Time to shut off the snow valve

Okay, I think we can shut off the snow valve anytime now.
I know the towns are having difficulty clearing snow and the snowbanks, but it certainly is a problem when you are living on 160 acres and running out of room, as well!
Since I moved to this place, I’ve never had this much snow. I normally have a decent view of the cattle yard from the house so I can glance out to see if any cow is acting like calving, but I can’t see over the banks this year.
As for the cattle yard, it seems rather small with all the snow pushed up so the cows don’t have to struggle through it every day.
I don’t think we’ll have to worry about our cows venturing off too far from the beaten path to calve since the snow is well up to their bellies.
I see the deer struggling slowly every night to come to the feeder for a few pieces of grain. I decided to feed the ones I have here this winter since I think it’s going to be a darn tough season on them (I know I’ll be complaining again soon about them knocking down the electric fence).
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My altered sleep pattern has started as I’m up checking cows now through the night. I’m sure that things are a week away, but I sure wouldn’t want to get up in the morning and find a frozen calf.
It doesn’t take much time to walk through the smaller yard this year.
“Karma” doesn’t make every trip, but she is making a few so far. That likely will end in the next week.
I brought in a couple of heifers that haven’t been in the barn much—to practise coming in and to warm up the barn. Since Maddie was out on the weekend, we brought “Darma” in, as well, so she could spend a bit of time with her.
Darma will be a momma this year, too. She is so darn quiet and lazy that I sure hope she decides to be a good mama (sometimes the spoiled ones only like themselves!)
Maddie, meanwhile, was busy teaching Marlee how to do chores. Marlee didn’t care too much but enjoyed walking up to the heifers screaming in their face to see what they would do.
Kids certainly make your cattle calmer. I did explain that if she wanted the cattle to like her, she should practise talking quiet to them, but Marlee is a rebel and does what she chooses to do.
We have sensitive Maddie and unsensitive Marlee.
Once we finished our chores, we did some snowmobiling. My boyfriend/partner packed down a good trail around the field so we could tow the sleigh.
Marlee continually was sucking on the string from her hat and I keep telling her that it was going to freeze to her face, or she would have to quit, but she continued to keep it wet. I stopped once to check to see if they were cold and I heard Maddie tell her, “Marlee, if you wanna be a farmer, you have to get that string out of your mouth!”
We worked hard to remind Marlee this weekend about using the potty. Same deal—Maddie wanted you to be proud of her when she chose to use the potty while Marlee can go either way.
She used the potty a few times and we tried to make a big deal of it, but it didn’t seem to faze her too much.
She was having supper with us and all of a sudden I could smell this terrible smell. I asked Marlee, “Did you poop in your pants?” “Nope” she replied, that is Karma.
Needless to say, we quickly returned her to grandma.
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The Rainy River District 4-H annual meeting is scheduled for this Saturday (Feb. 5) at 6 p.m. at the Country Corner Cafe in Stratton.
There is so many things changing in 4-H that I hope our volunteers will all be attending.
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The North West Link arrived last week to my inbox and I was disappointed that our advertisement for our species at risk workshop didn’t make it in the newsletter!
It is scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at the Emo Legion. Lunch will be provided, and we are working on a very significant door prize, as well!
We are really hoping for 50 farms to participate.
If you have any questions about it, please get in touch with me. It is going to be a very worthwhile event!