Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[Baymule]

Every time you talk about retirement, you counter with, what would happen to your farmers. Young people don’t want to do the kind of work where they get dirty.

 

[drstratton]

Every time you talk about retirement, you counter with, what would happen to your farmers. Young people don’t want to do the kind of work where they get dirty.

Sad, but true.

 

[farmerjan]

Thurs morning... going to be a B&@#H of a morning...
68 overnight... muggy... some fog... supposed to get warmer and muggier..

It poured down rain at the farm yesterday... just as we got there... half an hour later it had stopped and there was water sitting in puddles everywhere... DS called friend and they said nothing at home...
BUT.... it did rain later on at the house... friend said they had a downpour and they had about 1/2 inch...
Testing went okay... BUT... when doing the computer stuff... I noticed that there didn't seem to be the right number of cows to correlate with all the samples we seemed to take... and when looking at the final list, I kept thinking that we had over 60 samples in the 8000 range... and there were only 50 on the "racking" list (for packing in the boxes).... and they have been calving out a lot of heifers in the 8000 numbers the last month or so.... so I told DS that something was off and that I guess I will figure it out in the morning...

I am about to get the samples in the house and start packing according to the list and see what is what... they told me yesterday that there were some problems with the computer... and the herd mgr there said that he had someone working on the computer ...via the team viewer that they can control the on farm computer remotely...... greatest thing since sliced bread to fix stuff I am way UN-qualified to do... LOVE LOVE the couple of girls in the computer support that I mostly deal with...
ANYWAY.... mgr said it was fixed and he left awhile later.. he mostly milks mornings and works during the whole day... sadly, he does not have the inclination to do the computer work that the guy who retired out a couple months ago.... he was meticulous about things, and this guy just does not see the same attention to detail or take the time/have enough time, to do it the way it should be done...
BUT... there is something not right... so I am going to start packing the samples, and then see what is left over... I think that by fixing the screwups that the guy had done on the computer, they may have also wiped out the calving/fresh dates for a bunch of the recently calving cows... like gone back and restored things to an earlier date... but until I start getting the samples in boxes, I won't know what I have "left over" ... and then go from there...
So, my big project first thing...

BEST THING.... we have over 1 INCH of water in the rain gauges... and plenty in a couple of buckets so I know it is NOT a fluke.... thing is, it all had to have soaked right in.... What a godsend for the hayfield we just cut off... and the pastures had been looking terribly dry.....and our corn was looking pretty stressed since we were not getting the rain that yesterday's farm, and the farms up in that area, had been getting... their corn looks PHENOMENAL some 12 ft tall they were saying....

So, going out to get the samples in the house.....

 

[farmerjan]

LONG DAY... short post... DS called to see if I had gotten any of the heifers in to move... I said no, I was dealing with the milk samples and the things the herd mgr had not gotten in the computer...

So, I quit the samples, went up and managed to get a bunch of them in... I put some grain in the feeders... then went out and drove over to where they were under a tree... not down along the water trough area... called and they came to the barn... I saw Jess (longhorn) and her steer coming, that is going in the freezer in another 6-8 weeks..so I closed the gate to the pen, and they went down along the front of the board fence that is part of the pen..... so I quick went and poured some grain out on the ground on that side of the barn, and then went and opened the gate and a good big bunch came in the lot and went into the barn...

So, I immediately had to go back home (.2 mile) and get my phone that I forgot... called DS and said, okay, I have a bunch in and need help sorting them... so he said oh, ah, okay, I will come up.... If he had given me any grief I would have blown my cork..... so I went back to the barn, and sorted a couple out myself, then he got there... and we put back out the ones we didn't need.... Turns out there were 12 in there, that he loaded up to take to that pasture I had mentioned. Worked out good... of course he got a little short with one cow that does not like to be penned in... and OF COURSE, she is my cow, and he cussed her and said he had never liked her... we go through this all the time... he really hates my dairy cross cows.... BUT.... yes she is a little high headed... and will go through you if you aren't aggressive enough with stopping her.... but she does better when worked quietly.... and he had a bit of an attitude when he got there... and I think she does not like men as much....AAAANNNNNDDDDD... she has already calved with her first calf.... she is one of the 3 that have already calved... so there is not much he can B$#@H about.... She may get better as she gets older... if she acts too stupid, she can be someone else's headache... but I want to keep the heifer she just had if possible... she is NOT on the short list to go anywhere, anytime soon....

I think he was perturbed because I did get them in after he was subtly trying to say, well you didn't go up to get them like we talked about..... and couldn't say that because he had specifically called to see if I had gotten them in...
And on top of that 12 was the maximum number he wanted to haul... said 10 or 11 would be good, if I got them.... and lo and behold, there were exactly 12 in there.... Other than my cow being aggressive and wanting to not be penned in, there was NOTHING he could complain about....

There are 8 more to go if I can get them all in... hopefully one more trip. My twin Holstein heifers are not liking to come in since the beef animals tend to push them around more... and again, he does not like my dairy animals... TOUGH SH!T..... but they might be better this next time since there are 12 fewer to deal with.... I may not push for them to go anywhere... If they stay, I can work on getting them to come in the barn again and get them to be more bucket/grain motivated again... There will only be about 15 total beef heifers there with calves once they all calve... maybe they will learn to come in with Betsy the jersey, once she comes fresh again... One of the ones he took that is his, is a high headed witch too.... glad she is gone from there...
He did say that they were all pretty fat/healthy looking.... Yeah, I'd say so... and they ought to just continue to grow and gain on the grass at that pasture...
This is sure going to take some pressure off the nurse cow pasture... it was getting short with soooo many there... will get down to about 1/3 of what was there 2 weeks ago.... and the inch of rain yesterday will really help it to come back with that lesser amount of pressure on it... so I want to at least get the other 6 beef heifers out of there... if not all 8.

Came back home... got the samples finished packing... there are about 10 extra samples from fresh cows that were not entered in as being fresh yet... and I just put them in the box at the end for them to dump and wash out.... Not going to get excited about the farmer's screw ups.... there were about another 10 in the "sick pen"...that were not entered in the computer also.... the "sick pen" are anything that DOES NOT get milked into the tank... just fresh animals with colostrum; fresh cows that were treated with a dry cow treatment that has to be milked out for 48 hours NOT in the tank in case of antibiotic residual in the udder... any treated cows ..... what are often called "pail cows" or throwaways... In a herd that size, they are milked at the end of the milking herd... the pipeline is taken out of the tank so the milk cannot possibly get into the "regular milk tank".... and here they milk into another smaller tank on "wheels".... and this milk is fed to the calves....many big dairies have something similar to keep the milk for calf feeding.... First milking colostrum is milked directly into a stainless steel milk pail to be fed to a calf directly.... for the benefits of the colostrum antibodies... then the next couple milkings are milked into the collection for the general calf feeding...

So, got the samples packed...got the bottles for this afternoon's herd..... went and dropped off a letter at the P.O., went to town, dropped off the samples at UPS on the way to go test... Got there... we tested, did the computer work, got done, came on home and carried water and feed to the turkeys and the chickens and got them all filled up. Brought the samples in and will get them packed to go out tomorrow.

In the morning, I will take the meters out of the outback that I don't need... never have since I had them calibrated 2 weeks ago since I haven't used any.... and then just have the ones I need for tomorrow... and drop these samples off on the way to test in the afternoon... That one I have to set up 16 meters...
I did schedule the herd for Sat afternoon after all... DS said he wants to take the cattle NEXT Sat to the sale, as they are going to be "busy" this Sat... so I will get the herd done and out of the way...easy enough, so set up, 100 cows.....
Then I have the one for Monday that is samples only.... but is 200 cows, so a long morning... and then another 200 cow herd with meter set up on Tuesday aft....another 16 meter herd... Wed is a trip to his Dr appt and Rural King as I need feed this trip... and theirs is cheaper than our local feed co-ops...
I will see about getting the other 6 in at least... might have to feed in the lot for a day or 2... really thinking I will not send the holsteins so he doesn't have to bi#@h and complain about not being able to get them in out there when the time comes.

Nothing else is getting done tonight except a shower and bed...!!!!!!

 

[farmerjan]

Sat morning. Already 80 at 9 a.m. Only got down to70 last night. Going to be another hot, sticky, humid day.

Tested yesterday, hot in the barn with the fans running... but they are done. Samples ready to be packed... I will do them and today's samples and have them ready to go out on Monday. Actually, I could drop them off since the UPS stores are open on the weekends, although they do not get shipped out until Monday... but a convenience for people that work.

Gotta close door to keep the cooler air in the house.

Need to put bottles in the racks/trays for today's herd. Not going to do alot outside since it is getting hot already.

Back is not happy this morning... Hasn't been terrible bad but let's me know it is still there...

Oh, the getting older aches and pains for "no good reason".

Need to put a gal of tea out to steep. Not feeling motivated, but I need to get something going.

 

[fuzzi]

@farmerjan , I was looking for replacement line for the trimmer, am finding nothing even close to the .125 line that came with it. What are you using?

 

[farmerjan]

@farmerjan , I was looking for replacement line for the trimmer, am finding nothing even close to the .125 line that came with it. What are you using?

Still using what came with it... have 2 or 3 left... Going to go by the Ace hardware and check....I will let you know if I find anything... I was just too tired this evening with the heat after testing to stop and see... But for some reason, I think I remember seeing some .125 line at some store I was in.... somewhere... maybe the co-op here close ???? I will let you know where/IF I find any local...

 

[farmerjan]

It was hot and miserable humid today. Hit 90 but the humidity was rough... You know how you get the days that look and feel like it is going to rain it is so "thick".... well that was today.

Checked the heifers on the way to work, and all is well. It was too hot to even think about trying to get them in, earlier.... Maybe in the morning if it is a little cooler. I did not have the energy to do it...

Got the bottles in the racks and went to work early. Stopped at the Goodwill that I haven't been in lately, but not much interesting. Got to the farm and we just gabbed a few minutes and then they got the cows in and we were milking by 4... done by 6, did computer work and such and I came on home. I did stop at TSC to check on any sales of "end of season" stuff... wanting a smaller chicken coop/run for the langshans... but nothing interesting... got home before dark, and it was thundering.

BUT, looking at the radar, it was/is continuing to break up and skirt around us AGAIN.....
It is soo muggy, you can practically cut it with a knife.

I ate a ham and cheese sandwich and a big glass of ice cold choc milk with ice in it...
Shower is next, wash my hair and be free of dairy barn smell, for 36 hours... to start over early Mon with testing again... I will go to bed early this evening, and get up and see if I can get the heifers in if it is not too hot tomorrow morning... or maybe even in the evening....since he is pushing it soo much. Pretty much decided to keep the holstein heifers here at the nurse cow pasture so I don't have to deal with him and his bytchin about them.

I'm done for the night.

 

[farmerjan]

Sunday was just as hot and humid, I did very little all day. It was too sticky to try to get the cows in.

I did go up there about 12-1pm... checked them and they were down under the trees near the water and then meandered up along the far fence line. I left well enough alone.

I felt pretty washed out from the heat and all the days in a row testing... Didn't do much of anything...

Got bottles for Mon morning farm in the trays, packed the samples from Friday aft test and Sat aft test and put them all in the car.
Filled feeders and waterers for chickens and turkeys...

Left this morning at 4 a.m. Got to the farm, and it went alot better than I expected... still about 4 hours for 190 cows, which is about right in the double 6 parlor.. (6 cows on a side at a time)... but it was not unbearable in the barn. One advantage to being there as they are in the mountains... literally.

Talked to the father/owner... and his wife... they sent me home with 18 ears of sweet corn... REALLY good... super sweet... And yes, I will eat corn raw... not cooked... although it is better cooked... but it is no different than eating raw carrots or broccoli or anything...

Headed home, and stopped and dropped the already packed samples off and went into Walmart since I needed power steering fluid... the outback leaks/uses some...and picked up 2 more hams that were marked down half price... and some provolone cheese also discounted... that I eat... and got a call from a neighbor that the cows across the road from them... nurse cow pasture... were doing alot of mooing/hollering about 10-11 last night... she didn't want to call me, then they stopped... so I said I was on my way home from testing and would go there as soon as I got home...

Got home, stuck what I had to in the freezer, and took ranger and went to pasture.. The cows were all lounging around fairly close to the barn area, and didn't see anything to cause concern. 3 calves there, plus the longhorn's calf... no one looking like they had calved anywhere ... or signs of a born dead calf...
But I decided to see if I could get them in, so put feed in the bunk in the barn, and when Jess came there, she went in the gate... I had barn door shut.... then went out and around the pen so I went quick and put feed out on the ground near the board fence where she comes to eat... and most all the rest went in the barn... Had 1 that I needed that was out...so I took the truck and went around the barn like I was just checking on them, she turned and went back along the back side of the barn... and then in the gate as another one shoved her a bit... I take any/all help I get, even inadvertent help.... So, then I slowly sorted out the ones that I didn't need, and I had texted DS and said that the 6 heifers were in.... tried to call him too... So, finally he texted me back and said he was on on phone with the lawyer, and on hold for some stuff and he would let me know when he was coming up later... I said they would be fine in the barn... I was coming home to work on the samples and such.

One holstein went in one did not, so I let the one back out. They will stay there.

Put some mineral in the outside trough and another block for them to eat for fly supression in the manure... and came on home.

Got the samples sorted out, but called the lab to see if there was any protocol for shipping them... left msg and they have not called back... Called the computer processing center to see if there was anything I needed to know about doing it since I haven't done one in a year,,,, and it is so infrequent, I just don't remember .... they said nothing special... So the samples will go out tomorrow... they are not packed yet as I was waiting to see if there were special instructions...

He finally texted me about 5 said he was headed to get the trailer... seems that he went with her to a dr appt this morning... then they stopped at the stockyards and looked at some of what was there... then finally came on home...
I went and opened the gates, got it ready, he came and backed right up and we got them loaded with no problems... talked a few minutes about prices and stuff, what he saw at that stockyard... then he left and I came on home... He was taking them to the pasture with the 12 that got moved the other day... So things are where they should be for now... except for the ones at the barn that may/may not get sold this week... he did say that he does need to call the guy about the bull and send him while he is looking good and walking good... he just needs to go...

I will put bottles in racks for tomorrow's herd, get the samples packed, and leave earlier tomorrow to go so I can go by Sharp Shopper on the way since it will be Tuesday and they bring bread on Tuesdays, and get a big truck delivery so will check out if there is anything I really want.
Then go to the farm, set up and test their 200 cows...

Today was not quite as hot... 85 but humid... but the temps are cooling into the 68-69 range... decent enough.

Little while ago went to go out to car, and there is a big possum on the porch cleaning up the cat food... so they will get fed early, and the trap set tomorrow evening... don't want to catch the cats, so will feed plenty in the morning so they can eat all day... then they shouldn't want to go in the trap in the evening I hope... Got to get rid of it....

past time for bed...

 

[drstratton]

Sunday was just as hot and humid, I did very little all day. It was too sticky to try to get the cows in.

I did go up there about 12-1pm... checked them and they were down under the trees near the water and then meandered up along the far fence line. I left well enough alone.

I felt pretty washed out from the heat and all the days in a row testing... Didn't do much of anything...

Got bottles for Mon morning farm in the trays, packed the samples from Friday aft test and Sat aft test and put them all in the car.
Filled feeders and waterers for chickens and turkeys...

Left this morning at 4 a.m. Got to the farm, and it went alot better than I expected... still about 4 hours for 190 cows, which is about right in the double 6 parlor.. (6 cows on a side at a time)... but it was not unbearable in the barn. One advantage to being there as they are in the mountains... literally.

Talked to the father/owner... and his wife... they sent me home with 18 ears of sweet corn... REALLY good... super sweet... And yes, I will eat corn raw... not cooked... although it is better cooked... but it is no different than eating raw carrots or broccoli or anything...

Headed home, and stopped and dropped the already packed samples off and went into Walmart since I needed power steering fluid... the outback leaks/uses some...and picked up 2 more hams that were marked down half price... and some provolone cheese also discounted... that I eat... and got a call from a neighbor that the cows across the road from them... nurse cow pasture... were doing alot of mooing/hollering about 10-11 last night... she didn't want to call me, then they stopped... so I said I was on my way home from testing and would go there as soon as I got home...

Got home, stuck what I had to in the freezer, and took ranger and went to pasture.. The cows were all lounging around fairly close to the barn area, and didn't see anything to cause concern. 3 calves there, plus the longhorn's calf... no one looking like they had calved anywhere ... or signs of a born dead calf...
But I decided to see if I could get them in, so put feed in the bunk in the barn, and when Jess came there, she went in the gate... I had barn door shut.... then went out and around the pen so I went quick and put feed out on the ground near the board fence where she comes to eat... and most all the rest went in the barn... Had 1 that I needed that was out...so I took the truck and went around the barn like I was just checking on them, she turned and went back along the back side of the barn... and then in the gate as another one shoved her a bit... I take any/all help I get, even inadvertent help.... So, then I slowly sorted out the ones that I didn't need, and I had texted DS and said that the 6 heifers were in.... tried to call him too... So, finally he texted me back and said he was on on phone with the lawyer, and on hold for some stuff and he would let me know when he was coming up later... I said they would be fine in the barn... I was coming home to work on the samples and such.

One holstein went in one did not, so I let the one back out. They will stay there.

Put some mineral in the outside trough and another block for them to eat for fly supression in the manure... and came on home.

Got the samples sorted out, but called the lab to see if there was any protocol for shipping them... left msg and they have not called back... Called the computer processing center to see if there was anything I needed to know about doing it since I haven't done one in a year,,,, and it is so infrequent, I just don't remember .... they said nothing special... So the samples will go out tomorrow... they are not packed yet as I was waiting to see if there were special instructions...

He finally texted me about 5 said he was headed to get the trailer... seems that he went with her to a dr appt this morning... then they stopped at the stockyards and looked at some of what was there... then finally came on home...
I went and opened the gates, got it ready, he came and backed right up and we got them loaded with no problems... talked a few minutes about prices and stuff, what he saw at that stockyard... then he left and I came on home... He was taking them to the pasture with the 12 that got moved the other day... So things are where they should be for now... except for the ones at the barn that may/may not get sold this week... he did say that he does need to call the guy about the bull and send him while he is looking good and walking good... he just needs to go...

I will put bottles in racks for tomorrow's herd, get the samples packed, and leave earlier tomorrow to go so I can go by Sharp Shopper on the way since it will be Tuesday and they bring bread on Tuesdays, and get a big truck delivery so will check out if there is anything I really want.
Then go to the farm, set up and test their 200 cows...

Today was not quite as hot... 85 but humid... but the temps are cooling into the 68-69 range... decent enough.

Little while ago went to go out to car, and there is a big possum on the porch cleaning up the cat food... so they will get fed early, and the trap set tomorrow evening... don't want to catch the cats, so will feed plenty in the morning so they can eat all day... then they shouldn't want to go in the trap in the evening I hope... Got to get rid of it....

past time for bed...

Enjoy your well deserved rest!