Winter Feeding

We had a very mild December and January where I live in southwest Montana--to the point that I was beginning to think that, unlike the rest of the nation, we weren't going to have winter. I mean, when Hawaii gets snow and Montana doesn't, it just seems wrong. Well, winter came last week. We had to bring the cattle in from winter pasture and start feeding in preparation for calving. This morning when we fed it was -27℉ with windchill. Yippee.

The thing about feeding when it's cold, is that you're going to look funny. To prove my point, there's this:

That's me in my below zero feeding gear. I wear a big silk scarf over my head and wrapped around my neck. Over that I wear a balaclava. I don't like breathing through the balaclava, so I wear the fleece face mask my mom made. On my head is the vintage Woolrich shearling wool hat that I scored on eBay--very warm, but yes, a tad silly looking. If it's really cold, I wear  goggles, because otherwise the skin around your eyes and forehead burns.

My feeding partner also looks a little silly. I'm surprised we make it through the morning without laughing at each other.



This morning we had to move a feeder, which involves hooking a chain to the feeder (my job) and lifting it with the tractor bucket to bring it to a new locale.


I also get to open the gates and cut the strings on the bales. Great exercise getting in and out of the tractor.

It was so cold this morning that my knife stuck to my bare hand as I was cutting the strings. I've yet to learn to use the knife with mittens, so I usually just cut fast, then get my hand back into my mitten. We gather the strings because hay strings are evil. Cows ingest them, people trip on them. But they are necessary to keep those bales together.


It's surprisingly warm behind the windbreak where the cattle hang out. They're covered with snow, but they have a lot of hair and fat to keep them warm. 

We dropped straw this morning so that the ladies have something to bed down on. The ladies will have this nicely spread out in about an hour.


We'll start seeing calves in about three weeks, and that's when the fun begins. Hopefully next month I'll have baby pictures!

So long from the ranch,
Jeannie

Comments

  1. Jeannie, I’m going to stop complaining about our winter here in Toronto right now! I can’t imagine getting up early in morning to go through all that and thanks to wonderful pics I don’t have to. Do you keep a journal? Would be fascinating for me, a city-dweller, to read about your life in Montana. Thanks for this snapshot!

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    1. Hi Janice--I know that Toronto gets its fair share of strong weather, so feel free to complain. ;) I do not keep a journal, but I really enjoy blogging about my ranch adventures.

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  2. I think you look wonderful in your get-ups--and warm, which is all that matters. Thanks posting your winter story. Very intriguing!

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    1. Thank you, Virginia. It always startles me when I see my reflection when I'm all geared up.

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  3. Jeannie, you and your cattle look very, very cold. I hope spring comes to Montana and all parts of the U.S. soon. But you probably need the water from the snow runoff, too. Ah, doesn't life get complicated?

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    1. Thank you, Roz. I am looking forward to spring myself. I want to hit the garden stores. That said, in the summer, I long for winter, so that I have fewer (but colder) chores.

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  4. Brrrr! And I thought it was cold where I live.

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    1. It was almost 40 degrees here last week. Winter just came sweeping in.

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  5. Holy cow (okay, pun intended). You both look freezing. This from me, who's sitting in 65 degree Arizona sunshine. My hats off to you. Okay, last bad pun.

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  6. This is one of those things that I enjoy reading about from afar!

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  7. Thank goodness there are people like you and your partner who brave the Montana winter's so the rest of us can enjoy a steak! My dad was a veterinarian in Wisconsin so I understand the animals have to be taken care of. I live in Alabama now and told my husband it's as far north as I ever want to live! Thanks again for keeping the cattle cared for!

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    1. A vet in Wisconsin is no stranger to cold. My goodness. And thank you, for the thank you!

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  8. I'm toasting you with my morning tea. No need for a treadmill when you're out feeding cattle in the cold. Can't wait to see those baby calves.

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    1. No kidding. Walking through the snow is better than a stairmaster. Thank you, Beth!

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  9. 'Write about what you know' is always apparent in your books, Jeannie. You certainly can paint a real picture of setting and seasons.

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  10. Wow! When something sticks to your bare hand, it's just too dang cold!! I love reading about your ranching life and can't wait to see the baby pictures! In the meantime, stay warm!!! (*said with love from sunny Arizona!)

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