The first real snow of the season just happened last week. Heavy snow on top of soil that is wet in places is becoming common each winter. The difficulty is that in addition to the fact that major snow events here on the prairie seem not to have much of an endpoint in terms of further snow and blowing and drifting, when snow must be cleared from a earthen surface often as much gravel is cleared as snow especially at first. This is especially noticeable when the clearing is done by pushing and stacking as we do, but it is also a problem for snow blower operation. I have replaced more than a few shear pins and once the entire gearbox drive in snow blowing equipment due to this.
European farmers have responded to muddy conditions by getting their working areas much more compact and paving them. Looks like a good idea. Won't be cheap.
On the plus side the 30 acres of Kernza I helped Andy to plant last summer is now covered with a protective blanket of pretty dense snow, ensuring survival. Hope the wind stays down a little bit so it lasts for awhile.
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