Winter Weather in Wisconsin
This week has been a rough one here in Wisconsin. You might’ve heard about the snowfall in Louisiana and Texas, which, honestly, we would have gladly welcomed. Instead, we faced record-low temperatures, with a wind chill dipping to a bone-chilling -30°F. The extreme cold created quite a few challenges, and we had to scramble to ensure our animals had water and food.
Here in Wisconsin, we’re no strangers to tough weather. Taking care of the farm is always a priority, no matter what the temps are. We usually try to stay ahead of the game, being proactive and prepared for whatever winter throws at us. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, fate steps in, and suddenly the animals need more food, and the water task becomes even more demanding.
Our problem began when we couldn’t transport the water we needed. First, the tractor wouldn’t start, and when we finally got it going, it began overheating. We decided to switch to the truck, but our trusty 2002 F350—while reliable most of the time—chose this cold snap to retire its failing starter. So, we found ourselves without a way to feed or water our animals.
In true farm fashion, we spent the next few days working on our equipment. After a lot of trial and error, we managed to warm up the tractor enough to get it running, allowing us to start feeding hay. However, the tractor needed breaks between bales to cool down, so we had to pace ourselves to avoid further damage. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked for the time being, and we’re planning to have it fixed by this weekend.
As for the truck, April spent several hours replacing the starter. Thankfully, we had some rechargeable hand warmers that she could use to keep her fingers warm while working. She said they were a lifesaver, offering both comfort and time savings during those cold hours.
While there were definitely moments during the cold snap when we wondered if life in town might be a little easier, we wouldn’t trade what we do for anything. We’re honored to provide our customers with healthy, lean beef, and the good times on the ranch always outweigh the bad.
Savor. Flourish. Enjoy the ride—and don’t forget to close the gate.
Trevor Moller, April Johnson
And the team at Stock and Steeds