ICE

Well, we were supposed to be getting a snowstorm right about now. Instead of that, the storm shifted north some. So, now we are getting an ice storm. I don't like snow too much, dislike mud, but I hate ice. It makes getting around pretty much impossible. Its bad enough you can hardly walk, (everyone is walking around like penguins lol). It doesn't affect our milk cows much since they are in the barn this time of year. Our older heifers have a bedded shed to go in, but they come out to eat and drink water from their waterer. There lot was an icy mess tonight. As hard as it is for us humans to walk on ice, its a lot harder for cattle who can easily slip and break a leg, hip or hurt themselves badly. So we sanded there outside yard really good to give them some traction so they can safely get around.  Then it was on to the next problem the ice was causing. Our tractor that is pulling the tmr (feed mixer) also has trouble getting around on ice. It wont hurt it self like the cattle, but it doesn't move to well on it. To fix this, we put chains on the tires. With these on it can go anywhere again. We only needed to put chains on the back tires so far, but I remember a couple years ago we had chains on the back as well as the front wheels it was so bad.

Finally our cattle were fed and safe. Next issue, us humans were having a hard time walking or staying up-right for that matter. As in most cases, we make sure our animals, our livelihood, are taken care of first. To help us get around, my dad spread sand around the buildings. We switched to sand bedding for the cows a couple years ago, so luckily we have a lot of sand around.

The final problem ice sometimes creates is when the trees and power lines get so much on them, they fall down creating power outages. So far, that has not been the case this time luckily. If the power does go out, our farm has a backup generator we can start. I'm really hoping it doesn't get that bad.