Post by JD_4630 on Dec 31, 2015 15:27:14 GMT -5
On December 27th the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the state of WI. Over 2ft of snow, sleet, freezing rain, sleet and 50 mph winds were all possible with this storm.The storm would reach the area Fernwood Farms is located at about Monday afternoon, the farm wasted no time preparing.
Even during the winter the cattle on Fernwood Farms spend most of their time outdoors either in the cowlot, or in a harvested cornfield grazing. The farm wanted to make sure the cattle had a nice, warm, dry, spot in the barn out of the elements, so the farm cleaned out the steer, and calf pens, and made sure to bed everything up with extra straw bales.
It was Ol' Rader's job to heard the cattle out of the field back into the nice, dry cozy barn waiting for them.
With the threat of freezing rain, losing power was very possible. The farm decided to dig out the old pto driven generator from the corner of the shed. It was a tight squeeze for the new holland so the garden tractor had to pull it out.
By Monday evening the storm dumped over 2 ft of snow. It was still kind of chilly and drafty in the barn, and with the threat of the wind coming that evening the farm decided to toss a few extra bales in the pen.
With 50 mph winds it was nearly impossible to clear the drifts out of the drive way.
A neighbor down the road called one of the cell phones at Fernwood Farms. During the freezing rain, and wind a tree branch snapped and fell on some powerlines, right before milking. He was wondering if they could venture out with a tractor and generator, so he could complete his milking chores. It wasn't a problem for Fernwood Farms at all. Neighbores are always there to help each other out, if its to lend a hand during the busy season out in the field, milking cows when away, or loaning a tractor .
The storm passed through, and everyone got dug out by Wednesday afternoon, and things went back to normal.
With the holiday coming up the husband on Fernwood Farms had a couple days off from his welding job in the city. He decided to stop at the local machinery dealer to see if anyone was doing any last second trading before the new year.
Thanks for viewing. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year.
