Continues To Snow

It seems like every night we get more snow. This morning the wind is blowing hard and more snow is falling. I'm not saying the snow is bad but I am tired of it for now. Give me a few warm days to let things warm up once and I would appreciate it. The wind can go away, I don't need those added complications. I think the cows would appreciate some warmth too. Almost every day they have snow on their backs.<br />n<br />n<center><a href='http://www.sarpysam.net/gallery/Yearlings/snow12042005'><img width='250' height='220' border='0' hspace='5' src='http://www.sarpysam.net/gallery/albums/Yearlings/snow12042005.thumb.jpg' alt='' /></a></center><br />n<br />nTruth be told it doesn't bother them that bad because the snow is light and fluffy enough and they are in good enough shape that it never melts through their hair to make them wet so they don't notice, I just feel a little sorry for them and hope for some warm weather.<br />n<br />nI saw this the other day and had to take a picture of it. You have all heard me talk about the Herd Identification System (HIS) that I think is not going to work. It is based on ear tags the cow is supposed to wear all her life. Well look closely at the calf in front of this picture. (click on the picture for a larger image)<br />n<br />n<center><a href='http://www.sarpysam.net/gallery/Calves/notag12042005?full=1'><img width='250' height='225' border='0' hspace='5' src='http://www.sarpysam.net/gallery/albums/Calves/notag12042005.thumb.jpg' alt='' /></a></center><br />n<br />nOn Oct 24th all these calves were tagged with ear tags like the Government wants for the Herd Identification System. Less than two months later you can see the calf in front has lost it's tag. How is this system supposed to work if they are losing the tags this quick? Short answer, it isn't. This is one of my big problems with the whole HIS. It's impractical.<br />n<br />nYou can also see the snow on the calves back too. I don't feel so sorry for them since they are getting a good shot of hay every day now. I keep threatening to start with the cows but I watch when I cake them and decide they are doing good and there is plenty of grass for them to dig out of the snow saving the hay for later. Why I worry so I'm not sure with all the hay I put up but hay is like money in the bank. Good hedge against hard times.<br />n<br />n<b>The most efficient labor-saving device is still money. Franklin P. Jones</b>