We also freeze milk for when we dry out the girls prior to calving. We separate cream from milk, since cream is the part that doesn't freeze reliably - then we just thaw 3-4 gallons each week in the refrigerator to get us through until calving. The cream is made in to french-style butter, and then frozen. Yogurt can also be frozen and thawed to get us through the dry periods.
This past week has been one of the coldest on record in Utah - we dropped down to negative teens this past weekend. The cold isn't as bad as the sustained cold. It's rough for us and for our animals when it stays cold for long periods. Feed has to be increased, to sustain body temperatures as well as grow babies - it is taking us twice as much hay to make it through this month.
Our little Mini Jersey bull had the right idea this morning - while I was out and about in the wee hours feeding while my dry hair literally froze, he was enjoying a couple extra hours laying inside the barn in warm, dry, snow-free straw.
This weekend was spent doing hours and hours of glazing. There are lots of little things for the kilns this go-around.
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Are you having record cold this year? If so, how are you coping?
14 comments:
Here in southern New England we are enjoying a January thaw. We've had temps in the 40's and low 50's for the last few days. But....Winter is coming.
I've been looking in on your blog for many months. I think I found you through Meredith at Whynot.
um, record warm in northern NY yesterday, 60 and all the snow disappeared....which is a wonderful miracle :)
it was......66 here today.....I know,just wrong. winter is returning tomorrow.. I was wondering about the eggs. and stay warm.
Thanks for the egg explanation. Just up the road from Meredith, so 60's here today. I can't imagine minus teens!
Here in Texas its been a bit weird, we were wearing short sleeves Sunday and by late evening, it was freezing again. This morning we woke up to snow... but nothing like you're having. It will probably stay below freezing for a day or two, then get warmer.
I would think its a wonder that the eggs don't freeze in their shells before you even get them...
Another question: How long can you keep frozen eggs?
Cold, but not record cold.
Stay warm girlie!
Been chilly here, 20's. We did have one day at 64 F. Set a record but now back to normal temps. We are way behind in snow fall this year. Lake and river are low, bit of a worry as this is when our water table replenishes. Other than frozen water in the chicken coop, really no trouble this year.
So beautiful - I learn so much from your blog thank you so much for that!!
When my students want to fire glass into their pottery I always tell them they need less then they think they do. A little goes a long way and too much will break the clay.
Great info on the eggs, thank you for clarifying!
Hello. I noticed you have a lot of pictures on Instagram with the #urbanfarm. Thing is, I don't see the connection with any of them. Are you in a city?
Hi Anonymous, yep, we live smack dab in the middle of one of Utah's largest cities. We are surrounded by neighborhoods and raise livestock, farm, and compost on less than 2 acres within minutes of the ski resorts. We are about 1/2 mile from a large public park, and within 5 minutes of a large mall and multiple large shopping complexes and freeway on ramps. I usually try to take my photos to minimize the view of our neighbors homes or urban sprawl that surround us. We don't openly advertise our exact location due to attacks by animal activists and vandals.
I see, now I understand. I guess I just was used to seeing urban farms being in places like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and the like. Attacks by animal activists? That sounds like something people would want to read about!
Julia, I'm in the rolling hills of SouthWest Virginia where if you don't like the weather today, stick around, 'cause it's going to change. We had 6 degrees last week and forecast to 60 this week. You are in some beautiful country and your website is delightful. Thanks.
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