After the snow moved through last week, the scurs dialed the Weather Eye in for another week. Can we put our long winter gatkes away or not just yet? Starting Thursday, mostly sunny with highs in the low 40’s and lows in the low 20’s. Mostly sunny Friday with highs in the mid-30’s and lows in the upper teens. Sunny on Saturday with highs in the low 40’s and lows in the low 30’s. Sunday, sunny with highs in the low 50’s and lows in the low 30’s. Mostly cloudy on Monday with a slight chance of rain. Highs in the upper 50’s with lows in the upper 30’s. Tuesday, mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the upper 20’s. Sunny on Wednesday with highs around in the upper 30’s and lows in the upper 20’s. We’ll see the sun rise before 7 a.m. CST on February 24th and just over 11 hours of daylight on the 26th. The sun will set on the 29th at 6 p.m. The normal high for February 26th is 30 and the normal low is 13. The scurs have retrieved their patio furniture after last weekend’s strong winds. Without shoveling snow, need to get exercise somehow.
We have a Full Moon slated for Saturday the 24th. This one is most commonly known as the Full Snow Moon for the heavy snows typical in this month. It isn’t quite the snowiest month here as that honor goes to December, with February coming in second and January a close third. Some of the Native American tribes in the Northeast called it the Hunger Moon as their winter food supplies began to dwindle. Closer to home the Ojibwe called this Sucker Moon, named for the suckers running in the rivers and streams. The Sioux noted the awakening of animals from their winter slumber, denoting this as the Raccoon Moon. At the ranch, we’re always hoping it is not a raccoon, opossum or particularly a skunk moon. There are many roadkill specimens to choose from. We typically note it as The Moon when Temperatures Warm. Or at least they’re supposed to.
I keep hearing from various individuals about how dry the soil is. While we are technically in the middle of a drought, we are far from bone dry. Rainfall that fell back in September and October helped replenish the upper soil profile. Significant rainfall from December also added to that total. Unlike last year, we’re not accumulating much snowfall. However, much like last year, soils have not frozen very deeply for very extended periods of time. Much of the snow we have received should have made its way into the soil profile. Frost depth at the SROC was still measured at 3” as of February 15th.
However, with warm temperatures since that measurement and even warmer temperatures forecast, there’s no doubt that precipitation, whether liquid or frozen, stands a good chance to accumulate for the upcoming growing season. The last snow contained .2” - .3” of moisture depending on the location. Virtually none of it ran off. While this isn’t good for rivers and streams (think barge navigation on the Mississippi), we are far from being in dire straits to start the cropping season yet. In fact, some would argue we’re right where we’d like to be given the calendar date. Some gas in the tank and some room to accommodate additional precip if and when it comes.
The warm, dry winter continues to be a godsend at the ranch for lambing season as well. Birthing lambs well above zero makes us want to pinch ourselves after last year’s February weather. It had started to warm up towards mid-month; then it lowered the boom. After 14” of snow between the 22nd and 24th, temperatures plunged below zero, and it became hell on earth. Blowing the yard out three times in one day to do chores and get from the house to the barns in between was some kind of a record, not one we want to repeat or break anytime soon. Still, we survived and lived to tell about it. Like last year, it appears we are about due for an explosion of new lambs about the same time of the month. Coincidence? I think not.
Luckily this go round we’re more prepared, with the creep feeder established and one group of ewes with lambs already moved from the lambing barn to the loafing area. Eight ewes have come in and so far, all twins with only one single. This winter has definitely been kind to them. It’s like we’re lambing in Indiana or Illinois. Even the brood ewes have ventured out into the pasture to sample some sprigs of greening grass. Blue skies with a temp of 51 on Monday; can’t say as I blame them. While some curse a warm, dry winter, livestock producers might beg to differ. Not to say there aren’t some minor trials and tribulations. We’re usually greeted by Miss Piggy whenever we come through the gate with feed or water buckets, pans, or hay. She’s about two axe-handles wide and good at bowling you over to get at whatever you’re carrying. She shucked her identification tag, so we’re not exactly sure who she is, but one thing we’re certain of, she’s very annoying.
The snowblower remains forlornly high and dry in front of the barn; I’m fine with that. While blowing snow isn’t the worst job in the world, it’s still trumped by not having to mess with it at all. Likewise with cleaning the feed lot. I cleaned it out once earlier this winter out of necessity and haven’t had to do it since. Hoping that record remains intact. I had hoped perhaps I wouldn’t need the tire chains on the tractor either, but it was a good thing to put them on just in case. One never knows when Old Man Winter will drop by unannounced.
Poppy made the most of the snow while it lasted. It wasn’t two seconds upon her getting out the door and she was doing zoomies, leaving a rooster tail of snow behind her. She had to make it snappy though as by Monday afternoon, her snow was all but gone. Not to worry, however, as I’d be surprised if we don’t see measurable snow again. One thing about it, she can launch herself off the back porch now to chase her squirrels without slipping and falling. I can relate.
See you next week…real good then.