I rolled into work this Easter Monday morning and nearly turned around and went home! We have a large snowbank on the south side of the building that is deeper than when I was here in March. It really isn’t that nice to shovel, since we are also cold, and the snow is quite hard.
My weather station is recording a windchill but yes, I am happy that the sun is shining. I really hope the weather straightens out for all my friends that are just getting going with calving season. Thankfully, we have a barn for the sheep to be in because this weather is just too cool for a little lamb. None have arrived yet, but they will.
I am looking at the calendar, figuring out when we should be vaccinating cattle and, quite frankly, if the weather is good for anything, it might be that. I could likely get the animals in rather easily and the mud isn’t knee-high yet. I could just leave the knee-high session for their booster vaccines.
I think at that time I will insert the RFID bolus. I have them in my possession now, but they are big and I think the calves should be a little older and bigger. I do have to install a type of a reader that will send a signal every half hour provided the calves are within 60 metres (200 ft). They will be for a little while, but that’s not the case once they are out on pasture. I will install it so that it is close to the water source as that is where they end up the most frequently throughout the summer. Stay tuned, I will let you know how it all works out!
We are only a week away from our cattle sale and the weather is causing us some concerns. The recent snowfall, and of course the cooler temperatures, make it difficult for running water and alleyways. It always works out, but usually not without some extra work. Katie has been busy getting cattle consigned and it looks like we are going to have a great sale.
The Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is busy preparing for their Ag Day event this Saturday at the Barwick Hall. They will have a trade show and some great speakers if you are looking for a day out.
I went out for chores this morning to find one of the ewes on her back. I left one outside because I really don’t think she is lambing. I was able to get her back on all fours, but she was quite wobbly when I left. She should be okay. You have a bit more time with a ewe than you do with a cow.
We have lots of seeds coming in these days, so there is lots of packaging to do. I try to get all the protocols, labels and envelopes ready, so once a student starts, they can just dig right into weighing. The lists are long at this time of the year and the days go fast!
