With the pollen counts as high they are, I’d like to say that spring has finally sprung. The heavy, bulky, winter clothing has been put away, while a flannel and T-shirt now reside in its place. The long, dreary, dark days of winter have been replaced by the bright, yellow sun, warm breezes, and the birds chirping away in the trees. After a brutal, harsh winter, we welcome spring with open arms, but the beginning of spring indicates the beginning of the busy season.
If y’all had the weather we did this year, then you know one of the first things we had to do was check our fences. From snow to the unrelenting wind, mission “fence check” was born. The first sign of consistent warm weather indicates a thorough fence check to fix any down sections, cut fallen trees, and repair any water gaps in the various pastures cattle vacate during the warm months. So, last week, our farm pup Charli and I jumped on the four-wheeler with all our supplies and set out to check fence.
Our pasture fields are carefully tucked away, up in the mountains. With our property line beginning on the main road and ending at the Appalachian trail, there is a good bit of pasture ground to cover. Even though Charli is used to running around the farm, I still put her on a leash due to the vast amount of ground we had to cover. At just over a year and a half, Charli loves to explore and go new places. So, as I strung up new wire, cut up tree limbs, and surveyed any damage, she stuck to me like glue and chewed on sticks along the way.
This time of year, makes us feel more like a clean-up crew than a farm. I was fortunate to take my best friend, Charli, along with me to conduct and finish these daunting tasks as we prepare for warm weather, green grass, and brighter days ahead. As y’all prepare for the busy season and check your fences, stay safe out there and remember that brighter days are upon us both figuratively and physically as the sun shines bright and warms the barren, winter ground. May this season bring you plenty of yield and good fortune. Stay safe folks!
The author is a sixth-generation farmer and fifth-generation dairy producer in southwest Virginia, where she and her family own and operate a 145-head Holstein dairy. Courtney is involved in agriculture organizations throughout her community and is a graduate of Virginia Tech.
