With an upcoming cold spell coming we are trying to get things ready for ourselves and the cows. While it won't be as bad as last year's Polar Vortex, it still isn't anything we are looking forward to.
One of our biggest concerns is that the silo unloaders and the conveyors might freeze. We've purchased some large, high quality hay bales and have them ready to feed in case that happens.
While we do keep our baby calves in the calf barn they will appreciate more straw bedding when the temp's drop. We may also feed them more milk to keep their energy levels up.
Of course the cows are not the only creatures on the farm that need to stay warm. Don't forget the farmers! This week we purchased a new forced air heater to put in the dairy barn to keep us warm while milking and to thaw out any frozen pipes.
Unfortunately this means we'll be replacing our old one that plays the first note of the Star Wars theme when it comes on. Don't believe me? Give it a listen.
I am very thankful that we finally made it above freezing today and practically over 50 degrees. Let me tell you, I am done with the cold. This is the kind of thing I've been dealing with:
Frozen Ice In The Cows' Water Tank
We just finished our second round of cold weather. While other farmers may deal with daily highs in the 20's regularly, we don't in the south east. We have busted ice for the cows and calves to drink. We have carried hot water to pour on frozen pipes to try and thaw them. We have just plain carried water so they could drink. Let me be truthful diary, I never knew calves could drink so many bucketfuls of water in order to get their fill until I started carrying it.
Round three of cold weather is in the forecast for tomorrow. Lets hope this is the last one for at least a little while. In the meantime I'll keep my coveralls out and my gloves on the heater vent.
While we are not enduring anything near what those up North are going through, an Arctic blast is sending cold weather our way. Yesterday and today have been a nice respite from the freezing temperatures we have been working through, but it isn't going to last. Rain turning to snow tonight while not in high accumulation is going to cause many problems since the temperature is supposed to be around twenty for the highs and close to zero one night.
What is there to look forward to when weather comes like that? There's only one answer: hot chocolate.
5 cups Milk ½ cup Hershey’s Cocoa ½ cup sugar 1 cup hot water
Directions
Combine cocoa, sugar and hot water in large pan. Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Transfer mixture to crock pot and add milk. Stir, then cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours, until hot. Pour into mugs, then top with whipped cream and enjoy!
