Monday-We have a hoof trimmer coming tomorrow and Wednesday so besides combining corn we have a "to do" list to make that work also. After feeding and milking the first thing Bruce had to do was return the chopper we rented to chop corn. There is rain in the forecast and returning it allows them to get it tucked into the shed for the winter. Since we moved the cattle out of the pen in the barn already Bruce was able to clean and bed both pens. We always set up the trim chute in the middle pen and leave it there for both days so having the cattle gone makes that easy. Bruce managed to get cleaning done early enough to be able to haul loads when Ed was ready to combine. For the short days they have been able to work so far he and Ed are excited about how much they have gotten done. The harvestore feeds down the center so within 11seconds of running the unloader there was new corn coming out. This is good news since the corn we were feeding is quite likely 2009 crop. The corn was wetter than we have ever harvested and doesn't feed through the holding bin or either mill very well. The unloader takes some off the bottom as it funnels down the center so we will get through the older corn eventually.
Tuesday-The hoof trimmer arrived as planned this morning. Given the fact it was 37 degrees and raining we were glad we could set up inside the barn and not have to cancel. This time Jerred had an extra set of gates which really helped move cattle through. With these gates he had one cow in the trim chute and 2 cows waiting in the "lane". As soon as the cow left the front of the trim chute the cow in the lane would come forward, I am sure with the thought that she would follow the first one out. We knew that the cows didn't need much work done but we also know that we skipped last fall and found bigger problems in spring. For this reason we are still trimming everyone, or at the very least, having their feet examined for any potential problems that may be starting. The moving of cattle went very smoothly today with the exception of one contrary cow. Since they just came off pasture and all know their stalls Bruce moved almost everyone around himself. I say almost because there was one cow that decided she was not going to go in the direction Bruce wanted her to no matter what. After chasing her around a few times I tried to help direct her, and in the process, got spun around and knocked down. The good news is she was heading away so I didn't get stepped on and I managed to bounce instead of break so thats good. While Jerred was trimming we both had some free time to do other projects. I did manage to get all the light covers washed and put up so now the barn is brighter. This time of year we can use all the light we can get since so much of the day is dark and dreary. These lights are actually on a timer so we can extend "daylight" and promote eating. Awhile ago while Bruce was cleaning pens he tested the durability of the door frame by backing into it with the skid steer. The end result was the anchors got broken out of the cement. Bruce removed the frame and proceeded to start the process of replacing that. The door needs replacing also, compliments of the same incident : ) The goats also got fed in between cattle moves.
Wednesday-We woke up this morning to a blizzard. By the time we got to the middle of the afternoon we had gotten easily 5 inches of wet heavy snow that came sideways! Between the house and barn there are areas where the snow is nearly knee high. What a miserable sloppy mess! The road conditions were horrible so Jerred got here late. That worked perfectly fine with us because our morning was running late also. We trimmed the last of the cows and also new heifers. It was unexpected that the cow yesterday was more trouble than any of the new heifers. I spent my "free" time between moving cattle cleaning in the milkhouse. Every fall I try to scrub all the walls and pressure wash the floor along with sorting and cleaning the area where everything collects. I managed to get through most of the most complicated area so I was excited about that. Bruce had to switch tractors so he could haul manure with the 4 wheel drive and proceeded to haul the load from yesterday and then clean the barn again today. One of these days it will be too cold to let a load sit but for now it is a handy option. With the miserable weather, Bruce had mentioned at breakfast that as soon as we were done he had to move heifers since their pasture was burried in snow. Just as the very last cow was being trimmed the heifers showed up on the yard, evidently tired of waiting. Mike was thrilled to have something to do and Bruce enjoyed having the opportunity to show someone what Mike is capable of since Jerred was here. Mike brought the cattle around the barn and then Bruce had him put them in the steer holding pen. Tonight they are able to go in and out of the barn and have food and water inside. As soon as the snow melts they can go back to pasture since there is another week of feed out there for them if the weather cooperates.
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