It seems as though winter had found us and is planning to stick around for a bit. I was planning to leave Lexi at home this morning but she insisted on going for our morning walk but she was very anxious to get in the house when we got back. My toes were really cold but otherwise I bundled up well. I have heated socks so I might have to dig those out for our next walk. Of course, this weather rolls in just when we are getting our ski trails good to go. Sounds like the ski club continues on even in these temperatures.
I was on the road last week, attending the Beef Farmers AGMs in Thunder Bay and Dryden along with our own. The meetings were well attended in Thunder Bay and Dryden but our own was a bit of a disappointment. We have over 200 members in Rainy River and only 35 people took the time to join in. Thank you to the new people who have stepped into some part of the local board; Katie Hay, David Donaldson, Delton Martin, and Kent Martin. It is great that these young people have stepped up and we looked forward to a great 2026. Katie Hay, Bennet Krahn and Murray McDonald will represent Rainy River at the Beef Farmers of Ontario AGM. They have opened up a few seats to attend virtually and Murray will be participating online. It is a trial run but because of travel issues I have joined in online in the past and it worked well.
I between meetings and travel time, I put a few bales of hay out for my cows in the yard close to the barn. They moved themselves home and I sorted off my first calf heifers and boostered their scour bos vaccine Sunday morning. After that was off the list I fed them back in the bush for another couple of weeks. I will get things set up and bring them home for the 1st of February. Calving due date in February 20 but it is nice to have them closer for easier checking. The goats really don’t like the cold weather. I filled up their shelters with a bunch of fluffy straw. They love their grain but if its too cold they don’t come out for that! The ducks don’t seem to mind the cold but I do try to keep more straw in for them as well. I have a small reptile heater and light bulb in their shelter but I have to keep an eye on them as they are able to jump up and pull the little chain to turn them off!
I have a lot of meetings this week and I have a long list of jobs that need to be finished. I guess if the weather is going to be frigid it will be a great time to tackle it. I have some Research Meetings this week as spring planning is well under way. It always seems like we will have a nice break but that seems to happen very fast!
