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Nice and calm on the morning of the 16th. Then conditions turned to snow again and cooling. Ray and oil field workers all got stuck and stranded together on Friday evening, and the county came out to pull them free. We are still keeping feed, mineral, and water in front if cows. Feeding grounds is now just south of the house. Nine sharptail grouse have been hanging with the cows all week.
Morning began with NE winds and drifting snow. County crew plowed roads open to ranch and 3’s by mid-morning. Ryan delivered two days of feed to 3’s. I hiked into bull pasture and walked 10 bulls out. There are still 3 more to find. I will try to get them tomorrow. The bulls are in ok shape, but it was good to get them out, as we no longer can access the pasture with feed. One bull was found dead in the shed-not sure the cause.
County roads drift shut. Wind weakens and just quits by late afternoon. Evening is soft and wet-will the winter finally loosen its grip.
Two weeks left of straw. Strong SW winds bring warming temperatures and drifting. By afternoon, cows move out to graze. MWC meeting is most of day.
More snow and more wind and drifting. No moves and full feed straw. Unprecedented number of days of providing supplemental feed for both cow groups. Had to follow the county plow in order to get off the ranch and to the airport. Four days in Palm Springs to honor Ray Corliss and family-a taste of warmer temperatures with friendship.
Warmer and softer and even some sunshine, but more snow in the forecast. Same program of feeding. Cow feed day.
Wind last night started the drifting process. Snow will keep moving with prevailing winds until temperatures warm above freezing. All groups will stay put on full feed straw.
Let’s call today, waking up to the “Big Snow”- well over a foot last night. Ryan has all four tires chained up on the feed truck in order to get around pushing more straw to both groups. This is ridiculous, but real. When, if ever, it finally melts, and it will, my goodness there will be water everywhere.
High 16 degrees (-10 wind chill) So, maybe four to five inches of new snow, but with the wind, who knows. Despite it all, we pour the straw to the animals, and they continue mostly to hold their condition.
High 19 degrees |
Bill Milton
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Milton Ranch LLC | Daily Ranch Journal |