From the Barns: Big undertaking

It seems winter was cold, brutal and over. I saw a robin this morning, so it must be spring. Even the mud disappeared in just a few days. A few more sunny days and we will be able to get back to pumping manure.

With enough livestock around, there is no lack of employment opportunities. With the improved weather, preg checking and weaning have moved up on our priority list. We need to deliver several pens of fats to the market to make room for the calves we are weaning. Fortunately, the fat market has rebounded somewhat from the post-Christmas market slide and it is making it easier to part with some of the fats that have been piling up.

As winter gives way to spring, the basketball season is winding down, as well. I believe we have visited most of the eating establishments in western Illinois as we have followed our teams for the last couple of months — and, unfortunately, it shows around my waistline. Spring will be different. Track meets do not start so late, so maybe I can avoid temptation and dine at home. Not very likely, but one can hope.

Ian and I drove to Orlando for the cattlemen’s meeting and did a little wrapping up of a few items at our Georgia farm along the way. I always have enjoyed the South Georgia weather in the dead of our Midwestern winter, even if it was to work at the farm. One of my goals while attending the convention was to collect some knowledge about brush and weed control from some of the experts at the trade show. Russian olive, honeysuckle and locust have encroached on our lake banks and in our timbered pastures.

Getting rid of these very aggressive, unwanted plants will be a big undertaking, but as I learned from the company reps, not an impossible one. Matching the right herbicide with the appropriate application method can be successful and we plan to do all we can with the time allowed. I look forward to reporting how this job is progressing.

I once had an older landlord who always said it thaws a little every day in February. So far, that seems to be the case. I just hope it continues.