Well, it's coming. It looks like an actual blizzard is going to barrel in here and wreak havoc.
We haven't had a decent blizzard in a long time.
For the average person, the thoughts of blizzards are mainly annoyance. Cold, windy, stuck in the house, and thought of "I have to run to the store and stock up on food, because I could be stuck here for months".
For us, it's all of the above and more. We are now preparing by pushing the piles of snow back, making room for more. The barn driveway needs to be clear for workers and the milkman to get in. We also have to keep the loading dock plowed out and have a tractor ready to pull the semi into position. Remember, we need to have the milk picked up daily. If the milk truck can't make it we have to dump the milk because the cows get milked three times a day and we only have room for about a day and a half. So, no milkman, no payment.
The driveways into and out of the barns must be kept clear for the tractor and mixer wagon to drive through and feed the BEBs.
We will be paying close attention to the roofs for too much snow build up. We have had a collapse or two in the past.
Water cups are checked to be sure they are still heated and the cattle are drinking.
In this kind of weather we need to especially keep the alleys clean of manure. When the manure gets frozen it is more slippery than normal and the cows have a better chance of slipping. Also, frozen manure on teats, and hooves can cause their own problems.
Then there are the unwise people who think it is cool to get out and be part of the blizzard. They are the ones that get stuck and need to be pulled out. Farmer has taken his time and energy more than once to help someone.
There is always the possibility the electric will go out. So all tractors need to be fueled up and ready to go because you never know when our tractor powered generator will be called into service. Our BEBs have to be milked, we can't forgo milking.
As a common practice here on the farm when bad weather hits, we try to fuel up all vehicles.
When the boys were younger at this time I would be saying "Find something else to do. Quit running around and jumping off things. If you get hurt, I can't get out. We don't need anyone needing stitches now." They would roll their eyes, take off running and knock a lamp off the table.
Walking into the wind while the snot is running down to your chin is no fun. Here on the farm, staying inside by the fire sipping hot cocoa is not an option. We are grateful when we get through the blizzard and there is no frostbite or any milk that had to be dumped.
So, hopefully you will be able to sit by the computer and be warmed by the keyboard and enjoy your day off of work or school. We just want to keep all our fingers and toes.
