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Post by Blessings Farms on Feb 19, 2015 17:31:45 GMT
-5 this morning and 1 at noon. -12 tomorrow morning is anyone warm now? Trying to getting water to livestock three times a day but they still need more. Hans are your waters still working in this ? |
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Post by lonecowhand on Feb 19, 2015 18:31:36 GMT
Oh, that's COLD. Will your cows eat snow? not trying to be funny, a guy on another forum was saying that cows will learn to eat snow, but apparently they have to be shown by one that does. Idunno, but I know that's COLD! (brrr.) How far you gotta go to get water to them?
Bill
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 18:34:47 GMT
It's pretty cold out there! Our waterers are still open, but the ice has formed around the outsides and there is just a 3" or so wide hole to drink out of. There is lots of snow for them to eat if they want though, so it's not a really critical thing as long as the lines going to them don't freeze. Not worried about the lines running through the ground because of the snow cover though.
We try not to use the hydrants in this weather, because those can become an issue.
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Post by Blessings Farms on Feb 19, 2015 18:47:57 GMT
Yes they eat snow and I have to at times out hunting so I
try not to make them eat anymore than they have to. If
forecast holds by mid next week up to 30s and 40s. Swimsuit
weather. Lonecowhand you on homesteading today? Have you
followed there rotational grazing thread those guys are
something else. I have to read and reread on it and still
don't understand. I hope Lakeport help me understand more
am hoping to visit him first of March but with weather
in may be June !!! By the way Hans believe it or not our hydrants are the only thing outside that has not froze yet not bad for burying in Nov. |
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Post by wvdexters on Feb 19, 2015 20:27:07 GMT
We're holding on Ok but geesh it is cold. It's the wind and all the blowing snow that is really making it tough. Tonight is going to be the worst of it I think. They were calling for -8 but hubby said he heard maybe only -5. Fingers crossed. Either way we are looking for wind chills -25 or so.
We moved the dexters back down to the lower field with the barn before this hit. I just came up from checking on them and put out a fresh round bale of their favorite brome hay, and spread a thick layer down in the back of the barn for them to bed down on. I plan to walk down and check on them again before tonight. The older cows and Macklynn hardly seem to notice the weather but the heifers are enjoying the barn.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 20:35:08 GMT
For hydrants it depends upon the soil and your water table. We have a very high water table here, in some areas just 2-3 feet below the ground. When I buried the lines and the hydrants, I put in stone for drainage to a low spot, but the water from the hydrant only drains down to the water table, which may mean that we have water in the hydrant just 3-4 feet below grade, and sometimes below the frost line. If we use the hydrant too frequently the water doesn't drain out real well and freezes up.
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Post by lonecowhand on Feb 19, 2015 20:45:55 GMT
Blessings: Yes and yes, twice now.
I think I get it, surprisingly I see very little of it out here. (You would need to irrigate the pasture , which I will do.) Most cattlemen just move the cows up to the mountain ranges when it gets dry around here.
Hans knows what he's doing, you'll learn a lot once the grass thaws!
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 20:55:13 GMT
It will be cold tonight, but last weekend we dropped to -28 actual temperature. I think tonight it's supposed to be -25 or so. The wind chills were much worse the past weekend. It's a bit below zero right now and the wind is blowing a bit. At this point who's counting?...lol. At least it's sunny, and the everybody seems to be comfortable They sure burn through the hay
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Post by wvdexters on Feb 19, 2015 20:56:58 GMT
As for the water. Please don't laugh ... but it's working.
We've always used a galvanized stock tank/heater for wintertime. But then we always had spring calves in the past. This year with Macklynn we ran into a bit of a problem. Being so young and a dwarf he just couldn't reach. So in the true "Appalachian Spirit" I guess, we looked around the place.... and We just so happened to have an old antique claw foot tub out behind the shed, that I've been holding on to for yrs. It was actually there when we bought the place 20+yrs ago. We drug it out and with a little work ( removed the legs and Dad plugged the drain) It has made an excellent waterer. Holds plenty of water and is just the right height. LOL Plus they're not moving that thing around!!
And the bonus is that for some reason it hasn't iced up like the big stock tank used to; at least not yet. We always had to keep a pipe handy to break through the ice when it would get really cold like this.
So it has been a real winner here. And a lot of fun.
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Post by wvdexters on Feb 19, 2015 21:07:12 GMT
-28 Waaayyy to cold!!!!
I'm already wearing 2 pairs socks, cuddle duds (lady long johns), sweat pants, heavy men's work jeans, long sleeve shirt, hoodie, winter coat, husband's hunting hat over hoodie (this is his insistence because I have a cold), scarf, work boots, and a pair of work gloves.
If it gets any colder I may not be able to walk - or get up if I would happen to fall down. 
The scene from "Christmas Story" comes to mind. |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 21:22:45 GMT
Just saw this article and photo pop up on the internet. I can attest to the ice cover on the lakes, it's pretty extensive now. The photo was taken a few days ago when there was still a fair bit of open water. You can see how the streamers of lake effect clouds (often with snow with them) are created with the the North winds. We're in the thumb of the mitten. If you click on the photo it's a pretty neat satellite shot. You may be able to zoom in and see me on the tractor headed out to the Dexters with a round bale or two (or 5). www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/19/february-cold-could-push-great-lakes-to-record-ice-cover/ |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 21:27:35 GMT
As for the water. Please don't laugh ... but it's working. We've always used a galvanized stock tank/heater for wintertime. But then we always had spring calves in the past. This year with Macklynn we ran into a bit of a problem. Being so young and a dwarf he just couldn't reach. So in the true "Appalachian Spirit" I guess, we looked around the place.... and We just so happened to have an old antique claw foot tub out behind the shed, that I've been holding on to for yrs. It was actually there when we bought the place 20+yrs ago. We drug it out and with a little work ( removed the legs and Dad plugged the drain) It has made an excellent waterer. Holds plenty of water and is just the right height. LOL Plus they're not moving that thing around!! And the bonus is that for some reason it hasn't iced up like the big stock tank used to; at least not yet. We always had to keep a pipe handy to break through the ice when it would get really cold like this. So it has been a real winner here. And a lot of fun. What? You mean it wasn't put up on cinder blocks in the yard with firewood under it ready to light up for a hot tub Friday night???  You must really love your Dexters! |
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Post by wvdexters on Feb 19, 2015 22:28:48 GMT
Yes we do!!! And I've seen that done on tv, pretty cool really. I think they're called "Hill Billy Hot Tubs"
As for the fire under it, you really got me thinking there Hans. That could almost work if we were to lose our electric again tonight. But then with the cinder blocks under it (and yes, no laughing but I do have a number of those stacked up around the place too...they are the most useful things) anyway; If I were to do that then I'd be back to my original problem because we'd be too high again for the little squirt! LOL
Dad is threatening though to take pictures for a Christmas Card, including a Santa hat, bath brush and of course the Dexters
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 23:36:44 GMT
Next year you can make one of those rocket stoves with a discarded metal culvert and place the tub on top of it. Just a thought.
I was out feeding, and freezing. We're near Canada, and get mostly Canadian radio stations (I have some of those "Work Tunes" ear muffs) Anyway, they said -29 tonight with -40 wind chills.
Ok, that's Celsius...but at those temperatures it isn't much different than Farenheit.
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Post by lonecowhand on Feb 19, 2015 23:45:47 GMT
Wowsers! Hans , that photo of the Niagra Falls Popsicle is mighty impressive!
Do they record the depth of ice on the Lakes, as well as the percentage of cover?
Stay warm and check on the Old Timers, everybody.
Bill
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 19, 2015 23:58:19 GMT
There's a pretty good chance the lakes will reach record ice cover this year. Last year was second only to 1994 (not sure when they started keeping the records). We are ahead of last year in terms of percentage as of yesterday. With highs in the teens all next week it probably won't be long until anything left gets frozen. Some depends on the wind speeds and direction over the next week or two, higher winds break up the ice a bit. That's why it's been cold here, we usually have the lake moderate the cold temperatures, but with them getting frozen over, no more moderation!
If it stays in this colder type of pattern for a while, we're probably going to have another cool summer ahead of us, because the lakes have a pretty big effect on our temperatures.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 20, 2015 12:43:44 GMT
Winds are calm and sky was clear last night, and it's -34 outside actual temperature. Some spots in the Northern Lower are -40 and less! I don't remember it ever getting this cold around here. I've heard it's below zero all the way down to Tennessee, and South Florida has sub-freezing temperatures.
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Post by jamshundred on Feb 20, 2015 14:41:45 GMT
Freezing ! ! Worrying about friends south of me dealing with the cold temps and freezing water.
Judy
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 14:48:19 GMT
we are getting a couple of days break here. Should be up near freezing the next 2 days before dipping back down. Our energy free ball water has been great. no Ice at all not even a skim on the top. The only issue I have had and it happened twice. over time the cows drinking and dripping water can cause ice to form around the top edge which then forms small ice cycles that hang down inside. If they get big enough it can prevent the ball from popping back up and covering the whole. a gallon of hot water poored over that takes care of it quick.
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Post by Blessings Farms on Feb 20, 2015 16:08:17 GMT
Lakeports that is COLD !! We had -17. Just for fun look at
Anchorage forecast. Where is Gene hibernating ?
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 21, 2015 11:14:56 GMT
It's a balmy 15 degrees out this morning, and our high is going to be in the 20's! Whoo hoo! Oops, just looked at the 10 day forecast, and we're back to below zero at night and highs in the single digits and teens until March. No snows of any significance though.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 27, 2015 11:00:04 GMT
Another cold morning here...-22F and fairly calm winds so no wind chill at least. Although it seems that they don't even bother issuing wind chill advisories any longer now we're so used to it From the forecast, this looks like the last of the really deep freeze at least. Not sure what I'm going to do on the first day above freezing! |
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Post by Blessings Farms on Feb 27, 2015 11:45:41 GMT
-4 here Sunday 34 but up to 6 " snow. 42 !!! tues. believe it when it actually
happens. From there on out up and down but mostly above 32 . Hope to start fence
posts and planting trees in next two weeks before it thaws too much .
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Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 27, 2015 12:19:46 GMT
On my drive to the farm the car read -28F and it's been pretty accurate, so I guess it dropped a bit more just before sunrise. We'll be missing most of the snow, going to the south of us, but Tuesday they're looking at some snow here and rain South of us. It will be nice to finally start thawing out a bit, but I think we have a way to go before the ground finally thaws. Keep your eye on the weather and let us know when you'd like to come visit! forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?map.x=254&map.y=105&site=dtx&zmx=1&zmy=1 |
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Post by Blessings Farms on Feb 27, 2015 14:46:28 GMT
Planing mid march Hans got mini nubian kids due in next 2 weeks and
with Nancy in Bethesda Ma I have to watch them dont need to loose her
4th generation litter or there will be !!! to pay.
Where is everyone else hibernating
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Post by jamshundred on Feb 27, 2015 21:08:19 GMT
Blessings,
I thought I saw an Oriole this morning and even though it wasn't. . I have been in a good humor all day. I know April is just a month away. Soon, there will be buds on the wisteria, and there will be tulips rising through the dirt to seek the sun. . . and I will be dropping maple helicopters off the desk to watch them spin. . . and I will have to force myself to stay away from the baby chick cages at the farm store. . . and the ducks. . . . and the turkeys. This too shall pass! Soon.
Judy
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2015 22:03:46 GMT
-7 here this morning. A little warmer this next week 2 days a little above freezing. I think when it starts to warm up here it will thaw quick. Hard to believe its only 3 weeks until we start calving. About that same time we start incubating eggs and right now not getting more than 1 egg a week if that.
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Post by wvdexters on Feb 27, 2015 22:17:19 GMT
Trying to Thing Spring here too. I've spent my day starting seeds and planning what and where for the garden this year. I know it's under there somewhere. Ha Ha
My doggone internet has been driving me nuts these past couple weeks. On-Off... Off.... Off...On....On..Off.......... !*%@)!!! As soon as I think we are OK and I can enjoy ..... Again!!! I start reading and try to post then....
Honestly, my son just came through the door and said it is out again. Right now!!! We keep calling and they say they are on it. Even saw a truck earlier. But Again??? Hopefully I can catch it and post this one.
I probably should explain - This area internet comes through the phone lines. We're too far out for the other.
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Post by genebo on Mar 3, 2015 1:53:58 GMT
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 3, 2015 10:11:20 GMT
Well, a while back I mentioned I wasn't worried about the lines through the ground because of the snow cover? I was wrong. We haven't really had any fresh snow lately, and even though they're buried 5-6' underground, at the areas where the snow has been packed by the cows, or more likely where it's packed by the tractor, one of the lines serving one of the waterers froze a couple of days ago. Though it has warmed up some, it will probably take a while to thaw. Hopefully it's not broken or I'll be doing some digging. If it hasn't, I'll be adding some dirt to the areas and building it up. It was just too cold for too long of a period of time.
Gene, your photos are pretty. I hope you have been careful if you've ventured outside.
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You must really love your Dexters!
