Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[farmerjan]

Temps got all the way up to 67 today, and it was pretty comfortable, considering that it was more clouds than sun. Supposed to only go down into the 50's but then some cooler temps next week. My son said he got all the commercial fertilizer on the hayfields and nearly all the poultry litter spread so that is good with this rain coming.

Testing went okay, they helped get some samples but I probably did 80% of them. Ankle/foot is a little sore, and will probably be more so tomorrow, but nothing like last weekend. I'll bring the samples in the house and pack them tomorrow, I wasn't going to get soaked this eve, when the rain should be ending pretty much in the early/mid morning. There is a preservative "pill" in each bottle that dissolves and it is supposed to keep the milk stable for up to a week. Doesn't last as long in the summer, but for normal times, it is plenty of time to allow the samples to get shipped to the lab without going sour. You have to make sure it is shook up to mix in the sample, I let it dissolve for a few minutes then give it a couple of shakes to mix when I put the sample in the rack. Then when I have to pack them in the shipping boxes, I make sure they are mixed again with a couple of shakes. Have only had a few times over the years when they actually have had problems with being bad upon arrival at the lab.... nearly always in the heat of the summer. I will put the samples on the porch in back that is usually cooler than the outside even in the summer so they don't go bad until shipped. But this time of year, I will often leave them in the truck until morning since it isn't hot out. Plus, the truck doesn't sit out in the sun so it doesn't heat up unless I park it further from the house where the maple tree doesn't shade it. So they will be fine until tomorrow morning and I didn't get wet.
Sure glad I filled the chicken feeder this afternoon before I left and did the waterer too..... It is coming down pretty steady out there now.

 

[farmerjan]

Going to bed and it is raining pretty steady since I got home. I guess we are going to get a fair amount. Looked at the radar and there isn't much on there showing a break anywhere. Just hope the wind doesn't get too bad like they are saying. Really don't want to lose power.
Hope everyone stays safe.

 

[Baymule]

We had a storm yesterday morning, got 2 1/2" of rain. Then beautiful sunny weather for Easter egg hunting for the little grand daughters and a nice family dinner. Yesterday evening, another storm hit, knocking down trees and powerlines. Our neighbors don't have power, we do. Almost 15,000 homes that are serviced by the electric co-op don't have power. Over to the east, there were 2 tornadoes, lots of power lines down. Just called our friends and neighbors, Robert and Sharon, offering coffee. I'll probably make some bacon and eggs if they would like breakfast.

 

[Mini Horses]

Looks like @Mini Horses is going to get some serious stuff too, more into Monday as it leaves this area.....

Yes maam...it's here! It comes in waves....we are under tornado watch and it's not worst I've seen but, lights blinking now & then. Had planned to work but, waiting an hr or so before leaving. Waiting for a break, actually. LOL I'm ready to go and working a store that is close, if I go today. Can move to another day if it works that way. Between last night and now we've had a couple inches & looks like we have a few hours to go. I expect 3-4" by end of it.


Like you, did a lot of "feeder fills" late day yesterday. They say rains will leave and winds stay, late day. Hope so. Don't need this much rain right now. It's warm out.

 

[farmerjan]

Glen Beck had some info on his morning show that is still on the radio right now. Corbitt Wall has had some info about the processing plants closing down due to this C-virus that I had mentioned in a previous post with @Mini Horses . Seems like the SD governor is getting very aggressive about the situation and that as a state they are going to do what is better for their residents since the state has different needs and ways of how to handle some of this compared to say NYC. I am going to get off here and go listen to the daily "feeder flash" that Corbitt Wall does and the lists of the different processing plants that are now being closed. It can mean some possible shortages of beef, and pork, and maybe chicken in the immediate future..... this is going to affect the available of food in general and protein specifically.
The Smithfield plant that I was referring to a few posts ago is now closed with over 230 workers affected by the virus. Not good if there is a shortage of food in the future looming.

 

[Mike CHS]

Shut downs in all fields are already pretty broad. The Tesla plant where the daughter and SIL work in Nevada has furloughed the majority of their workers. They have at least five people known to have the virus.

If food starts to become unavailable that will really fuel folks that are already panicked.

 

[Baymule]

That ain’t sounding too good. People are already stressed. If there is little to no meat they are really going to panic. People in a panic are a whole different herd of animals than the normal civilized herd.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

That is one of my biggest fears,.... if people panic with no money and no food, all our animals will potentially be a target for food...I sure don't want to shoot someone for trying to feed their family at my expense...but I will at least protect my investment in them for myself and family to consume if needed.

 

[Bruce]

It's hard to beat a good rib eye steak. That's the only beef I buy.

And then you chicken fry it!!!

I did not stop to get milk on the way home due to the rain, just wanted to get home and get in before it started to really come down.

I know, laws and all, but it sounds just wrong that someone who was just working at a dairy has to stop for milk on the way home.

I hope everyone is OK down south with the tornados coming down.

 

[Baymule]

@Bruce I don't chicken fry rib eye steak! That would be a hanging offense! This is Texas, the only thing we like better than chicken fried round steak is grilled rib eye steak, medium rare.