Cold

Okay, it's cold.  Really, really cold.  And today the wind is blowing the snow we got yesterday into whiteout conditions.  When I was out filling the cattle tank this morning the cows were crowded into a corner of the paddock with their backsides to the wind.  One of the horses was even packed in with the cows.  This year's weather has been a culling year on local wildlife.  We left a 10ac field fallow for the animals but for the last month or more it is only providing minimal cover since it's filled with snow.  Only the plants that are above 3' are showing which isn't providing any cover.  There are a few holes in the tall grasses and forbes but there are very few.  The big bluestem that we time our grazing to optimize is totally snowed under too.  Acres of animal cover is of little use when we have this kind of snow.  I'm always amazed that anything survives this kind of winter, that doesn't migrate or hibernate, but in the spring there will be survivors.  fewer survivors and only the strongest will be around in the spring after this winter.