January 26, 2005

Good afternoon everyone! It’s been awhile since I checked in. We have been so busy, both at home and at work. I'm taking a break at work. I just went on one of my rampages. We were told several weeks ago that USDA agencies will probably have their administrative budgets cut by one-third. Also heard President Bush, during his press conference, this a.m. reiterate that federal budget will be cut. Anyway, I have been “assigned” to be the agency watch dog. I sent out a long e-mail last week telling people to quit using Federal Express unless “absolutely” necessary. So this a.m. we received a Fedex from one of our field offices. (aarrgh!!!!!!) Okay enough of that. It is interesting hearing all the scuttlebutt about what may be happening, USDA wise, in the future. The majority of people are pretty much saying that all funding including subsidy programs will be reduced or cut out totally.

We are having one of those farming “is this really all worth it?” times. Joe and I believe this is the worst lambing season we’ve had since we’ve been married. We started out with 4 ewes that aborted their lambs about 5 days early. They were either born dead or died shortly after been born because they were undeveloped. We sent several different sets of the dead lambs to Univ of Nebraska Diagnostic Lab and have not yet heard from them. All the ewes that aborted were first time deliveries and we are wondering if the vibrio vaccine we used was bad. And then we’ve had a rash of lambs being born either backwards or heads twisted, etc. We did use a different ram but the ewes are all big and healthy and older. Our percentage rate this year is not good. On a positive note (knocking on wood), the ewes that are delivering have good utters and good milk and seem to be doing well as mothers.

Kathy Jo – sounds like you can relate. Hope all your new critters are doing well.

Two of our goats have delivered. One had a set of twins and one had a single. We borrowed a boar billy goat so they are half boar. They are soooooo cute.

Abby, the border collie was due to deliver on Monday. Joe built her a little prairie hay dog house/delivery room in the calf barn. I should take a picture of it. It is probably warmer in there than it is in our house. We thought she was going to deliver last night as she was acting very strange and at one time was under the corn crib and would not come out. I had to beg her to come to me and Joe had to carry her to the barn but as of this a.m. she was still pregnant. We have already sold two of her puppies. I wonder if motherhood will make her grow up. She is such a “wild thing”. We would not let her help us with sheep feeding this week as we didn't want her to get hurt and she acted so disappointed.

Yesterday temps were in the upper 50's. Most of the snow is now melted - lots of mud everywhere. It is getting colder today. Winds are out of the north and feels damp out.

Kathleen – hope your finger is doing better. I’ve done that before – ouch!

Well I'd better get back to work - break is over. Everyone take care.