Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[SageHill]

but their cold is a drier cold and for them at 0... which is our 32 it feels relatively warm they say.

yeah - just like our hot is a "dry heat" and not so bad. It's bad - just different.

 

[Mini Horses]

Winter calving in those "minus" locations has got to be dangerous.

 

[Baymule]

Winter calving in those "minus" locations has got to be dangerous.

Popsicle calves.

 

[Baymule]

Coffee is ready. I’m not. It’s 14F and cold. Wet humid cold and wind. Sleet and icy roads, no thank you, I’m hunkered down and staying home. To go outside, I have on my lounging sweatpants and long sleeve baggy Tshirt. Over that I put on a thermal shirt, a fleece shirt, BJ’s heavy sweat hoodie. A knit hat with hoodie pulled up to keep wind off my neck. Then Carhart bib overalls that belonged to my son in high school with way too long legs, so I roll them up. Then a Carhart coat, rubber boots, gloves and I’m ready to go outside. Yeah, go pee before I put all that rigamarole on. No matter how I adjust the straps on the Carhart overalls, the crotch hangs to my knees.
I’m ready for a centerfold picture in the magazine Miss Idiot Farmer.

 

[CLSranch]

@Baymule ... I grew up in New England... and we used to get some real "winter" up there... so even though I am getting a little "more mature"... and don't especially like the cold as much as I used to... it is just "part of it" to get some more clothes on and go do what needs doing...

I never thought I'd spend over $100 on underwear. But I'm wearing them and will for another day or two. I've also got the warm black insulation Carhart's.

Now some of the guys on the CT cattle forum are having -10 to -20 temps..KS., Minn, Michigan, even into Arkansas and MO...... NO THANK YOU.... and the couple up in Canada... BC... showed their truck thermometers that are showing it at -42 C... which is about -40F also... but their cold is a drier cold and for them at 0... which is our 32 it feels relatively warm they say.

-10 in Ok this morning. I can testify that it is a different feel. I've left here at 30 for the lows and went to ND more than once sadly to 0 for the lows and 30 for the high. (I know I've said it before bare with me) I wore everything I had to step out for a minute at home. Step out to smoke in ND, I may not even put a coat on if I'm wearing my hoodie under my shirt.
I've worked in CO in Oct and had ever body complain about the almost 80 degree heat and saying what are we going to do if it doesn't cool off. ND in July at upper 80's same, also LA in winter and heard what if it doesn't warm up at 40 while they wore their best winter clothes. Acclimation

It is the wind that gets to me in the cold... and the da#@ed rain... if it is cold enough to be winter, then by all means please snow.... none of this 35 degrees and rain... too hard on the animals... the cows can take the snow but getting soaked to the skin with rain, is very hard on them in those temps.

Same here and PNW. I'd prefer 28 and snow over rain then ice then mud then ice. A good snow can insulate the cattle, a wet hide will suck the heat right out of them and us.

yeah - just like our hot is a "dry heat" and not so bad. It's bad - just different.

I agree. When I was in south central WA desert area it hit 117 for a few weeks. I don't know how long over 110. I was comfy. Camper a.c on 80 until I got home then it was higher until bed time. I'd fly home to 95 and pour down sweat. I couldn't do anything without at least a half-gallon of water near, after getting used to that "dry heat". Then their winter was the wet season and just like the house. I looked forward to the winter temps until I found out how wet it would be.
Sorry for the take over FJ

 

[Baymule]

We allow thread high jacks!

 

[farmerjan]

Hey, hijacks are A-O-K....

We were down to 22 this morning. All together we had about 4 inches of snow total... It is very light and fluffy, and stings like all get out when the wind is blowing. It was easy to wipe off the car to go up to the calves...
It is party cloudy, some sun peeking out a little... wind has picked up and some gusts... it is cold with the wind out there. It hit 29 on the thermometer... and is dropping a little.
The calf seemed to feel a little better this morning, more "enthusiasm" ... that's good. They all drank good.

I did not go up to get the other calf coats or bottle etc. The wind has been gusty, and the roads are so-so.... The one has the sheep "underblanket" on and seems to be okay and not shivering when I fed so it is not like they don't have some "protection"..... and they are not out in the worst of the wind either so I am not real worried... maybe they have enough protection that a little heavier coat is not necessary... but I want another one just in case. Plus I really want another bottle(s) if I can find the type I like...

I went to the farm to check on the cows since I know DS is going to try to take a little time mid day to feed some... was going to go up the hill and check on them, but a couple of calves came out the gate and I decided that it was not worth trying to get in with the forester, with the possibility of the calves coming out as I have to "hit it to get through the gate" since it is uphill... DS is going to have to feed so he can check them out... The others look okay and he is going to have to feed hay and silage... I opened a gate, to the alley so he can get in to feed some hay and only have to open one gate into the field. There wasn't much I could do there, so came on home.
Got the outback cleaned off of the snow so that I could start it to warm up to go tonight to the cattleman's dinner... Came in and washed the bottles and nipples and the dishes in the sink. Ate a 1/2 sandwich in anticipation of the dinner tonight.
BUT.... it has been cancelled... even though many of the schools around here are closed, courts, you name it, so much is shut down; I called to check and the guy told me that it was a "go" until about an hour ago... the speaker is snowed in down in southwestern VA... they had more snow and it is colder down there and he cannot get here for the dinner/meeting/presentation... So they have put it off for a week... NATURALLY... that is also the night of the DHIA (work) dinner .... one I normally don't go to but since they changed the place to the southern area and it is easy to get to and much closer to me, 40 miles, directly up the interstate... I had thought I would go. BUT... the cattleman's dinner is only about 10 miles south... and easy to get to also... and I will probably go to it because I want to hear the speaker.... .
I had called to check about the dinner because of wanting to make sure I got up to feed the calves and back in time to put on clean clothes and all... now I will just go up around 4:30 and feed and come home and hole up in the house.

Tonight is supposed to be our coldest night... single digits...then a little bit of warming but possible "weather" this Friday/Sat....

Got another mouse on the counter last night... . but it is nothing like last year...
Since I am not going out for dinner I will probably find something that will need some "oven cooking" to help heat up the house a little too.... In fact, I am thinking baking some cookies or brownies to get the oven going. I don't have a chicken thawed out... that would be perfect. Might take one out of the freezer to cook tomorrow. Or a beef roast of some sort...

Just looked and it is down to 24 already at 3 pm.... breezy, so feels colder... BRRRR

 

[farmerjan]

8 pm.... down to 13 so far. Still saying single digits tonight. There is no wind so not so bad. I wasn't cold when I did the calves. I went up to the calves about 5... fed bottles and they were all inside and all ate good.
Came home and go the 2 hens in the crate and closed up for the night... got it covered so there is no wind on them. They came out and ate feed and I had water out for them, and then went through a little snow and went under the truck where there was no snow... Got them in this evening... they do NOT like the snow at all....

Forgot to take a chicken out, for tomorrow.... and didn't know what to eat so I warmed up some of the split pea soup and it was good. Not going to have to worry about canning any of it since I am eating nearly as fast as I make it... Guess I need to get another ham or 2 to cook... I will get tired of it eventually, but enjoying it while I have it.
Need to make a pot or 2 of potato soup and can some of that...

Didn't send this and it is now 9:30 and down to 10.... BRRR

 

[Mini Horses]

FJ sends


Longhorn Jess in center. 2022 heifer daughter J on left. 2023 steer on right. Both have same black Angus sire. Neither had horns.
Taken 1/08/23

 

[Mini Horses]

More sharing from FJ.....

Sorry for the overload. Just looking at pics that are not artic temps!!

Last May raking sorghum-sudan grass for hay.