How To Stay Busy On Your Farm During Winter

Winter tends to be a natural slow season for farmers, but there are ways to make the most of the inevitable work lull. In fact, winter is a prime season for getting caught up on the various tasks that have been put on the back burner. We've created the following guide to staying busy on your farm during winter, helping you decide how to maximize your newfound time. If you want more suggestions or want to shop farm equipment for sale near Houston, Texas, head over to Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor. Our dealership is based in Sealy, Texas, and we also serve those in Houston and Victoria.

Choose Winter-Friendly Crops

Not all crops grow well in the winter, but some can thrive. See if there are crops that could work well for your given land, then get planting. The right option for you depends on you land size, soil condition, location, time commitment, and budget. Common winter crops include cabbages, carrots, buckwheat, hardy grasses, and winter rye.

Some winter crops will grow even better when they are grown in a greenhouse. In some cases, all you need is a simple canvas shelter. In other cases, a glass-windowed structure will work best. You may also want to invest in row covers. Research the winter crops you want to grow and see what will help them thrive.

Check Your Farm Equipment

Your farm equipment spent the last several weeks working hard. Now is the perfect time to inspect each model for general wear and tear - as well as any issues lurking underneath the surface. Even the highest quality farm equipment will suffer from usage over time and need proactive maintenance to return to its optimal operation.

Give each piece of farm equipment a thorough inspection. Look over every system, from the braking system to the engine. See if you notice any potential issues and get those addressed as soon as possible. Remember that small maintenance problems now can easily snowball into more severe issues later (and cost you more in repair fees).

Plus, now is the perfect time for your farm equipment to sit in a repair shop. You won't be needing your farm equipment until spring, so get those service department appointments scheduled as soon as possible.

Inspect Your Shelters

Buildings can wear down over time as well. Maybe there's a crack in the roof that causes leaks when it rains. Maybe a broken window is letting in debris and cold wind. Whatever the situation, it's helpful to uncover it and get it fixed as soon as possible. That way, the shelters can provide the best possible protection to your animals and stored items.

Review Your Records

Farming life can involve plenty of records, which can be tough to keep up on during harvest season. The slower pace of winter lends itself well to getting caught up. Look over your bookkeeping records, review the data you've gathered, and update as needed.

Cull Your Animals

The end of the calendar year is a perfect time to take stock of your animals. Think about the ideal number that you can efficiently and successfully maintain. If that number is lower than your current number of animals, it's time to cull the extra animals. It'll help reduce upkeep costs, saving you money next year. It will also generate some extra income when you sell the animals. You'll need to decide how many animals to sell, which animals to sell, and whether you want to have them butchered or sold. This will help you better take care of your remaining animals next year, which is why this is an important yearly decision.

We hope you found this guide helpful. For more information or to shop farm equipment for sale near Houston, Texas, visit Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor. Our friendly staff is happy to assist with anything you need, from suggesting farm equipment models to replacing broken parts. Our dealership is located in Sealy, Texas. We are also proud to serve those in Houston and Victoria, Texas.