So This Is Winter?
It’s hard to believe that it is already winter and the year already feels like it’s off to a flying start with a race to the finish line! The only thing is that this is a much different winter than our more recent winters on the the high plains of Colorado. Last year around this time, we were struggling with temperatures making it into the teens during the daytime, and those nights were oh so cold with snow on the ground and things frozen solid with subzero overnight temperatures. Most of our goats had already kidded by this time but there were still a few early spring surprises.
But this year I am asking myself if this is really winter since we’ve had very little snow to date, and our daytime temperatures are more reminiscent of spring with highs in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. And what’s even more perplexing is that none of our goats have kidded yet! At least they seem to be waiting for a bit warmer weather than years past which I am in many ways grateful for. Oh those frozen midnight pen checks and 5 gallon bucketfuls of warm water seem like a distant memory, But as goats often do, they seem to surprise you on the days and nights when the weather is at its worst.
So far this winter, with very little snow and actually a few rain showers instead, things have been relatively quiet. However, our weather can turn in an instant and over the years we have seen some brutal snow storms the closer we get to spring. I do prefer snow over rain for the reason that snow is actually more of a drought buster than rain which seems to quickly evaporate. And we definitely need the moisture. So I will be thankful for anything we receive moisture wise out of simple fear that we could return to a severe drought condition without it. So for now I am simply asking myself, “So this is winter?”.
So far I’ve been able to get some much needed work done on the GoatWorld site, and in particular, the GoatWorld Livestock & Supplies Store. In my last update I begrudgingly had to raise the prices of a few items simply because the prices on some products have increased. It also seems that the shortages of some products over the last couple of years have disappeared. I think a lot of the supply chain issues have been cleared up for many other things as well such as those items you find in the grocery store. Remembering that it wasn’t all that long ago that there was a long line of cargo ships waiting to port and unload. Let’s hope and pray we don’t have to deal with those issues again anytime soon!
In talking with many people across our great nation I am discovering that a lot of folks are worried about how the shortages we dealt with affected them, and how they are diversifying to become more self sufficient. While the majority of people I talk with raise goats, they are beginning to show more interest in other classes of livestock as well such as chickens. And I’m sure most of you will remember the chicken issues and what’s more, the price of eggs. A few chickens are always worth their weight in gold on a farm or ranch. A few chickens in the goat pen cleaning up has always been a bonus for us.
So perhaps it’s a good time for us all to reflect and plan accordingly for the coming months ahead, because we never know what’s around the corner, and self sufficiency just may be the key to surviving physically and financially. Developing plans for your garden and what you can plant now is planning for that uncertain future, I don’t often delve into this side of agriculture openly, but it is something I plan to develop and add to GoatWorld as we go along through this year. More importantly, developing and implementing a plan for everything on the farm or ranch to work in both unison and harmony is my personal goal for 2024.
Part of my personal plan is to grow some crops for not only my family, but my goats and other livestock as well. I’ve already got a good compost pile started with the soiled hay those little darlings waste. Learning to work with nature usually results in nature giving back to you.
We’ll be breaking ground for a new greenhouse very soon, and we are looking forward to see just how well we can manage to make it work. Our greenhouse will largely be a DIY project from scratch since in our windy environment, the small kits and hoop houses with tarps just don’t make it through a prolonged windstorm. We’ve settled on a plan for starting small scale in the greenhouse while still working a conventional garden with plenty of goodies and treats planted for the goats. Pumpkins are definitely on the list for not only their pie making qualities, but for the benefits feeding them to the goats as well.
It’s getting late here and I hear the winds ramping up outside. I’ve just seen the latest weather forecast models and the trend looks favorable for some rain and snow towards the end of the week. This is likely a result of the Pineapple Express that California and the folks out west are experiencing. Rain is good but too much definitely can be detrimental when you are farming and ranching. Hopefully I given y’all a tidbit or two to think about on your on farms and ranches. Until next time, be safe and spend some quality time with your goats!
Gary