December 22, 2004

Surviving the Arctic air blast....BRRRRRRRRR

Yesterday and today were about as cold as it gets here in northwestern Vermont. Yesterday the temperature at noon was -15 degrees F. I couldn't believe it! So what did two farmers do when it's that cold in the middle of the day? Karen and I went cross country skiing for an hour, of course. As soon as our dog Yukon saw us getting the skis out, he went nuts. He loves the snow and the romps in the woods. The conditions in the open meadows were great, with the trails through the woods lacking a little in snow cover but still passable. We moved right along so we stayed warm and comfortable. My beard was a big icicle hanging on my face by the time we got back to the house.

Cold weather means a lot of little extra things to do around the barn to keep things operating normally. The tractors need to be plugged in on the way to the barn at 4:30 a.m. so that they will start by 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. No tractors starting, no feeding the animals their hay or scraping out the manure from the barn. The heaters in the milkhouse and milking parlor have to be kept full of fuel and running so the water won't freeze, and so the help won't freeze while milking the cows. And we need to make sure all the windows, pitching holes, doorways, and any other openings are closed and plugged tight to keep out the frigid air.

Last night, around 10 when I went to check things at the barn before turning in, the temperature was 30 below. It was pretty misty out in the freestalls from the exhaled breath of the cows. I gave them another feeding of hay to help bolster their bodies against the cold and told them goodnight. This morning the temperature had risen to 26 below and by the time we were done with morning chores at 9 a.m. it was a balmy 10 below.

Winter Beard.jpg--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont



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Posted by Blogger Chris at December 22, 2004 07:45 PM
Comments

Here in Louisville Kentucky we had about 12 inches of snow/ice with temp of 5degrees. I don't know how you do it with those below zero temps. I grew up in Pa. but have turned into a weenie living in Louisville. Love the blog. Gail

Posted by: Gail McWhorter at December 28, 2004 01:50 PM

I have a question? Are the cows always outside at over 20 below zero? How do they stand it? Doesn't their milk freeze. It's about 68 degrees here in Palm Desert California and most desert rats ( that's a term for us people who live in the desert all the time) are cold. Imagine what they'd do at 5 below! A blessed and Chnrist-filled Christmas to all you hearty folks in Vermont. Bless your family and friends this Christmas season. Emily Bonette and family.

Posted by: Emily Bonette at December 23, 2004 11:42 PM

I love reading your news about the farm and all the animals. Boy, you've got to be very dedicated folks to keep everything running smoothly during the cold Vermont winters. Farming is challenging in and of itself, but having to take care of dairy cows when it's well below zero requires terrific courage. Happy holidays to you, Karen, and the boys--oh yes, and all of the cows and other animals, too!

Posted by: Connie at December 23, 2004 03:47 AM

Hi, Here in balmy Columbia Co,NY we think it's cold at 10 above though it did get down to -1 this past week. Stay warm. Helen

Posted by: Helen at December 23, 2004 03:27 AM

How can you stand that weather? I once lived in Wisconsin, that was too cold for me. I like California. It gets cool here close to the mountains. 57 today, nights about 43. i love your E-mail. thanks for sending it.

Posted by: grace isermann at December 23, 2004 01:24 AM