day outside.

We had two hay feeders made up for winter feeding, custom made with a nice height off the ground for calves of all ages to get access to hay and wet balage.   No grain fed.  It has been an amazing year of change for us.  We are thrilled with the future and are excited with grazing just around the corner.