A hard frost this morning but turning pleasant by the afternoon. While feeding the calves this morning, and having to pitch fork a hay bale that fell apart, I carelessly poked a cow crowding the piled feed, She kicked and knocked the pitchfork out of my hand and set it flying about 10 yards. Never touched me, yet her hoof was within inches of my head. A careless move could have yielded a much worse result. Headed to Helena.
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A wonderful day. Rained all last night, and warm during the day. Too wet to feed and cows moving out to graze as grass opens up-a nice counterpoint to the transition of power in Washington.
Despite warm days, the nights have brought frost, which has slowed the melt. Still more grass showing up each day. I got the fences heated and the new animals stayed put. As I go to bed, there is rain falling.
Warmer yet. Snow is settling fast. Loaded out 120 heifer calves to return to Lusk, Wyoming. Turned the Wyoming bunch out with our steers and I realized I needed to heat things back up. 190 steers and 85 3’s are in SNG 6. Cows are moving through NBW paddocks 9, 10, 14, and 12, until I can get back into splitting following the thaw.
Much warmer into the 40’s. Received 40 steer calves and 85 bred 3’s from Travis. Unloaded in the dark , but it went OK. Rick (Florin) did a great job clearing the snow for the trucks.
Cool SW winds in morning. Rick helped me clean up old straw in hay lot. Cows are starting to head out and graze again. Nice softening skies tonight.
Moderating but still cool enough to move some snow. Judy did a health for heifer calves going to Lusk. Everything looks very good as day ends.
Warm but no melting today, and SW winds moved a little snow. I got to the bulls with feed and broke water, which was my biggest worry. I moved cows into NBW10 and hauled in 10 more straw bale. Flushed a flock of redpolls along north willow creek.
More SW winds and some blowing snow, yet temperatures are rising with some melting and settling of the snow. Barely got to the bulls, but with warming weather I may not need to move them. Pushing straw to the cows, and may ask for help from BJ tomorrow to get ahead of the need. There will be a balancing act between more straw, and the grass starting to open back up.
Cold yet calm with blue skies and sunshine. Some dripping of icicles on the south side of the house. Chilly SW winds picked up in the late afternoon and started blowing snow. Might be tough getting to bulls.
Hoping winds bring the forecasted warmer temperatures. |
Bill Milton
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