It is +36F with a 7 MPH wind out of the north and freezing rain and sleet.
I had already turned out the 4 cows with new calves into a south pasture with woods but no buildings - - - talk about spoiled, instead of taking their calves into the woods they were all standing at the gate ( on top of the hill ) this morning so I let them out to the west lot and divided the loafing shed so they could get into the west side. I put 2 cows that I was sure would calve over night last night into the center section and the others get the east end.
All can go out but they are all smart enough that they are content to let what little sun we have shine in thru the south ( open ) side and chew their cuds. I guess it is good to only have 18 head on days like today!
Last year we ran about +20F above normal and so far this year we have run about -15F below normal - - - we have only had 3 snows to amount to anything and each was followed by +50F and rain so the snow has not been a problem and mud is not too bad as the ground has not frozen so the rain can soak in.
We are supposed to get down to +14F Thursday night so I hope I can finish bush hogging the swamp - - - never got to last year and the multi flora roses have tried to take over. I feel they will cut my carrying capacity in half if I don't control them. I tried walking and using a backpack sprayer but I kept getting stuck and gave up. I do not turn cows in there with calves until they are at least 3 months old as the calves will get stuck - - - then you have a mad momma cow who can't understand why you are trying to man handle her calf. After they get about 3 months old they can handle the swamp and it is amazing how many cows can stay fat on just a few acres of black swamp ground!
With the weird weather we had last year my main hay field only got mowed once - - - normally 3 to 5 times a year. I am amazed at the number of Osage Orange ( hedge apple ) trees that are about 3 feet tall! If I can stay on top of well maintained practices this is very productive ground but let your guard down and the trees and rose bushes would take over. If I plant corn 2 years in a row the second year Osage Orange and Black Locus trees will be 6' tall at harvest! Then they play havoc with the grain table when we go back to soybeans.
I had already turned out the 4 cows with new calves into a south pasture with woods but no buildings - - - talk about spoiled, instead of taking their calves into the woods they were all standing at the gate ( on top of the hill ) this morning so I let them out to the west lot and divided the loafing shed so they could get into the west side. I put 2 cows that I was sure would calve over night last night into the center section and the others get the east end.
All can go out but they are all smart enough that they are content to let what little sun we have shine in thru the south ( open ) side and chew their cuds. I guess it is good to only have 18 head on days like today!
Last year we ran about +20F above normal and so far this year we have run about -15F below normal - - - we have only had 3 snows to amount to anything and each was followed by +50F and rain so the snow has not been a problem and mud is not too bad as the ground has not frozen so the rain can soak in.
We are supposed to get down to +14F Thursday night so I hope I can finish bush hogging the swamp - - - never got to last year and the multi flora roses have tried to take over. I feel they will cut my carrying capacity in half if I don't control them. I tried walking and using a backpack sprayer but I kept getting stuck and gave up. I do not turn cows in there with calves until they are at least 3 months old as the calves will get stuck - - - then you have a mad momma cow who can't understand why you are trying to man handle her calf. After they get about 3 months old they can handle the swamp and it is amazing how many cows can stay fat on just a few acres of black swamp ground!
With the weird weather we had last year my main hay field only got mowed once - - - normally 3 to 5 times a year. I am amazed at the number of Osage Orange ( hedge apple ) trees that are about 3 feet tall! If I can stay on top of well maintained practices this is very productive ground but let your guard down and the trees and rose bushes would take over. If I plant corn 2 years in a row the second year Osage Orange and Black Locus trees will be 6' tall at harvest! Then they play havoc with the grain table when we go back to soybeans.