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Weathering out the April storm

B

Bar M

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2012
Messages
156
Location
South Central North Dakota
Yesterday most of our snow was gone.... Today is a different story! The storm hit around 4am when Bar M went out to check it was snowing and the wind was blowing. Thankfully a heifer had just calved not long before and so he brought the calf up to the barn. I delivered a drench bottle to the barn and he put the calf in the warming box not having the highest hopes of survival, but she pulled through! Thankfully we were prepared for this storm. Yesterday Bar M and ND Farmer spent the day battening down the hatches getting wind break and calf shelters set up and ready. So far the 4-wheelers have been getting around alright, but with more snow that will become much more difficult. Bar M and ND Farmer spent the day outside battling the snow and getting babies and mamas up to the barn. Now Bar M is taking a nap before he goes out again and has to sustain the night shift! I am thankful that Baby Bar M isn't due to arrive for a few more weeks as the hospital is an hour and a half away and I am hoping the weather is much better by then! I hope everyone that is enduring any bad weather or even calving in good weather is having good luck!!
Mrs. Bar M


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Yesterday...
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Bringing the later group of cows closer in preparation for the storm. There have been a few early babies from this bunch.
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Little Miss Bar M watching Daddy and G'pa bring her cows in!
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This morning at 7:30am
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Little Miss Bar M in her pj's helping deliver a drench bottle to Daddy!
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...calving is hard work...
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Today at Noon
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Today at 6:30pm the wind finally died down
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Today at 8:30pm the wind picked up again...
 
Nice pictures. Sorry about the weather, but its moisture. That's what we are telling ourselves.
 
LazyWP said:
Nice pictures. Sorry about the weather, but its moisture. That's what we are telling ourselves.
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Yes the moisture is needed and welcome! No complaints as we do live in ND, so we have to be ready for spring storms and know it could always be worse! At least we aren't battling hurricanes or tornadoes!

gcreekrch said:
Thank you for keeping us "in the know" Mrs -M. Hope all the storm costs is effort and sleep.
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Agreed... hoping effort and sleep are all that's lost! I'm keeping the coffee brewing for Bar M to try and help compensate for the lack of sleep!!

Soapweed said:
Looks like you are as well prepared as possible, with plenty of shelter and feed. Hope you weather out the storm with no problems. You have a cute daughter. Thanks for the pictures.
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We are hoping to weather the storm with minimal issues! The snow has really picked up again tonight... we have about a foot already. Thanks we are very blessed with Little Miss Bar M! She has a wonderful personality, is a joy to be around and I am so glad that we get to raise our family in this lifestyle! There is nothing better in my opinion!!

Mrs. Bar M
 
It is time to send this cold weather to the southern hemisphere and bring back some warm weather. Last year spring arrived early and this year winter hates to loose its cold damp grip. All the ranchers fighting the spring storms you have my prayers.
 
Sounds like what went on here last week. Cows are where they need to be now, and starting to calve a little early.

Hiefers are well into it. Going pretty well, except for the lack of sleep for the 'hiefer crew'. Did get some moved out over the week-end, so less congestion at the barn and lots.

Hope your snow is like the 14 to 16", maybe more in places, we got. It seemed to start melting soon as it fell. The ground was warm enough it seemed like the snow was shrinking down from the start. Lots of open ground by Saturday, and little left here. Very little run-off, it seems. We really needed some deep moisture to get the grass well set to grow, and it is greening up faster than seems possible, on bottom land.

Everyone stay safe. You are more important than the cows, even if that is sometimes hard to believe.

mrj
 
Suppose a foot or better hard to tell when it comes sideways. And yes the moisture is nice just made a mess in the process.

And another little side not for everyone it is easy to lose ones temper in events like this, but just remember to say your sorrys and don't forget to say thank you to who ever is helping you. I know that I would be sunk without the help of my dad.
 
Why do you suppose those of us raising cattle 'forget' that working with animals (unpredictable) which may or may not pay their way in the end (not totally predictable), in weather which may produce freezing snow, wind, mud, stiffling heat, drought, dust, and worse! (and virtually all are possible within most any two consecutive seasons of the year!) working with multiple generations (currently three on this ranch, ages 20's through 70's) while coping with government over-regulation, taxation, and more hassles!; should be without familial friction???? That didn't even count mechanized equipment and even the horses all of which can have frustrating, even dangerous 'problems' when we least expect it.

It is a wonder most of us do as well as we do! And no wonder many of us have strong faith. How could we do it, without that?
 
mrj said:
Why do you suppose those of us raising cattle 'forget' that working with animals (unpredictable) which may or may not pay their way in the end (not totally predictable), in weather which may produce freezing snow, wind, mud, stiffling heat, drought, dust, and worse! (and virtually all are possible within most any two consecutive seasons of the year!) working with multiple generations (currently three on this ranch, ages 20's through 70's) while coping with government over-regulation, taxation, and more hassles!; should be without familial friction???? That didn't even count mechanized equipment and even the horses all of which can have frustrating, even dangerous 'problems' when we least expect it.

It is a wonder most of us do as well as we do! And no wonder many of us have strong faith. How could we do it, without that?
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These things are all true that you stated. It was ment to be a friendly reminder to everyone to remember that we are all working for the same cause.
 
mrj said:
Why do you suppose those of us raising cattle 'forget' that working with animals (unpredictable) which may or may not pay their way in the end (not totally predictable), in weather which may produce freezing snow, wind, mud, stiffling heat, drought, dust, and worse! (and virtually all are possible within most any two consecutive seasons of the year!) working with multiple generations (currently three on this ranch, ages 20's through 70's) while coping with government over-regulation, taxation, and more hassles!; should be without familial friction???? That didn't even count mechanized equipment and even the horses all of which can have frustrating, even dangerous 'problems' when we least expect it.

It is a wonder most of us do as well as we do! And no wonder many of us have strong faith. How could we do it, without that?
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Are you having a bad day MRJ? I know exactly what Bar M was saying,obviously you have never had to work by yourself and have always had someone there to help.
 
bverellen said:
In he fourth picture, what is the structure going over the fence? Best I could figure was a bridge for a 4 wheeler.

bart.
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Sure is I decided to build it after falling on my butt after slipping in the mud opening a gate (That was 7 years ago) now since change practices and calving in different locations i can tell its time to build a couple more. Once the snow melts off will take a few pics.
 

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