The work of farmers does not stop in winters; in fact they work hard throughout the year. In winters due to cold temperature and rains it can be a real struggle for farmers to cope up with these problems.
This article will help the farmers to face all the winter challenges, prepare their farms in winters, protect their crops, and thus surviving the winter chill in a profitable manner.
Beneficial Winter Tips for Farmers
Here are some helpful tips for farmers to help increase farm income;
1. Cover Plants and Use Cover Crops
Covering the plants will help in the creation of heat around them. Covered crops cover the soil and provide root systems for microbes beneath the surface to gain and lose nutrients. Crops that feed the soil should be grown in areas of your farm that do not grow edible crops.
Wet soil loses soil nourishment in the winter, but cover crops keep the soil alive and healthy. In really cold weather, install row covers directly over the plants, followed by another section over the hoops for more protection.
2. Avoid Ice Water
One piece of important advice for livestock farmers is to avoid using chilly water. Even though livestock requires a lot of water throughout the winter, chilly water will not help. Use larger water tanks with more thermal mass. This will aid in the retention of water heat by keeping it warm.
3. Avoid the Wind
Plant thick edges of trees along your fencerow or use physical barriers like barns or gates with blankets so that animals can get protected from the wind.
4. Dry Shelter
A dry place is the best for livestock. Provide shelter for your animals. The shelter should match the herd size such as mobile shelter or a small barn.
5. Hardy Breeds
Prefer breeding or purchasing tougher animal stocks. One word of caution: while cattle can be moved north and west, they should never be moved south and east. For example, if you want a hardier cow, don't go too far north, otherwise you may have problems in the summer.
Concentrate on genetics, not location.
6. Feed Hay
Feed hay early to retain better grass during the winter. Stockpile your fall grasses.
7. Rotate Animals Regularly
Rotate your animals as much as possible in winters rather than making them stay in one place for too long.
8. Night Feeding
Feeding cows at night during severe winters will increase heat production during the night by the activity of eating and ruminating.
9. Supplemental Feed
Always keep the supplemental feed. Protecting feed is a beneficial step that should be taken.
10. Birthing Centers
Prepare a warm, safe spot if the birth of baby animals is expected in extreme winters. Keep straw for bedding and makeshift shelter.
11. Proper Ventilation
The barn has a lot of moisture, ammonia, germs, and dust. Any barn where you intend to put animals for the winter must have adequate ventilation, or the animals may suffer from serious skin, eye, and respiratory problems.
12. Exercise
Exercise is good for animals’ health, muscles, and general well-being to get them moving. Hence it is necessary.
13. Hydrate
It is essential for a farmer to drink plenty of water when working outside in the winter, as dehydration is a common problem. Bring coffee or cocoa in a thermos. A hot beverage can warm you up.
14. Nutritious Food
It is important for a farmer to fuel his body with nutritious food and healthy meals.
15. First-Aid Kit
It is essential for farmers to carry a first-aid kit, a pocket knife, a headlamp, a radio, and a cell phone.
16. Extra Clothing
A farmer should dress in layers in winters and also carry extra warm clothes to regulate body temperature and stay comfortable. It is easier for a farmer to work if he is more comfortable.
Thus, farmers should follow these guidelines while stepping out for work in winters.
