Well, before I get into all that, I'll tell you about the tractors we currently have.
For a large tractor, we have a Case that is big (obvously) and red (another given) and has a closed cab. It also has air conditioning (hooray!!) and a tape player and radio. Actually, the tape player may be in the combine. I'm not sure.
And we also have a thirty year old John Deere that's still going well (Nothing runs like a Deere!), but we're replacing that one because it may not run so well in a few years. It has no cab and no musical players.
And then we have a small Case tractor that we use for plowing snow and mowing the lawn. Yes, I'm spoiled with my mowing tools.
Right now we have three tractors on the farm that we are testing. We need to know which one is easiest to operate for both my little brother and our manager as well as which one is best suited to clearing out the barns after a cycle. Handily, we're shipping the chickens out tonight and will be able to try them tomorrow.
The first tractor that I shall mention is another Case and is thus red (with a little black). Michael seems to like it. I think it's his second choice.
Then we have another John Deere which is green and yellow. Michael doesn't like the way the controls are and it is his least favourite of the tractors.
And then we have a Kubota of the typical orange colour. Michael likes this one the best of all. For him the controls are right where he likes them and he thinks it'll be easy to use.
Of course, all these opinians Michael has will be tested tomorrow when he (hopefully) gets to drive all of them. He's tried the Case very briefly and is excited for the rest. I'm not sure how much our manager has driven the tractors, but he's certainly used them more than Michael!
Now, in other news Rosie the Horse is getting rather porky! I found a chart on how to try body scoring on your horse and what sort of things to look for. Fat deposits on shoulders: check. Fat deposits on rump: check. A bit of a pot belly: getting there. Fat deposits on neck: not nearly as much as this time last year. And another test you do is to pet your horse with a bit of pressure (much like you would pet your kitty or doggie) and see if you can feel the horse's ribs and almost count them. You should not be able to see them, though they will be more visible in breed like Thoroughbreds. But Rosie is not a TB. She is a Morgan/Quarter Horse cross. And I had to use massage strength pressure before I was able to feel my dear Rosie's ribs. Terrific. I'm going to have a job getting her back in shape in spring.
I don't ride her in winter muh because it gets so darn icey around here. All the fields are in a slight dip and catch all melting snow. When it freezes the ice is treacherous. So I prefer that neither Rosie or I break any bones and stay home, limiting her feed to an amount that hopefully keeps her from becoming way too fat.
I would ride her more in the winter if I had a covered or indoor arena, but there's like, only three of those things within a ten km radius from our house and I don't know any of the people who have them.
And so that is what is going on! We are getting a tractor and Rosie is getting fat!
See y'all next time!
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