Wednesday 6 August 2014

stock stock and more stock work................

Gosh we have been doing lots of stock work in the last few weeks........esp the last week (weekends mean nothing here when the work is on).......after the cows at home we moved back to the sheep..........thankfully my paid town work is flexible so I have hardly worked my normal days for months..........
was scanned all our ewes and what was not in lamb were trucked out on Sunday along with most of our lambs.........we have kept the merino ewe lambs for now....but if we don't get rain they may have to go too........Anyway Sunday morning was one of the coldest we have had this winter............Sat arvo was not too bad so we didn't think to put the motor bikes away...............when we went out at daylight the bikes were covered in frost...........OMG it was so hard to clear off the seat.................
by the time the sun came up I was an icicle...............my legs thru my jeans were a cross between burning and numb.............thank goodness I had gloves on my hands..........
some of the lambs in the yards.............
the truck loaded................good to see them gone.............they weren't ready to go as they are not "finished" (looking bigger, fatter and great for the market) but we have no choice as we don't have the paddock feed and we have no grain supplies to feed the sheep..........we could really be giving our lambing ewes a bit of extra food at the moment but we don't have anything to give................
sadly the market was CRAP............really CRAP.........
Once the sheep were gone we moved onto cattle again.............and another property............again no feed with no rain forecast.............so off loading stock to hopefully hang on to the breeders for longer................
there was lots of clouds kicking around the sky..........none dropping rain on us though.............
It was pretty warm yesterday 21degC I think.................gradually peeling of the coat and another layer and another layer as it warms up.................
Some of the steers for sale today...........not the best pic but I had to leave the boys to it so didn't get any more...........and once again these guys are going well before they should be finished................could do with another 100 kgs on them...........that also means a lot less income.........but no feed means we have to cut our losses and manage as best we can...............I know this looks like we have lots of money coming in this week.............but who know when we have more income.............budgeting is a nightmare...........
Anyway off to paid work today, dust free and constant temp..........nice...............and the weekend off to play...............
Catch you later
Chookyblue

19 comments:

Cheryll said...

Yes you certainly work hard in the country... feeding the nation and all. Great work!
Still have my fingers crossed for rain too! :)

Melody said...

It certainly is a tough life

Anonymous said...

Hi Chooky,boy its gotta improve soon for you guys ,farming can be so gut wrenching when nature doesnt play fair,fingers crossed for rain for you guys,enjoy your break Chooky and take care.xx

retdairyqueen said...

Life on the land can be tough
Love your photos
Will try to send some of our rain to you Pity it did not come where it is needed and not here where we have had enough for the moment xx

Susan said...

Hard work for you all. Hope it rains and the situation improves soon. X

Fairy Floss Stitches said...

I don't envy your bum on that bike seat!.. makes me shiver just thinking about it!.. great pics Xx L

Susan said...

:-(
Hang in there...special weekend coming up...

Cath said...

Its a tough life out there Chooky and you, more often than not, have a smile on your face. that is strength of character that alot of people just don't have. Everything is crossed for you to get some rain.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Huge frost here thi morning...nice to see your working hard before you play all weekend....xx

Leanne said...

I wish I could send you some rain. We have had some freezing mornings also. Love seeing the farm pictures.

Pinnylea Creations said...

Enjoy being dust free and a controlled temperature while you can! Wish I could send the rain to exactly where you need it. Have a fun weekend xx

suz said...

I truly admire you and your family. Farming of any sort is a hard-knock life. Wish I could send you some of the rain we've been having here in New England. We've been inundated with snow in the winter and rain in the summer, which has it's own share of problems for farmers - our really cold winter last year delayed fruit trees and berry bushes and killed off a lot of trees and bushes. Harvest won't be what it's been, but we try to go to the local farmer's markets even when the prices are high.

Googy Girl said...

That seat looks a bit frosty, must be bl--dy cold there in the mornings. Not much rain around anywhere even Newie has been a bit dry lately

Googy Girl said...

That seat looks a bit frosty, must be bl--dy cold there in the mornings. Not much rain around anywhere even Newie has been a bit dry lately

Susie said...

Never a dull day is there? I don't mind the cold nor the heat. Just it's extremes.

gracie said...

You have true spirit....

Jewells said...

oh..my heart goes out to you.. we have 3 steers on a parcel of land "to keep me happy" and they are now coming to me when they hear me as they want more to eat than the slim pickings in the paddock... I can only imagine what it is like for your family who make a living from stock on the land!

marina said...

sounds like a heartbreaking business you're in.
Hope those clouds bring the rain you are waiting for.

Maddy said...

Looking forward to by pass road going around town, hopefully this will make for a safer journey for the animals not having to go down the range. It is not an easy life you lead.