Winterization tips for your well

By Susan Boser, Extension Educator, Renewable Natural Resources, Penn State

Below are some winter tips from the professionals at the National Groundwater Association.

Protect Your Pump

Many well systems are buried underground, protecting them from the cold. But for well owners with above-ground pumps, action should be taken to keep the system insulated and warm. Constructing a small, insulated enclosure covering the pump will help keep the system above 32 degrees and reduce the risk of freezing and other damage. This small “well house” can save thousands of dollars in repairs and ensure a well operates throughout a cold winter.

Protect Your Pipes

As water freezes, it expands and can burst your pipes, leading to significant damage to your home and well. Frozen pipes are a common winter issue for homeowners but can be avoided with a few easy steps.

Insulate your pipes.

We suggest insulating pipes for houses with piping that runs through nonheated spaces like basements. Wrapping pipes with rubber casings or fiberglass insulation can keep their temperature above freezing and the water flowing.

Inspect your pipes.

Now is a great time to do a general inspection of your water system and piping. Spotting a problem in your system now could save you from a costly problem this winter. Find a certified contractor to schedule an inspection.

Turn off your exterior water and blow out your pipes.

Ideally, your house will have a shut-off valve for its exterior water supply. If so, turn off any water that flows to outside faucets. Once you have turned the water off, drain the remaining water or use an air compressor to blow out the pipes. If you don’t have a shut-off valve, find a local contractor for other options for shutting off exterior water.

Prepare for a Power Outage

While there is little that the homeowner can do to prevent power outages due to winter weather, there are steps to take so you have water to drink while waiting for the lights to come back on.

Always have a portable gas generator and plenty of gas to connect to your pumping system.

Stock up on bottled water before the winter; this way, if there is a prolonged outage, you can still have clean drinking water in the house. Contact a local contractor to learn more about backup generators and other options to keep your water flowing during a power outage.

Penn State Extension has a fact sheet with information on power outages as they affect water systems.

For professional help with any of these winterizing tasks, the educational website, wellowner.org, provides a tool to Find a well contractor in your area.

Start the New Year off Right with your Private Water System

If you haven’t had your water tested for some time, consider the new year to start some yearly testing for some basic parameters like bacteria, total dissolved solids, pH, and nitrates. Private water system owners are responsible for the testing and treatment of their water supplies so consider making it a habit for regular water testing to be sure your water is safe to drink.

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A cowboy is a hired hand on the middle of a horse contemplating the hind end of a cow. – Edward Abbey

Montana Holster & Shoulder Rig

Scott Schmiedeke (406) 240-2572

Victor, MT

Henry Kallis (605) 639-1904

Spearfish, SD

See us on the web: www.tte-inc.com

Farm Bureau members attended national convention in Puerto Rico

Montana Farm Bureau members recently attended the American Farm Bureau Convention January 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Forty-six members had the opportunity to expand their knowledge on agricultural issues, hear nationally acclaimed speakers and attend educational tours ranging from history to agricultural production.

was especially interesting.”

2015 Case 621F, 5125 hours, EROPS with heat and AC, ride control, reversing fan, JRB hydraulic coupler, 3CY bucket, very nice radial tires, has been through our shop, just serviced, the loader is in excellent condition. Located in Spearfish, SD

$109,900

1998 Cat TH183, enclosed cab with heat, unknown hours, 3-way steering, frame tilt, hydraulic fork lift, joy stick controls, nice air filled tires, 48” forks, 48” carriage, 8000 lb. lift, 42-ft. reach, serviced and jos site ready. Located in Spearfish, SD

$47,500

2005 Bobcat S300 skid steer, 3130 hours, enclosed cab with heat and AC, hand/food controls, 2 speed travel, auxiliary electrics, manual coupler, nice tires, 81 hp, 3000 lb. operating lift, 6000 lb. tip load, nice condition, just serviced. Located in Spearfish, SD...$39,500

2011 Gehl RS6-34, 3290 hours, nice foam filled tires, 60” carriage, 48” forks, 3-way steering, frame tilt, 99 horsepower, 6600 lb. lift, 34-ft. reach, weighs 17,500 lbs., very nice condition, just serviced. Located in Spearfish, SD $62,500

MFBF Vice President Gary Heibertshausen served as a voting delegate during the Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates. “When you’re sitting in the delegate session, you see familiar faces and new faces from the different states. You feel proud when you see the Montana resolutions that have made it to the floor,” said the Alzada sheep producer. “Being involved in the delegate session on a national level really broadens your horizons and provides a better understanding of how the entire process works. You discuss points of view you might not have recognized. I feel that being involved in the American Farm Bureau delegate session is as good as it gets for our grassroots organization.”

Heiberthausen followed the Member Engagement track, with one workshop standing out: Talking About Farm Bureau. “Attendees broke into two groups, sharing ideas about talking to people who don’t know what Farm Bureau is, that we’re the largest non-profit agricultural membership organization. It’s crucial for members who believe in Farm Bureau to learn how to talk to others,” Heibertshausen said.

The couple toured the Bayer facility and a fruit farm. “The Bayer facility was very modern, focusing on soybeans and cotton. We walked through their greenhouses to learn how Bayer selects their plants,” said Courville. “The fruit farm has 330 acres with pineapples and plantains. The owners explained how they branched out into agritourism. We learned that the average family farm is 10-20 acres, and in Puerto Rico, you can make a living on that small acreage, especially if you incorporate agri-tourism.”

Beth Blevins, who serves on the MFBF Women’s Leadership Committee, found the messages from the general sessions to be inspiring. She said Bert Jacobs, co-founder of Life is Good®, had an excellent message about having a positive attitude no matter what life throws at you.

“It was also inspirational to hear from Big Kenny Alphin, of the country music duo Big & Rich. He is the owner of an 11th generation cattle farm in Virginia, where his family still raises hay and cattle. Like Jacobs, he told at a great story about following your dreams, never giving up and helping others.”

2013 Case 621F, 4655 hours, enclosed cab with heat and AC, ride control, reversing fan, JRB hydraulic coupler, auxiliary hydraulics, 3 CY bucket, very nice radial tires, has been through our shop, all repairs have been done, just serviced, the loader is in excellent condition and job site ready. Located in Spearfish, SD.

$109,900

2008 Cat 924H, 9840 hours, enclosed cab with heat and AC, cloth air ride seat, auxiliary hydraulics, hydraulic quick coupler, 3 CY bucket, pallet forks, this loader is in excellent condition, serviced and job site ready. Located in Spearfish, SD.

Saturday of the AFBF Convention was dedicated to the Young Farmer and Rancher competitive events including the Discussion Meet, Achievement Award and Excellence Award. This was the first year that Nick Courville attended the national convention. Courville, a Charlo cattle rancher, was elected as the Montana Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee Chair in November. He and his wife, Randi, watched Montana contestant Mark Boyd compete in the first round of the Discussion Meet, and Courville served as a time keeper for the second Discussion Meet round. Visiting with other young farmers during the events proved valuable.

Blevins, who is a large animal vet and raises Black Angus cattle, was impressed that USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke at Monday’s closing session. “He noted that although 2022 was a record income for some sectors in agriculture, more than 50 percent of farms and ranches depend on off-farm income to stay operational, which is concerning and needs to be addressed. He said the main focus for the Department of Agriculture is getting a farm bill passed this year.

“It was good to be with other farmers and ranchers facing similar challenges; getting the resources we need at this convention to be successful is a real help,” said Blevins. “Thanks to the Puerto Rico Farm Bureau for being such a gracious host.”

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$94,900

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$99,500

“We visited with dairy, soybean and corn farmers,” said Courville. “We attended the Celebration of Grassroots Reception which featured food from different parts of the country held at the trade show on Saturday. We heard informative speakers on the Cultivation Stage including ‘Fireside Chats’ with two social media agricultural influencers who did a live podcast from the stage, and a conversation with the CEO of the Native American Agriculture Fund. Since both Randi and I grew up on the reservation, this

A priest decides to call in sick and skip church on Sunday in order to play a round of golf. As the priest is about to tee off, an angel in heaven asks God, “Are you going to let this man of the cloth get away with this?” “Of course not,” God says, “Just keep watching.” However just moments later, the priest hits a booming tee shot that bounces off of a rock, then a tree, only to land on the green and roll slowly into the cup for a hole in one. “Why would you let him do that?” the astounded angel asks. God laughs and says “Just think about it. Who is he going to be able to tell?”