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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 18, 2016 18:51:46 GMT
Wind chill factor is -25 at noon and tonight as low as -40 . Watched the animals at lunch and
they ran to the hay , water . and feed and then ran back to the barn . I guess they dont like this
weather . When I went to barn to check things they all had there straw nest and cudled up . |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 19:51:53 GMT
just got back in from thawing out the valve on the water. hair dryer and a lot of extension cord. It is a geothermal water but I am well below the minimum head number on it only 7 head on that one but that is how the breeding groups work out. I have 21 head on the other one which is still below the minimum but no problems on that one. I will probably move a couple of steers into the small group to help out.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 18, 2016 21:08:26 GMT
I've heard the East Coast may get hit pretty hard at the end of the week.
Yesterday Sheril and I had a delivery of a little bull calf (the micro Dexter/Mini Hereford cross) to a family that lives just North of Buffalo. I didn't want to drive my Pathfinder, so we rented a little compact car for $33.00 and put the little guy in a bin in the hatch and set off early morning to meet them at Shaun and Mike's farm so we could visit. It was snowing as we left, but not too bad, and we hit a bad patch around Erie, PA. We got to Shaun's and started on the tour, then the new owners showed up and we got them situated and they got on their way. By that time it was snowing pretty hard, but we didn't want to interrupt our visit and had more to see (LOTS more). Eventually it got dark, and it was snowing pretty hard, so we had to go, but we'll be back at a later date!) By then I was wishing I had brought the Pathfinder, though the biggest problem was visibility. I will say when I was putting gas in the thing I was happy that I rented it...I could barely get 10 gallons in it, and my total fuel bill was around $50 round trip! Leaving the farm, it was kinda hard to tell where their drive was and I was afraid I was going to drive through a hi-tensile fence and end up in the middle of the pasture with their bull Fintan...lol. But we finally found our way to the road, and worked our way home without incident, making in down and up the hill that is between them and the Thruway. I think we pulled in around 2 AM. Snowing like crazy or not, I'd do it all again.
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Post by wvdexters on Jan 18, 2016 23:02:14 GMT
Geesh it is cold. The wind goes right through you.
The one good thing is the ground is good and frozen now. We've been having alot of trouble with it being so slippery. The surface has been thawing just enough especially on the hills, so when you take a step you can go flying. No fun.
We're expecting 12-18" Fri. The bale on the hill will be done tomorrow so we're going to move them down to the flat area with cover.
Calves should start coming in a few wks. Would've preferred Mar/Apr but Macklynn got everything figured out pretty young. lol We have the new barn cleaned out and waiting for the new arrivals. We'll bring them up to the yard when they get a little closer. We have the girls' due dates circled.
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Post by genebo on Jan 19, 2016 0:34:13 GMT
I believe that hay in their bellies keeps them warm, so I put out extra for them last night and tonight.
The ground here was frozen this morning. I'd had to put off going to get Dunder because the pastures there were so muddy. They were frozen this morning, too, but thawed by noon, so we put it off again.
It's supposed to be a lot colder tomorrow and Wednesday, so maybe we'll get him. I hope so. Eve is waiting.
My bride told me to hurry it up tonight when we were putting up the poultry. She is normally warm-blooded, but the wind was cutting through her clothes.
It's good to be cosy in the house right now. I hope that every one of you is able to stay warm and your stock makes it through this cold period.
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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 19, 2016 11:08:30 GMT
Have a safe trip Gene .
Lakeport I would love to see Shauns farm with about 3 - 5 inches of snow
it would be lovely . I would want 4 well drive to get home . The road to her
home on the high farm would be tricky .
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 19, 2016 14:23:31 GMT
Dave it's definitely a pretty steep hill, but we didn't have any trouble even in the little Nissan Versa we had rented. Now, with a foot or two of snow I would have needed the 4 wheel drive and the ground clearance for sure! We didn't spend nearly enough time there...So many Dexters to see and so much to talk about. We met Mike working in his wood shop. I walked in and the first thing I said was "THIS is a wood shop". Sheril's dad has a pretty well equipped one as well, but it's taken a back seat to his car/machine shop over the years. As you know I have a pretty nice shop as well, but it just doesn't feel cozy like theirs.
Sheril and I really liked Fintan and Ferdinand. Very short in leg for a non-carrier bull and a nice Dexter face. We looked at her young bulls to see if we could spot a possible carries red out of Ferdinand. We'll have a lot to think about over the next couple of months. I'd like to pry a couple of her short legged cows out of her too.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2016 15:24:37 GMT
hans, did you tell the rental company you were going to be hauling cattle in the car  . |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 19, 2016 16:03:38 GMT
Nope...lol. He did fit in a bin he was so tiny, so there really wasn't any serious danger of making a mess, but since they made me such a good deal on the car ($33 for unlimited mileage and I had it from Saturday noon to about 2 AM Monday when I dropped it off) I got the insurance, because I know they make an added commission on it. I'm not sure if that would be covered though The new owners brought a pickup truck with the husband, wife, and their two daughters. He rode on the wife's lap wrapped in a blanket two or so hours back to their house, then they got out of the truck, he pooped and peed, and followed them like a dog, climbed the stairs and into their house. She posted a photo of him in their house snuggled in a blanket. He'll have a pretty pampered life. |
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Post by jamshundred on Jan 19, 2016 18:26:20 GMT
It IS cold, and my animals are huddled in the hay they are wasting or standing by the outbuildings in the sun hunched up and obviously not loving the cold and the colder windy gusts. The wood stove is warming, the electric heaters are warming and my feet are still cold! Dire predictions of snow late in the week and maybe a couple feet of it. Who cares? It can only be a temporary inconvenience for ground hog day is just around the corner, the cherry blossoms will be profuse on Capital Hill in just a couple months, and then we can start complaining about too much rain or heat again! Laughing. This is the time of year when I start anticipating spring. Seed catalogs are already arriving in the mail and I know there are many out there who have pencil and paper in hand laying out the garden for this year.
The down side IS. . . . how fast the days and months and years are passing. I wake up on Monday morning and before I barely blink an eye I lie down to sleep and it is Sunday night again. The pages on my calendar are like those of a book in front of a strong fan. . . . fanning past me.
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Post by jamshundred on Jan 19, 2016 18:27:26 GMT
Hans,
That was a cute little calf!
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 19, 2016 21:01:37 GMT
The nice thing about our time is that we can be well prepared (most of the time) for snowstorms such as the one they're predicting for you later this week. Hay can be loaded, shelters can be adjusted and wood can be stacked close and ready to load. Well, except for me...I never seem to have the time to get all that done. The last few years I've been collecting or cutting wood that's buried under 3 feet of snow in below zero weather  I tell Sheril we MUST thin the herd a little bit. I'd like to thin our non-carriers by a dozen or more, and I'm even ready to start to part with some shorties here and there. |
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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 19, 2016 23:23:15 GMT
Judy it seems both Shaun and you are to be effected by a lot of snow . And
yes the time sure does pass quick to seems like yesterday that 60 seemed so
old .
Hans I can't believe you haul a calf in a rental ! Someday maybe farms is
so beautiful I wish I had the camera when we were there but we did get some
great Dexters . Should have 4 calves this coming year from them 3 from my
bull and one from Breen .
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Post by genebo on Jan 20, 2016 0:58:15 GMT
Today I encountered an 80 year old man at Southern States who called me a kid. Humph!
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Post by jamshundred on Jan 20, 2016 1:55:56 GMT
Humph . . . . . . huh! You know you were lovin' it. Men ain't that different from women when it comes to age. LOL
I have during the last year become hooked on BBC shows. I love the British accent and Maggie Smith. I was watching a movie over the weekend with her and loving those wrinkles! I see so many of the older women in Hollywood who are caricatures from repeated facial surgeries to keep looking young rather than embracing those wrinkles of experience and wisdom.
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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 20, 2016 10:38:07 GMT
The company I am going to work for mid. Feb. is Hoge Lumber Co. It is 3/4 owned by the
Grandson of the origanial Hoge who is 84 years old and works there every day .
During my 3 hr. interview with him we discussed all aspects and found we had alot in
common including we are both industrial enginers untill I stated I want to make sure
I have aleast 10 to 15 years with them he then asked me how old I was and I told him 61
and he said " sonny you have 20 to 25 years left " . When I got home I told Nancy that
maybe I dont whant this job if I have to work to 80 . She had the nerve to say
" I am so proud of you that someone still wants you " Boy a guy just cant win !
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 20, 2016 14:25:02 GMT
Good for you Dave! It will be an adjustment, however I'm sure you won't mind being able to sleep better at night without having to worry about so many things.
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Post by genebo on Jan 20, 2016 15:37:56 GMT
The best thing about having a regular job is having a quitting time. All the time after that is called "spare time".
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2016 15:57:03 GMT
"spare time" whats that? when I get off work it is time to do farm work.
walked outside this morning and thought its warm out here today. then I looked at the temp it was 5. Guess I am getting use to it.
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Post by lonecowhand on Jan 20, 2016 17:58:58 GMT
Congratulations , Dave! Glad for you and your bride. I was hesitant to ask whether or not they hired you. It is also great that they obviously feel that a Mature Person is an experienced asset , unlike the corporate standard these days. ( Thats what you are now, Dave!) Now you can relax, take a deep breath and get back to work! lol
Gene, I guess it's all in the perspective!
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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 20, 2016 21:14:18 GMT
Thanks . We are still negotiating on my buisness but looks favorable . Normal hrs. are
4 days 10 hrs. BUT I will have 12 -15 cabinet shop , 2 tool room , and 2 maint. under me
and I already know both tool and maint. are overloaded . Those areas take care of entire
buisness .
The company is Hoge Lumber they ship world wide and have made hard wood maple floors for
past Olypics .
My list here on just our 5 acres and the hay can take 120 hrs a week if I want so other than
not woring about employees and all the tax hounds it should be a joy.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 21, 2016 11:16:21 GMT
I've been listening to the radio...OMG it's going to be historic for those of you in the mid-Atlantic states, there's still time for me to come down and evacuate your Dexters back to my farm (permanently) I guess there's room for you as well so I could teach you all how to handle a little bit of snow and cold....lol |
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Post by genebo on Jan 21, 2016 21:58:05 GMT
Thanks for the offer, but I doubt I could handle the transition.
Today our new freezer was cold enough so we transferred everything from the old one. My hands got so cold and stiff!
I came in and stood by the fire until I got back to normal (warm).
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Post by genebo on Jan 21, 2016 22:01:55 GMT
Hey, Gale!
Are you and Robert ready for the storm? I see where they are forecasting that you will be the hardest hit in our area.
I have a 6500 watt gasoline generator I'm not using. Starts every time and runs well. I only use it during haying season to operate the hay elevator into the barn loft.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 21, 2016 22:45:24 GMT
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Post by wvdexters on Jan 21, 2016 23:26:28 GMT
Well they keep upping the expected totals. LOL Should be interesting. I'm concerned about you all in the areas expecting the blizzard conditions. Please take care and try to stay out of it as much as you can.
Hopefully the power outages won't be too bad, or too long this time.
I am so happy for you Dave.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 22, 2016 11:48:39 GMT
Ok, I've been teasing some of you down on the East Coast, but seriously...be safe in the storm. I know it's going to be a heavy wet snow, and that is a lot different than our light fluffy lake effect that usually doesn't cause any power outages and such. To be honest I'm a bit jealous, since I can't recall since I was a kid having a crippling snowstorm that shuts everything down for a few days. One of the few things around here the government seems to have improved and does with with any competency nowadays is clear the snow, and there are a lot more 4 wheel drive vehicles on the roads now to handle all but the most severe.
Anyway, at least it's warm around there and give it a couple of weeks and it will all be gone!
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Post by rilie on Jan 22, 2016 14:26:33 GMT
Well, we're surrendering to Mother Nature and pulling out round bales of hay for the first time this year in anticipation of this storm. Look like we're supposed to be right in the eye of it. The snow isn't really a problem for us, my wife and I both grew up in upstate NY. I'm sure the cows will handle it like troopers, it's our newborn dwarf goats we need to watch, had twins on Wednesday.
Good luck to all my fellow mid-Atlantic dwellers!
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Post by Blessings Farms on Jan 22, 2016 14:46:17 GMT
Rilie we are expecting 5 mini nubian does with in the next week and know
what you mean . Our problem is the cold now .
Good luck you guys on the east and be prepared.
We actually dont mind haveing the pease of a crippling stom once and awhile
although most are from tornado activity .
Our family comes to our house before and
we prepare things and then play as they say old timer games on boards or
cards by lantern with no interuptions . To Namcy and I that is realy living.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2016 14:50:17 GMT
really cute picture Rilie but I have no desire to have baby critters this time of year.
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.
I tell Sheril we MUST thin the herd a little bit. I'd like to thin our non-carriers by a dozen or more, and I'm even ready to start to part with some shorties here and there.
