[AT] test Now cold and tractor cabs

[Cecil R Bearden]

I was lucky that I did not buy some cattle in November when I was going 
to.   Howqever, they are $25/cwt higher now, and I think I had plenty of 
hay to carry them over.   I could be selling calves in June instead of 
trying to find some.    I only have 2 lesbian longhorns and 1 scared 
angus bull, 60 head of welfare Barbado sheep, 40 or so which are named, 
2 horses that need a new home, but if you leave the gate open they 
eventually come back, 12 Guineas, and 2 cats in the barn who have not 
seen the outside in 3 weeks because of this weather.  It takes me about 
an hour to get everything fed when I do not have to break ice.  If I 
have to break ice  it takes longer.    I bought 3 freeze proof waterers 
but have only one installed because of delays in getting the slabs to 
put them on.  After installing one of them, I found that my rams cannot 
get their heads far enough down into the well in the waterer to get a 
drink.  I still have to use a tank with a heater and drag out a hose.  I 
bought the waterer with 2 wells so I could put in in the fencerow and 
water 2 sides.    Again a problem.  The Longhorns cannot drink as their 
horns will hang in the fence or if I use a steel bulkhead in the 
fenceline, their horns will hit.  I think I would have been better off 
with the one well unit and it would not have as much area exposed to the 
air.  They are called the Lapp energy free waterer.   I used a 10 ft 
long piece of 12 inch pipe underground to bring up the ground heat, and 
had the local pre-cast concrete company pour  some 4 ft round x 6 inch 
slabs with 12 inch holes in the center.  It makes a nice looking 
installation, but no good for sheep with horns, and no good in the fence 
row.

Rural living at its finest!!!!

Cecil in OKla


On 2/8/2014 11:20 PM, Greg Hass wrote:
> Here in Michigan we have had the worst winter in over 40 years. In fact,
> I HATE WINTER.  We have averaged at least 15 degrees below normal since
> mid November. When I planted my last field of wheat they said I could
> plant for 2 more weeks yet. However, after I planted we had only one 60
> degree day and all the rest were 40 or below.  I think most of it came
> up but what did got no fall growth so we will see in the spring if it
> makes it.
> As for weather, I think we have had only one day above freezing in the
> last two months. For three weeks now, night temps have been at or below
> 0 and day time has been between 5 and 20 degrees. The same is forecast
> for the next week or so. I am also getting sick of moving snow at least
> 3 times a week. In fact, I have to go clean again tomorrow. For some
> reason, almost all of our winds have been from the southwest which has
> never happened in my memory. The way my place sits, my yard is protected
> every direction but south so the yard gets blown shut every other night
> as well as I have had to clean the mailbox at least 15 times already
> compared to once or twice in a normal year. My method of cleaning is a
> small skid steer (23 hp twin cylinder Honda engine) with only a back
> window for weather protection. The front is open and the sides are
> expanded metal. I suppose I could cover the sides with pieces of carpet
> but then its hard to see. It's amazing what that little machine can do
> but with all the blowing snow it takes a lot of time. The past two years
> I only have had to clean twice a year and then I could have gotten by
> with once but the machine was out so I tidied up.
> As for heat, I have a corn furnace. The past 5 years have have used
> under 5 ton of corn a year. This year I got 4  1/2 ton and it will be
> gone in 2 more days. I haven't decided whether to get more corn (which
> at this time of year is a huge undertaking or just go with oil heat the
> rest of the winter. I have heard that LP is as high as $5.00 a gallon,
> and a couple of people with guaranteed pricing got a fillup and were
> charged $2.50 a gallon over their contract.
> And finally; winter projects. Every fall we will say; well that's a
> winter project. I'd like to know how, with most nights around 0  or
> below and daytime of around 10 degrees. Plus, for the first time in
> years all my buildings a surrounded by 4 feet of snow. Even in my shop I
> have things in the way that belong in other buildings but I can't get to
> them to get them out of the shop. Yes, as some would say , it could be
> done but I am old enough that I have fought a lot of bad weather and am
> just not willing do do it unless I have to. The only up side to this is
> that I got rid of all livestock about 15 years ago so at least I don't
> have that battle to fight.
>         Greg Hass
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