Foreshadowing of the boy asking about how many cattle die from anthrax. Then the boy finds a dead cow in the field and skins it while wearing gloves. Phil's skins get sold so he doesn't have enough to finish his rope, so the boy gives him some extra skin shreds he had because he was "going to make his own". Phil uses said anthrax cattle shreds and dies. His pre-existing cut on his hand (also foreshadowed) probably contributed as well.

Movie was slow and depressing, but I guess that's why it's art and received high acclaim by some expert.