Owners and operators of Caper Farms in Milford, the couple felt the wrath of winter in mid-February when the roof of one of their barns collapsed under the weight of the snow.
“It was disheartening to say the least,” Joseph Heukshorst, 42, said. “There were 20 cows under it. We had two fire departments down and a bunch of neighbour farmers and neighbours.”
Despite all the help, the Heukshorts lost nine of their 130 milk cows. One died in the collapse and eight others had to be put down because of broken backs and other injuries.
Heukshorst estimates the damage at about $1 million, some of which he is waiting to recoup from his insurance company.
Meanwhile, mountains of snow are now holding up the Heukhorsts’ regular spring farm activities.
“It’s going to be very late if things don’t turn around pretty soon,” Heukshorst said. “There is a lot of snow on the fields. You can’t spread manure or you can’t do anything on the fields. It’s just a waiting game right now.”
Source - http://thechronicleherald.ca/
